Heads & Tales - Gifty Ghansah
Gifty Ghansah is the Principal of the African Science Academy which was founded by Tom Ilube and the African Gifted Foundation. The doors to the African Science Academy (ASA) opened in August 2016 as Africa’s first specialist STEM-focused academy for girls.
ASA is a girls-only Advanced Level school for young women from across Africa with outstanding Maths and Science potential. Gifty joined ASA with extensive experience as an educator in the UK and Ghana. She was most recently Vice Principal and Head of Mathematics at a leading Academy in London where she taught for 14 years.
Of ASA Tom Ilube has said: “We want to help drive Africa’s development by inspiring and unleashing the next generation of female scientists and engineers”
Let's dive right into the important question. In your opinion, why do you think there aren't enough women pursuing STEM fields?
Well, I believe the underrepresentation of women in STEM has roots in various factors. From my experience and background in mathematics, I've noticed that the way we perceive education, starting from a young age, plays a role. Subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology have been traditionally seen as more suited for boys. Additionally, societal influences, such as gender-based toys and activities, contribute to the disparity. Girls are often given toys and activities that reinforce femininity, while boys are encouraged towards STEM-related interests. Furthermore, there have been barriers in how we encourage girls to explore these areas of learning. Teachers sometimes unknowingly discourage girls from pursuing STEM by doubting their abilities. By removing these barriers and providing equal opportunities, we can encourage more women to engage in STEM fields.
As a teacher in London, did you witness this differentiation firsthand among your students?
Yes, indeed. As a Maths teacher, I often encountered girls who believed they couldn't excel in Maths. However, I always reassured them that they were capable. Through my experience, I have seen many girls thrive in Maths and science when given the right support and encouragement. I taught students in raising achievement groups, where we focused on breaking down barriers and building their confidence. It is possible to overcome these stereotypes and help girls succeed in STEM.
For parents who have daughters lacking confidence in pursuing STEM, what advice would you give them?
Firstly, it's important to have open and reassuring conversations with your daughters. Instead of reinforcing fear and stereotypes, provide motivation and support. It's also crucial to maintain communication with your child's teachers, as they can play a significant role in understanding underlying issues and providing additional support. Breaking down complex concepts into everyday examples can also help dispel fear and make the subjects more relatable. By changing the language and highlighting how mathematics and science are relevant to everyday life, we can help girls develop an interest in STEM.
Let's shift our focus to the African Science Academy (ASA). Can you provide an overview of the academy and where you envision it going?
Absolutely. The African Science Academy is an all-girls advanced level school located in Ghana. It was founded by the African Gifted Foundation and is the brainchild of Tom Ilube. Our goal is to identify the brightest girls across Africa who have excelled in their studies but face financial barriers to continuing their education. We offer them an opportunity to pursue STEM education. The minimum requirement for admission is excellent grades in subjects like Maths, Physics, English, and elective Maths. We aim to provide a transformative and holistic education to our students, preparing them for success in STEM fields. We have already educated over 100 girls since our inception in 2016. Currently, we are expanding our intake and planning to move to a new campus to accommodate more students and offer additional support such as coaching and mentoring. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of female scientists and engineers in Africa.
It's incredible to see the impact you are making. Do the girls at ASA realise the potential they have to inspire younger generations?
Absolutely. At ASA, we provide a holistic education that goes beyond academics. We encourage our students to engage in community service, teaching them the importance of giving back. They often visit local primary schools and share their knowledge with younger children, serving as role models. We also organize guest speaker sessions where our girls share their experiences and showcase their work. On special occasions like International Women's Day, they get the opportunity to present their projects and inspire others. Through collaborations with organizations like Edge Sports, our girls work in teams to develop ideas and contribute to their communities. These experiences help them recognize their potential and the impact they can have as role models.
Finally, what are your future plans for ASA and yourself?
In the next three to five years, ASA aims to expand its capacity by moving to a new campus and increasing the intake to accommodate 100 students. We want to ensure that more girls have access to quality STEM education. Additionally, we plan to offer coaching and mentoring programs to further support our students' growth and development. As for myself, I'm excited to continue being a part of ASA's journey and witness the continued impact of our graduates. I hope to see them becoming leaders in their respective fields and inspiring even more young girls to pursue STEM education.