The 9th Girls in Aviation Day has been observed at Kotoka International Airport. The day is celebrated globally by the various chapters of Women in Aviation International (WAI) to inspire young women to take an interest in aviation. In Ghana, the event was organised by WAI Ghana Chapter, comprising women professionals working in the Aviation Industry.
Selected students from Accra Girls, Temasco, Ola Girls, Lashibi and Afia Kobi Senior High Schools were privileged to have been sponsored for this year’s celebration.
In her welcome remarks, the President of the WAI Ghana Chapter and Deputy Director-General (Finance & Administration) of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Madam Juliet Okae, indicated that the Ghana Chapter was established in 2015 to bring all the women in aviation together. She said the formation of chapter was significant because it serves as an avenue to share ideas and basically harness the potential of Africa’s youth, especially young girls. She said the Girls in Aviation is a flagship programme for the umbrella body, Women in Aviation International, organised annually to inspire young girls to take up professions in the aviation industry. She indicated the need to catch them young and prepare them for the future. She said WAI Ghana Chapter was looking at creating aviation clubs in Senior High Schools to whip up interest in the youth, especially girls.
The Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Mrs. Pamela Djamson-Tettey, in her remarks, congratulated the President and Executives of WAI Ghana Chapter for organising the event.
She noted the diverse, evolving and fast-paced nature of the aviation industry, with women professionals blazing the trail in their respective areas – such as Airline Managers, Aircraft Engineers, Flight Stewards, Aircraft Marshallers, Air Traffic Controllers, Aviation Security Officers, Rescue and Fire Fighting Officers, Electrical, Civil and Structural Engineers and a host of other professions.
She urged the young girls to take advantage of the opportunity by participating fully in the various educational sessions and tours so that they can share their experiences with their colleagues in school.
The Deputy Minister for Transport and Member of Parliament for Gushegu Constituency in the Northern Region, Hon. Hassan Tampuli, in his speech, noted the enormous potential in the aviation industry that are yet to be harnessed. He told the young girls to consider themselves the privileged few for the kind of exposure being offered and study hard to achieve their full potentials.
He highlighted the critical roles women are playing within the aviation industry and challenged the young girls to emulate the strides and aim for careers in the sector.
Women in Aviation International is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation and aerospace career fields and interests. They offer educational outreach programmes to young girls, national and internationally, through programmes such as the Annual Girls in Aviation Day.
