The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) played a leading role at the 2026 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Women in Engineering (WIE) International Leadership Summit, reinforcing its commitment to advancing inclusive leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship within the engineering profession.
The three-day summit, held from June 4 to 6 at Ashesi University in Berekuso, brought together engineering leaders, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, academics, and students from across Africa to explore the future of leadership, technology, and innovation under the theme: “Engineering a Balanced Future: Women, Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Technology.”
Participants from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and other African countries engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening leadership capacity, fostering innovation, and promoting greater participation of women in engineering and technology.
A highlight of the summit was the keynote address delivered by the Executive Director of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, Ing Dr. Enyonam Kpekpena, on leadership and the future of inclusive engineering.
Addressing participants, Ing Dr. Kpekpena challenged women engineers and professionals to move beyond participation and become active architects of change in their respective fields.
She emphasized the need for women to take up leadership roles in policy development, enterprise creation, technology governance, and institutional decision-making, noting that the future of engineering must be intentionally designed to be inclusive, innovative, and sustainable.
“The engineering profession must not only create technologies for the future but also ensure that diverse voices are represented in shaping how those technologies are developed, deployed, and governed,” she stated.
Drawing from her professional experience, she highlighted the importance of strategic leadership, visibility, mentorship, sponsorship, and entrepreneurship in building pathways for women and girls to thrive in STEM-related fields.
Her presentation also examined the transition from technical competence to strategic influence, encouraging women professionals to confidently pursue leadership opportunities and contribute to decision-making at the highest levels of society.
Through practical examples and interactive discussions, participants explored challenges affecting women in engineering and technology while identifying strategies to strengthen leadership pipelines and institutional support systems across Africa.
GhIE’s contribution to the summit extended beyond the keynote presentation.
Ing Juliet Mawunyo Gbormittah, Director for Membership at GhIE, facilitated a workshop session on “Power,” where she led discussions on career pathways within the energy sector and highlighted emerging opportunities for women seeking to build successful careers in power generation, transmission, distribution, and renewable energy.
The session provided participants with valuable insights into industry trends, professional development opportunities, and practical strategies for increasing female participation and leadership within the energy sector.
The active participation of GhIE representatives throughout the summit reflects the Institution’s broader vision of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within engineering while supporting initiatives that empower women to lead and excel in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
As engineering continues to play a critical role in Africa’s development, GhIE remains committed to creating opportunities that strengthen leadership, inspire innovation, and build a more inclusive engineering profession capable of addressing the continent’s evolving challenges.
The IEEE Women in Engineering International Leadership Summit is a flagship platform that brings together professionals, academics, industry leaders, and students to advance leadership development, promote gender inclusion, and inspire innovation across the engineering and technology sectors.
