St. Monica’s College Celebrates 95th Anniversary as Leaders Call for Robust Support Systems for Women and Girls

The 95th anniversary of St. Monica’s College of Education and the ‘Women Who Build’ Summit in Accra have sparked a renewed national conversation on the critical role of female education and leadership in Ghana’s development. During these events, prominent leaders and educators emphasized that while the country has made strides in enrolling girls in school, significant cultural and structural barriers remain. The consensus among speakers is that educating women and supporting their professional growth are not merely social goals but essential requirements for sustainable economic growth and social cohesion.

Speaking at the milestone celebration for St. Monica’s College, one of Ghana’s oldest teacher training institutions for women, Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Ben-Smith, the Council Chair, described girls' education as the nation’s strongest tool for development. He highlighted that empowering women through education leads to more resilient communities and stronger economic outcomes. However, he also pointed out that progress is frequently undermined by persistent cultural attitudes and economic barriers that continue to hinder young girls from completing their education and entering the workforce.

The conversation shifted toward professional sustainability at the ‘Women Who Build’ Summit, where panellists called for stronger support systems for women already in leadership and business roles. Baaba Cofie, a lecturer at Wisconsin International University College Ghana, addressed the biological challenges women face, urging employers to show greater empathy toward health concerns rather than viewing them as weaknesses. She argued that workplace environments must adapt to the physical realities of women’s lives to ensure they can remain competitive and productive without compromising their well-being.

Furthering this call for reform, Edwards Day-Antwi, CEO of ChurchSpace, challenged societal norms that pressure women to downplay their professional accomplishments in favor of traditional domestic roles. She advocated for a system where women can pursue both career ambitions and family life without being forced to choose between the two. A major hurdle identified was the lack of affordable childcare, which often prevents talented women from staying in the workforce. By addressing these structural gaps and fostering a societal shift in how women’s leadership is perceived, Ghana can better harness the potential of its female population from the classroom to the boardroom.