CEGENSA Holds Conference to Celebrate 10th Anniversary

Professor Takyiwaa Manuh

The Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) marked their 10th Anniversary with a three-day conference at the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) on the theme, "Gender and Women's Studies for Africa's Economic and Socio-Cultural Transformation."

In his opening remarks, the Director of CEGENSA, Dr. James Dzisah underscored the need to collectively reflect on the role of women in the current democratic dispensation.

Professor Amina Mama, the Barbara Lee Distinguished Chair in Women’s Leadership, delivered the keynote address.  She touched on the pitfalls and possibilities that emerged from more than three decades of Gender and Women’s Studies in African Universities.  She mentioned the shift from the era of touting women’s numerical strength to the era of engagement due to women’s significant contributions to discourses.  The occasion, she said, provided the opportunity to reflect on the promotion and the advocacy of gender parity.

The occasion was also used to celebrate the life and work of Professor Takyiwaa Manuh, a gender advocate and former Director of the Institute of African Studies.  In her remarks, she expressed profound gratitude for the honour done her, and acknowledged the pioneering role played by Prof. Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, a former Vice-Chancellor, who she said was instrumental in setting up CEGENSA.

There were panel discussions, during which genders issues key to national development were emphasized and a proposal made to design certificate and degree gender programmes of study. Members of the Panel also recommended that the Centre have its own support faculty to aid the teaching of the two gender courses, namely, Gender and Development, and Gender and Culture.

The Anniversary brought together former Directors of the Centre and some prominent gender advocates.  A citation was presented to Dr. Akosua Darkwah, the immediate past Director of CEGENSA for her hard work during the planning of the entire conference programme. Ms. Ama Pinkrah also received a citation for being one of the most dedicated staff of CEGENSA.

Presentations were made by Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Andrea Cornwall, Lynne Brydon, Rose Mensah-Kutin, Prof. Dzodzi Tsikata and Dr. Akosua Darkwah.

CEGENSA was launched in 2006, having been established in 2006.  CEGENSA’s key role is to ensure that gender issues become legitimate business of the University.  This role includes academic, policy and service functions over core areas such as academic planning and curriculum development, research and documentation, the provision of a resource centre, the provision of a sexual abuse counselling centre, policy planning, the development of mentoring programmes, particularly for junior female faculty and students, and outreach and extension work within the university as well as in the wider society.

Cross-section of Participants at the Conference