WiSTEMGh – LAFMAAL Foundation Research Writing Workshop and Partnership.
Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Ghana (WiSTEMGh), in partnership with the LAFMAAL Foundation of Côte d'Ivoire, has launched a mentorship and leadership training initiative aimed at empowering female PhD students and community leaders in STEM.
The partnership was formalized during a two-day workshop on Research Writing held from January 8 to 9, 2025, at the Ibis Tek Conference Room, College of Science, KNUST. The event brought together key stakeholders from academia and international development, setting the stage for a sustained collaboration in research, mentorship, and rural leadership development.
Dr. Akyana Britwum, a lecturer in the Department of Physics at KNUST, played a pivotal role in convening the workshop and facilitating the connection between WiSTEMGh and LAFMAAL Foundation.
Dr. Akyana Britwum, a lecturer in the Department of Physics, KNUST.
Welcoming the international guests, Professor Daniel Y.A. Duah, Dean of KNUST’s International Programmes Office, emphasized the university’s commitment to impactful global partnerships and applauded WiSTEMGh’s ongoing efforts to close the gender gap in STEM.
Arc. Prof. Daniel Y.A. Duah, Dean of the International Programmes Office (IPO)
Professor Ibok Nsiah Oduro, President of WiSTEMGh, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, particularly LAFMAAL’s dedication to both academic and environmental development. She highlighted the potential for deepened rural engagement through the mentorship exchange.
Prof. (Mrs.) Ibok Nsiah Oduro, President of WiSTEMGh.
Presentations from both organizations underscored their shared values and vision. Dr. Aliman Michel, President of the LAFMAAL Foundation, outlined the Foundation’s mission, achievements, and goals, while Professor (Mrs.) Mercy Badu, Executive Secretary of WiSTEMGh, gave an overview of WiSTEMGh’s impact, concluding with a video presentation of the 2024 Girls' Camp Activity.
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From left to right; Dr. Ing. Aliman Michel, President of the LAFMAAL Foundation and Prof. (Mrs.) Mercy Badu, Executive Secretary of WiSTEMGh.
A technical highlight of the workshop was a session led by Mr Stephan Back from Germany, affiliated with LAFMAAL, who delivered a training on “The Six Sigma Principles and How to Attain Reliable, Precise, and Accurate Research Results.”
Mr Stephan Back, an associate with LAFMAAL Foundation.
At the close of the workshop, WiSTEMGh and the LAFMAAL Foundation committed to collaborate on three strategic pillars: Joint Research, a Mentorship Exchange Program, and Leadership Training for Rural Community Engagement.
This collaborative initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening research capacity, leadership skills, and cross-cultural mentorship among women in STEM, paving the way for innovation and sustainable community impact across West Africa.
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Excerpts from the workshop