ShePower Summit Empowers Women to Drive Innovation in Ghana’s Energy Sector
The third edition of the ShePower Summit has been held at the Kumaplay Auditorium of the College of Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), bringing together more than 500 students, industry leaders and stakeholders to promote women’s participation in the energy sector.
The summit, organised by Vivo Energy Ghana as part of activities marking International Women’s Day, focused on empowering young women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to pursue careers and leadership roles within Ghana’s evolving energy landscape.
Held under the theme “Empowering Women in Energy: Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Ghana,” the event featured a keynote address, expert panel discussions, student engagements, innovation exhibitions and the unveiling of a new student innovation initiative.
Welcoming participants, Corporate Communications Manager of Vivo Energy Ghana, Shirley Tony Kum, said the ShePower initiative was created to open doors for young women interested in engineering and the energy sector.
She noted that the programme, now in its third year, has become one of the country’s leading platforms connecting female engineering students with industry leaders, career opportunities and mentorship within the energy industry.
According to her, the summit was particularly significant as it also witnessed the unveiling of the Next Generation Energy Innovators Challenge, an initiative designed to encourage students to develop practical and innovative solutions to Ghana’s evolving energy needs.
“As a company, our vision is to be Africa’s leading and most respected energy business, and ShePower reflects our commitment to building a sustainable talent pipeline, championing inclusion and shaping the future of energy through innovation and opportunity,” she stated.
Delivering the keynote address, David Ato Quansah, Director of the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre at KNUST, emphasised the importance of innovation, research and collaboration in building a sustainable energy future for Ghana.
He encouraged students, particularly young women, to take advantage of emerging opportunities in renewable energy, policy development and new technologies as the global energy sector continues to evolve.
Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Christian Li, also addressed participants and urged young women to confidently pursue careers in the energy industry.
He noted that the future of the sector depends on the creativity, ideas and leadership of the next generation.
“Standing here today and looking at over 500 bright and determined faces, I am reminded of a powerful truth: you do not just have a space in the energy sector — the future of energy actually depends on you,” he said.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, Prof. Kwaku Amaning Adjei commended Vivo Energy Ghana for creating what he described as a powerful platform to inspire and mentor women in engineering and the energy sector.
He noted that although women have historically been underrepresented in engineering, the situation is gradually improving.
According to him, female students currently make up about 30 percent of the student population at the College of Engineering at KNUST, a number he said continues to increase each year.
He stressed that the future of energy must be inclusive and called for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to transform students’ ideas into practical solutions.
The summit also provided opportunities for networking, mentorship and discussions aimed at inspiring young women to pursue careers in engineering and energy innovation.
Organisers say the initiative forms part of Vivo Energy Ghana’s broader commitment to promoting gender diversity and sustainable innovation within Ghana’s energy industry.
