On September 24, 2025, Ghana witnessed history. Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann — the Quizmistress we all know and love, and Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana — was elected as an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng), UK, one of the highest honours in global engineering.
This is not just Prof. Kaufmann’s victory. It is a victory for every Ghanaian girl told that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are “not for women.” It is a victory for every young woman who dreams of breaking barriers in spaces where women are still underrepresented.
Prof. Kaufmann has shown us that talent knows no gender. From earning her PhD in Bioengineering in the United States, to pioneering biomedical engineering education in Ghana, to inspiring millions as the face of the National Science and Maths Quiz — her journey proves that when women are given the opportunity, they don’t just participate, they lead.
Her recognition by RAEng is also a reminder: Ghana and Africa need more women like her. Women who are not only present in classrooms but also leading laboratories, building technologies, driving innovation, and shaping national policy. But for that to happen, we must empower women deliberately.
That means:
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Expanding access to STEM education for girls in rural and urban communities alike.
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Ending stereotypes that discourage girls from pursuing science and engineering.
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Creating policies that ensure equal opportunities for women in academia, industry, and leadership.
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Mentorship and role models — because every girl deserves to see herself in the success of women like Prof. Kaufmann.
Her election to RAEng places Ghana firmly on the global engineering map, but more importantly, it places a mirror before us. Will we continue to celebrate one or two women who beat the odds, or will we create a society where women in science and leadership are the norm, not the exception?
Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann’s story is proof that when women rise, nations rise. Let us honour her not just with applause, but by making sure thousands more women can follow in her footsteps.
Congratulations 👍