GirledUp Ghana and Swiss Embassy Organise STEM Mentorship Bootcamp for Young Girls

GirledUp Ghana, a non-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring and empowering young girls, has partnered with the Swiss Embassy in Ghana to organise a STEM Mentorship Bootcamp for girls from underserved communities.

The event, held as part of GirledUp Ghana’s “Year of Impact,” also served as a platform to launch its mentorship model for 2025.

Founder of GirledUp Ghana, Dr Justina Onumah, speaking at the event on Wednesday in Accra, highlighted the organisation’s mission to inspire young girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as other professional fields.

“GirledUp Ghana, our non-profit arm, seeks to guide young girls through mentorship and capacity-building programmes. Our goal is not just to expand the STEM pipeline but also to help these girls identify their passions and provide the guidance they need to succeed,” she said.

She explained that the mentorship programme, designed to run over a year, pairs accomplished professionals in STEM and other fields with mentees from underserved schools, emphasising on the importance of building the confidence of these young girls, many of whom lack exposure to opportunities.

The bootcamp she further added, marks the adoption of the first basic school by GirledUp Ghana in the Greater Accra region. While the initial focus is on schools in Accra, the organisation plans to expand to rural communities and underserved schools nationwide. For senior high schools, the programme remains open to students from various institutions.

Dr Onumah also outlined the mentorship model, which includes monthly sessions, a mid-year review, and a final evaluation in December. “Our mentors will guide these girls through personal development, help them make informed choices, and provide the tools they need to navigate their journey. Monitoring and evaluation are integral to ensuring the programme’s success,” she explained.

She said “With continued support, GirledUp Ghana aims to bridge the gap in educational and professional opportunities for girls in underserved communities.”

Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Benin, and Togo, Ambassador Simone Giger in her address commended the initiative, expressing her delight at being part of the event. She said “I have been a girl myself, and as the mother of a 10-year-old daughter, bridging the gender gap in STEM is a matter that resonates deeply with me.”

She shared a personal anecdote about overcoming stereotypes during her childhood in Switzerland. “I grew up believing that boys were naturally better at mathematics. This belief held me back until I decided to challenge it. With effort, I achieved excellent results in mathematics, which taught me a valuable lesson, stereotypes are not reality. You can achieve anything with passion and determination,” she said.

“There are many biases and stereotypes about what women and men are naturally talented in. Please disregard them. Believe in yourselves and seek out mentors and allies to guide you on your journey. Mentorship can not only boost your technical skills but also help build essential social skills,” she stated.

She concluded by encouraging the girls to remain committed to their goals, saying, “Together, we can ensure that girls in STEM are no longer the exception but the norm. I look forward to seeing the incredible journey that begins here today.”

Sharing her growth as a part of the organisation, a Senior High School student, Lisa, recounted how her initial fear of speaking up and pursuing her ambitions transformed after meeting mentors through GirlEdUp. “When I first joined, I wouldn’t even mention my name to strangers. But through encouragement and mentorship, I’ve grown to believe in my abilities. Now, I speak in front of my class and share ideas confidently,” she said.

Another SHS student, Priscilla, shared her journey of overcoming self-doubt and embracing STEM despite initial struggles. “I didn’t like science because it seemed complicated. But through GirlEdUp, I attended events like the STEM fair, where I saw practical applications of science. That inspired me to explore my potentia,” she said.

BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG