The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga, has called on women in engineering to be intentional about using their expertise to develop innovative solutions to Ghana’s pressing developmental challenges. He made the call on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the G. M. Afeti Auditorium, during the opening ceremony of the fifth edition of WinE Affair, organised by Women in Engineering Ghana (WinE Ghana) to empower, mentor and advance women in engineering.
Addressing the theme, “Engineering a Sustainable Future: Women Leading the Way,” Prof. Honyenuga challenged young women to view engineering not merely as a profession involving machines, codes and technical processes, but as a tool for improving lives. He urged them to harness opportunities in research, innovation and technology to develop sustainable solutions, citing Ghana’s energy challenges as an area where engineers could leverage the country’s abundant sunshine to create practical alternatives.
He further encouraged women in engineering to build their competence, embrace failure as part of the innovation process and remain resilient despite stereotypes, limited opportunities and other barriers. Prof. Honyenuga urged them to aspire to leadership and excellence, stressing that the goal should not only be to increase the number of women in engineering, but to produce women whose innovations and solutions make a visible difference in families, institutions, industries and communities.
As part of the career development and mentorship session, WinE Ghana Chair, Ing. Jane Naki Tetteh-Anowie, challenged participants to broaden their skills beyond technical engineering to include emotional intelligence, negotiation, conflict management, risk management and other competencies essential for effective leadership. She encouraged them to step beyond their comfort zones, embrace unfamiliar opportunities, build meaningful professional relationships and lead with purpose, noting that technical knowledge may open doors, but character, confidence and the ability to influence others determine professional growth.
The Patron of the HTU Chapter of WinE, Dr Ing. Mrs Patricia Asantewaa-Tannor, also emphasised the importance of critical thinking and continuous improvement among engineering students. She encouraged students to examine existing practices and identify more efficient ways of doing things, stressing that innovation is not only about creating something new but also about improving what already exists to deliver value and contribute to national development.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Eli Atatsi, Associate Professor at the Department of Management Sciences, urged women in engineering to prioritise continuous professional development through lifelong learning, mentorship and relevant certifications, noting that emerging technologies are creating new pathways for women to advance and assume leadership roles in engineering.
The two-day event, which brought together 20 universities, including HTU, Accra Technical University, Cape Coast Technical University, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Cape Coast (UCC), concluded with an inter-university pitching competition, showcasing innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges.
