Accra, Ghana – May 2, 2026 – The West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens hosted Inspire 2026, a transformative one-day workshop designed to guide and empower young women aged 19-25 in their scientific careers. The event provided crucial mentorship, professional development in digital networking, and hands-on training in scientific problem-solving and communication, addressing the critical need for continued support and direction for women in STEM.
Context: A Legacy of Inspiration
Inspire 2026 was conceived and convened by Maame Ekua Acquah, a PhD student at the University of Ghana and a recipient of the L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Young Talents Award 2025. This prestigious award not only recognizes scientific excellence among women across Africa but also provides funding and leadership development. Inspired by her own transformative experience with the award, Acquah committed a portion of her grant to establish Inspire 2026, embodying the award’s mission that “The world needs Science and Science needs women.” The event sought to replicate the supportive and directional impact she experienced, offering a tangible pathway for emerging female scientists.
Mentorship and Career Navigation
The workshop commenced with opening remarks and an introduction to Acquah’s personal journey, followed by an inspirational keynote address from Professor Lydia Mosi. Professor Mosi shared invaluable insights from her own career, offering guidance on path selection, overcoming obstacles, seizing opportunities, and achieving success as a woman in STEM fields. A key component of Inspire 2026 was ensuring the mentorship experience extended beyond the single day. Joyful Journey Career Counselling and Mentorship Institute committed to providing ongoing support to participants.
Partners and collaborators, including Ms. Yaa Anima Opare from Women in Nuclear and the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Penn State University, and Ms. Dora Okyere from Inqaba Biotech, delivered messages of solidarity and support. The morning session concluded with an introduction of the nine mentors, each sharing brief highlights from their professional journeys and expressing their eagerness to connect with the 20 selected participants during the one-on-one sessions scheduled for the afternoon.
Professional Visibility and Skill Development
Following an engaging icebreaker and a sponsored snack break, participants delved into a peer-engagement activity focused on the meaning of mentorship. This exercise encouraged interaction and the formation of new connections among the young women.
A significant highlight was a virtual session on leveraging LinkedIn for professional visibility, delivered by Ms. Akweley Okai. Okai addressed common misconceptions about the platform and provided practical strategies to enhance professional presence online, motivating many participants to establish or optimize their profiles.
The event featured an intensive speed mentorship session, expertly moderated by Mr. Reginald Wotse and Mr. Francisco Xavier Grant. This segment facilitated rapid-fire discussions, allowing participants to gain diverse perspectives and advice from mentors within a short timeframe. The high level of engagement made transitions challenging but was managed effectively by the moderators.
Problem-Solving and Science Communication
The workshop culminated in a collaborative group activity designed to test participants’ problem-solving and science communication skills. Teams developed strategies to address a complex three-tiered challenge encompassing pandemics, climate change, and disruptions in global supply chains. Following their presentations, Dr. Lily Paemka provided constructive feedback, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
A participant survey, led by Mr. Frank Aboagye, indicated that Inspire 2026 successfully met its objectives. The positive reception and clear impact of the event have generated strong anticipation for a potential second edition in 2027.
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