News
2-day workshop on GEII held in Accra
A two-day training workshop on Gender Equality, Inclusivity, and Intersectionality (GEII) has being held in Accra.
The training aimed to equip stakeholders with tools to break these barriers and create an open, diverse, and equitable research environment.
The workshop focused on training participants to recognise unconscious biases, adopt gender-sensitive research methods, and ensure inclusivity in research teams.
The Director of Research, Statistics, and Information Management at the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST), Mr Cephas Adjei Mensah, emphasised that gender considerations should not be treated as side issues but should be central to research and policy-making.
He noted that Ghana’s progress in science, technology, and innovation (STI) depends on ensuring that diverse perspectives were represented.
Mr Mensah stressed that persistent gender gaps in research and evaluation hinder innovation and equitable development.
He said current Gender Equality and Inclusivity (GEI) Project, running from 2023 to 2025, aims to enhance women’s roles in research, expand inclusivity beyond gender, and integrate GEI principles into research design.
“A key aspect of the training was to build the capacity of evaluators to assess research proposals with a gender and inclusivity lens,” he said.
Dr Wilhemina Quaye, Director of CSIR-STEPRI, highlighted the critical funding challenges in research and development in Ghana.
She noted that while the government was supposed to allocate at least one per cent of GDP to research, the current figure stands at only 0.3 per cent.
“This funding gap affects both research institutions and academic bodies, making external support from initiatives like SGCI crucial,” she said.
She emphasized that research is not just about creating knowledge but about engaging with society to find solutions to real-world problems.
Dr Quaye also stressed the importance of science communication, urging the media to help disseminate research findings.
She pointed out that science must not remain in institutions but should be shared with industry players, civil society, and the public to ensure that research innovations are applied in everyday life.
Dr Quaye emphasized that intergenerational knowledge transfer is essential, as the expertise of experienced researchers must not be lost when they retire.
“The integration of young people, women, and underrepresented groups into research teams was identified as a key step towards sustainable development,” she explained
Participants expressed their commitment to integrating GEI principles into their work and ensuring that scientific research in Ghana benefits all sectors of society.
By Agnes Opoku Sarpong
News
Government, GoldFields,reach agreement on Damang Mine
The Government of Ghana and Goldfields Ghana Limited have reached an amicable agreement on a transitional plan for the Damang Mine.
The operational modalities of the transition involve issuing a new 12-month mining lease to Goldfields’ subsidiary, Abosso Goldfields Limited, pending parliamentary ratification in
May 2025.
Under the new arrangement, Goldfields will resume open-pit mining during the transition period, safeguarding jobs and conducting feasibility studies to establish Damang’s reserves and mine life.
At the same time, the processing of existing stockpiles will continue under the supervision of a joint management team composed of representatives from the Government of Ghana
and Goldfields. The two parties will work in good faith to secure a successful transition and eventual transfer of a viable mine to Ghanaian ownership.
Both parties have agreed to advance discussions in good faith on the renewal of the lease for the Tarkwa mine, due in 2027, and pledged to work together to enhance Ghana’s
potential in the mining sector as a favourable investment destination,
News
Ophelia Crossland appointed as new Creative Director of Nineteen57
In an exciting turn for Ghana’s fashion industry, celebrated designer Ophelia Crossland has officially assumed leadership of Nineteen57, the iconic menswear brand founded by her husband, Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD).
This transition follows KOD’s recent appointment as Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President—a prestigious national role that reflects his continued service to Ghana on a global scale.
With this new chapter in public service, the reins of Nineteen57 have now passed to Ophelia Crossland, who will take on both the day-to-day operations and creative direction of the brand.
Ophelia Crossland, the CEO and founder of her eponymous womenswear label, brings over a decade of experience in luxury fashion.
Known for her keen eye for detail and mastery in haute couture, her leadership is expected to usher in a new era for Nineteen57—one that blends timeless African sophistication with modern sensibilities for the stylish gentleman.
“Nineteen57 has always stood for bold sophistication and African excellence,” said Ophelia Crossland. I’m excited to build on that legacy and explore new creative horizons with the team,” she said.
The transition marks a defining moment for the fashion power couple—Ophelia taking the creative lead in fashion innovation while KOD serves the nation in his new diplomatic role.
Together, they continue to elevate Ghana’s presence across fashion and governance.
