Report By: IshmaelBarfi
Dr. (Mrs.) Ellen Hagan, Founder and Group CEO of L’aine Group and Co-Founder of Legacy Girls College has emphasized the need for a mindset shift among women to achieve true empowerment.
Speaking at the inaugural edition of the ‘ShePower’ initiative in Accra on Monday, March 24, 2025, Dr. Hagan acknowledged the progress that has been made but asserted that much work remains to be done.
She believes that while efforts are underway, they are insufficient and slow-moving.
According to her, women must take responsibility for their own empowerment by recognizing their self-worth and capabilities.
“We need to change and shift our mindset. Mentorship can help, but we need to see role models in areas where we want to excel,” she stressed.
Dr. Hagan also highlighted the challenges faced by women in STEM fields, citing the shortage of female science and math teachers as a significant obstacle.
“The few that are available are often married and have young children, making it difficult for them to take on roles that require relocation,” she explained.
This challenge is further compounded by societal norms and expectations. “We’ve been programmed to think that certain roles are not for women or that we’re not capable of excelling in certain fields,” she noted.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Hagan remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and collective action.
She reiterated, “We can’t give up. We need to understand that empowering women is a mandate, not just for individual women, but for society as a whole.”
Dr. Hagan’s comments are part of a broader conversation on women’s empowerment and gender equality in Ghana.
Her remarks underscore the necessity of sustained efforts to challenge societal norms and promote opportunities for women and girls.
She identified several challenges that must be addressed to achieve true empowerment for women.
These include the lack of role models and mentors in STEM fields, societal norms and expectations that limit women’s opportunities, limited access to education and training programs, and stereotypes and biases that perpetuate inequality.
Despite these obstacles, Dr. Hagan sees opportunities for growth and development.
Some of these opportunities include increasing awareness of the importance of women’s empowerment, a growing number of women in leadership positions and STEM fields, expanded access to education and training programs, and emerging technologies that can help bridge the gap.
Dr. Hagan’s remarks serve as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and governments to prioritize women’s empowerment and gender equality.
“We must work together to create a society that values and supports women’s empowerment,” she stated, reiterating the need to challenge societal norms and promote opportunities for women and girls.
By recognizing the challenges and opportunities and working collectively towards a common goal, Dr. Hagan believes that true empowerment for women can be achieved.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
