The Executive Director of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), Ing Dr Enyonam Kpekpena, who also serves as Chair of the Women in Engineering Committee of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), has called for stronger inclusive engineering systems and increased investments to accelerate affordable and sustainable energy access globally.
She made the call during Session two of the 11th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum), organised by the United Nations and currently underway in New York City, on the theme: “Powering sustainable development through clean energy technologies for affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”
The session explored policy solutions and strategies for scaling up affordable and clean energy technologies, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, to support inclusive growth, industrial development, climate action, and sustainable urbanisation in line with Sustainable Development Goal Seven (SDG 7).
The STI Forum brings together governments, the United Nations system, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and science and technology communities from around the world to advance the use of science, technology, and innovation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Speaking on behalf of WFEO, which represents more than 30 million engineers globally, Ing Dr. Kpekpena emphasized that engineering must remain central to the global energy transition and the achievement of SDG 7.
Engineering must lead the delivery of affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
According to her, the success of the global energy transition would depend not only on technological innovation but also on how effectively engineering systems are designed, deployed, and scaled across diverse social and economic contexts.
She noted that engineers were already playing critical roles in renewable energy systems, grid modernization, energy efficiency, clean cooking technologies, and resilient infrastructure development.
However, she stressed that persistent development gaps across many regions demonstrate the need for energy solutions that are inclusive, context-responsive, and people-centered.
Ing Dr. Kpekpena further highlighted the important role women play within energy systems, particularly as household energy managers who significantly influence energy adoption, efficiency, and sustainability outcomes.
Despite these contributions, she observed that women remain underrepresented in engineering and energy leadership spaces.
She explained that integrating gender perspectives into engineering systems and energy planning could strengthen system performance, accelerate technology uptake, and improve sustainability outcomes.
“As Chair of the Women in Engineering Committee, we are advancing STEM pipeline initiatives, innovation partnerships, and gender-disaggregated engineering data to help inform policy and strengthen inclusive engineering practice globally,” she said.
She added that the Ghana Institution of Engineering currently hosts the Secretariat of the WFEO Women in Engineering Committee, further positioning Ghana as an active contributor to global engineering and sustainability discussions.
Ing Dr. Kpekpena reaffirmed the commitment of WFEO and its Women in Engineering Committee to support member states in embedding inclusive engineering systems, dedicated financing mechanisms, and accountability frameworks into SDG 7 implementation strategies.
The STI Forum continues to serve as a global platform for strengthening collaboration, promoting technology transfer, and improving the science-policy interface in support of sustainable development worldwide.