By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah, GNA
Tema, May 11, GNA – The Ghana Grid Company Ladies Association (GRIDLASS) has celebrated 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) with a call to remove long-held stereotypes that suggest women cannot excel in technology, engineering, energy, and other technical fields.
The call was made during the company’s celebration of the 2026 International Women’s Day under the theme “Empowered Women, Resilient Systems: Accelerating Equity in Power and Leadership” at the Alisa Hotel, Tema.
Madam Esther Cobbah, President of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), urged society to reject misconceptions that women were less capable in technological and scientific fields and explained that women continue to prove their competence in technology, oil and gas, energy, and other demanding sectors.
Madam Cobbah, who doubles as the President of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana, added that women were fully prepared to contribute effectively in leadership positions, stating that women already use different forms of technology in their daily lives, yet society continues to question their abilities in science and technical work.
She noted that women use kitchen tools and household appliances and apply scientific thinking in raising children and preparing meals, but these contributions were often overlooked, noting that it was contradictory for society to believe that women who could nurture children and manage complex responsibilities could not handle man-made systems and technologies.
“A mother best mixes ingredients in the right proportions for a little boy to grow into a man, to become a managing director; it’s a woman that’s very scientific, so I wonder why we have a myth or a belief that women, who can handle God-made things, cannot handle man-made things.” She stated.
She expressed confidence that the current leadership of GRIDCo recognised the importance of women’s contributions to the resilience and growth of the organisation and called on leaders to make women’s empowerment a major priority within the companies.
Madam Kuukua Maurice Ankrah, the GRIDCo Board Chair, said the theme for the celebration reflected the realities women faced in the energy sector, explaining that institutions and systems depended on diversity in talent, perspectives, and leadership.
According to Madam Ankrah, equity should not be seen as a favour extended to women but as a structural necessity for national development and institutional resilience, saying that women in the energy sector continue to face challenges in gaining recognition despite their competence and dedication.
She noted that women were sometimes labelled aggressive or difficult for showing confidence that would otherwise be praised in men.
She advised women not to be discouraged by criticism but to remain focused on excellence and professionalism and be encouraged to speak confidently during technical discussions, business meetings, and strategic conversations, as well as rise through merit, hard work, and integrity rather than shortcuts.
She stressed that the presence of only one woman in many decision-making spaces should not merely be celebrated as a personal achievement but seen as a responsibility to create opportunities for more women.
Ms Azara Amadu, President of GRIDLASS, mentioned that the women’s group within GRIDCo also highlighted the important role women have played in the company’s growth over the years, saying that women in GRIDCo have contributed through professionalism, teamwork, integrity, and calm leadership, particularly during difficult periods.
According to her, women excelled in planning, operations, system improvement projects, and corporate governance whenever they were given the opportunity. She expressed concern about the low representation of women in the company.
She said data showed that the number of women decreased sharply as employees moved up the ranks, leaving many decision-making spaces dominated by men despite the availability of qualified and capable women, and therefore called for deliberate efforts to promote equity, representation and empowerment for women at all levels within the organisation and the energy sector as a whole.
As part of the celebration, there was a panel discussion on contribution, challenges and necessary interventions needed to occupy high positions, as well as the launch of the GRIDLASS Leadership and Excellence Recognition award, reading of a goodwill message, questions, and answers time, among others.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
elizabeth.baah.gna.org.gh