The University of Cape Coast is taking deliberate steps to address gender inequality in academia, as its Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) hosts a two-day capacity-building workshop for early-career women researchers.
The initiative is part of a broader institutional effort to promote gender equity while strengthening the research capacity and academic progression of female lecturers within the university.
Opening the workshop, DRIC Director, David Teye Doku, underscored the urgent need to support women in academia, particularly at the early stages of their careers. He explained that the training is designed not only to equip participants with essential research skills but also to inspire confidence and ambition as they navigate the demands of academic advancement.
According to him, the current gender disparity at the professorial level remains a significant concern. Women, he revealed, make up less than six percent of professors at the university—a gap he described as both troubling and unacceptable.
“This workshop was designed to equip and encourage our early-career women researchers to advance in their academic careers and contribute meaningfully to scholarship,” he stated.
Prof. Doku emphasized that closing the gender gap in higher education requires a collective and sustained effort, including mentorship, targeted training, and institutional support systems that empower women to rise through the academic ranks.
The workshop is expected to provide participants with practical tools to enhance their research output, improve publication success, and increase their competitiveness for grants and promotions.
Beyond skills development, the initiative also serves as a strong advocacy call for inclusive academic environments where women are given equal opportunities to thrive and lead. By investing in female researchers today, the University of Cape Coast is helping to shape a more balanced and impactful academic future for Ghana.
As conversations around gender equity gain momentum globally, initiatives like this reinforce the message that empowering women in research is not just a matter of fairness—but a critical driver of innovation, knowledge creation, and national development.
