Nova Impact Ghana, a technology-driven not-for-profit organization, has graduated its second cohort of women trained in Data Analytics under its STEMinist Programme—an initiative aimed at providing young women with access to quality STEM education, mentorship, and career opportunities.
The graduation ceremony, held alongside the STEMinist Conference on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Kofi Annan ICT Centre in Accra, marked the organization’s second major activity focused on bridging gender gaps in STEM. The event was held under the theme, “Give to Gain: From Contribution to Career Growth – Women Leading in STEM,” aligning with this year’s International Women’s Month focus on the value of contribution as a pathway to growth, opportunity, and leadership.
In her address, the Executive Director of Nova Impact Ghana, Celestina Aidoo, highlighted the waning presence of women in STEM leadership, limited access to career advancement opportunities, and the barriers preventing many talented girls from pursuing STEM education.She described these challenges as a call to action to position women and girls not at the margins, but at the forefront of STEM development.
Speaking on the organization’s broader initiatives—including the STEMinist Programme, Ghana Youth Tech Summit, and Campus Tech Drive—she reaffirmed Nova Impact Ghana’s commitment to breaking barriers and creating sustainable pathways for women in the technology space.
“Under the STEMinist Programme, our focus has been clear: breaking barriers for women in STEM and creating pathways for growth, leadership, and opportunity,” she stated.
Reflecting on the programme’s impact, she noted that while the 2025 cohort benefited from tuition-free digital marketing training, this year’s cohort was equipped with in-demand data analytics skills tailored for the evolving digital economy.
“Today, we proudly celebrate their journey as they receive their certificates. This is proof that when women are given access, they rise, excel, and lead,” she added.
Director of Operations at Nova Impact, Festus Harlley, provided insights into the origin of the STEMinist Programme.
He explained that the initiative was conceived following observations made during the 2024 Ghana Youth Tech Summit, where women constituted only 15% of participants.
This disparity, he revealed, prompted the organization to create a platform that brings young women together to build skills, share experiences, and foster meaningful conversations around empowerment in STEM.
“What began as small workshops for young girls later evolved into a broader national dialogue through the STEMinist Conference,” he added.
He further noted that the programme’s vision is to connect industry professionals with young technology enthusiasts in a collaborative environment where ideas can be exchanged and solutions to societal challenges can be developed.
He recounted that the inaugural STEMinist training programme in 2025 focused on digital marketing and engaged about 30 young women in an intensive, hands-on learning experience. Building on that success, the 2026 cohort expanded into Data Analytics, reflecting the organization’s responsiveness to current industry demands.
In an interview, Mr. Harlley indicated that the programme remains open to all interested young women. Prospective participants can apply through Nova Impact Ghana’s official website https://novaimpactgh.org/ or follow its social media platforms for updates on future cohorts @Nova Impact.
The STEMinist Conference and graduation ceremony not only celebrated the achievements of the participants but also reinforced the urgent need to create inclusive STEM ecosystems where women can thrive, lead, and contribute meaningfully to national and global development.
Celestina advised participants not to underestimate the power of networking, recounting how her attendance at a programme led to meeting Mr. Koranteng Jackson, CEO of Koran Group of Companies. She noted that this encounter and their subsequent engagement resulted in his partnership and sponsorship of the conference.
