Ohemaa Adjei Andoh
Hello! My name is Ohemaa Adjei Andoh (née Asante) and I am the Founder of Girls in Science and Technology.
I am my mother’s second child out of two. I completed my nursery to secondary education at Achimota School (Accra) and then went ahead to study Geological Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). During my time at KNUST, I held the position of Women in Engineering President/Women’s Commissioner for the College of Engineering (2012/2013).
My hobbies include reading motivational books and spending quality time with my husband and kids.
Organization Name: Girls in Science and Technology
Location: Ghana
Operating since: 2018
Organization Website: www.gist-ghana.com
Organization Instagram: @gistgh
Tell us all about your organization. What services do you offer?
Girls in Science and Technology (GIST) is a foundation with the aim of introducing young girls in their formative years to the endless opportunities in the STEM fields. We also offer mentorship to Senior High School and Tertiary students in the Science field and we are planning to add sponsorships of brilliant but needy girls who wish to study STEM-related courses. GIST has put together a group of hardworking and focused women from different STEM fields with a common goal of serving as blueprints for the young and upcoming ones.
Who are your co-founders and what roles do they play in the organization?
Ama Nettey- Project Manager
Wilhelmina Anaman - Software Developer
Tina Dickens - Outreach Manager
Rainer Juati - Communication Manager
Rose-Ann Mishio - Marketing Manager
What are some of your future plans? What initiatives are you working on right now?
We are currently working on partnering with industries in the STEM fields to create internship opportunities for young girls studying related courses.
How did you get the idea or concept for your organization? What was your mission at the outset?
I get a lot of questions about my career and how I got here from students, parents, friends etc. Growing up, I was fortunate to get some sort of guidance in every step leading to my career today and that helped me make informed decisions. I want to give the young ones better opportunities than I had for myself to guide them. Some of the qualities that define me as a person prompted me to start this organization; I am a good listener, I like to share my experiences with others to help them make informed decisions when it is required of me, I am able to relate with people, and I love seeing people do well for themselves - it gives me great joy to serve.
What's your definition of success? Do you consider yourself a success? If not, when will you?
I believe I will see myself as successful when I have been able to significantly increase the percentage of women in STEM careers.
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in your industry or starting her own company/organization?
We have to know our light doesn’t only brighten our corner but also brightens the path for the young and upcoming ones who look up to us. So let’s allow the light in us and the greatness in us SHINE!
Describe yourself in ONE word. Committed
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today is..."
To create a seat for yourself at the table.