What’s new?
Food Scientist, Abena Opokua Foli on food science and GMOs
[sidebar_widget sidebar_id="sidebar-1" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]
According to UN Habitat, by 2030, more than 50% of Africans will live in cities. This means, food consumption in Africa will change considerably over the coming years. Urbanisation and growing income per person will increase demand for processed, packaged and prepared foods, as well as high-value foods such as meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits.
In Ghana, agricultural businesses springing up and expanding to meet this growing demand will require Food Scientists with proficiency in modern food production and food safety technologies.
Today Levers in Heels features Ghanaian Food Scientist, Mrs. Abena Opokua Foli.
Abena is a young Ghanaian who is passionate about sharing the Good News of Christ through singing and in writing songs & articles. Yet, she is also equally passionate about food, especially cooking and exploring the different facets of Food Science.
As the elder of two children, she was encouraged to study science at a very early age by her parents, who invested in science books to encourage her to be excited about it. She lived in Ghana until 2006 when she left for the USA to pursue her college education. Prior to that she went to the SOS Hermann Gmeiner International College in Tema, where she studied Biology, Chemistry and Economics at the higher level, as part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
For her college degree, she attended Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts; the same college that Mrs. Otema Dzandu who was previously featured, attended. It was during her time there while studying Biochemistry that she came across the field of Food Science. After graduating with a Bachelor in Arts degree in Biochemistry in 2010, she went on to pursue a master’s degree in Food Science. In 2012 she graduated with a Master of Science degree in Food Science with emphasis on Food Safety and Microbiology, from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Since then she has been working in the food industry as a Food Scientist and currently works with Saputo Dairy Foods, USA as a Regulatory Scientist in Dallas, TX.
- What inspired you to head into the direction of Food Science?
“My father was a farmer when we were growing up, so I grew up knowing a lot about agriculture but I knew I didn’t want to have a career in that field per se. My father also taught me how to cook and I became very passionate about cooking and actually thought I would become a chef one day, which I still hope to become. However, in high school, I realized that I really liked the sciences especially biochemistry and always sought ways to combine my passion for food into my science projects.
However, I didn’t know about Food Science as a field or that it was offered in the Ghanaian Universities until the summer of first year in college. That summer while conducting research in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, my mentor for the program advised me that if I wanted to pursue a PhD immediately after my bachelor’s degree, then it should be in a field that I would be excited to wake up every morning for. She asked what I was really interested in because she realized that it was not in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. As I told her about my passion for food and science she suggested that I look into Food science as a field to explore.
After I spoke with my mentor, I researched into which schools offered Food Science degrees and fortunately for me, there was a career fair that same summer where I was conducting research. So I went to those respective tables at the fair to ask if they had a food science summer program so I could better understand what Food Science entailed. Cornell University was the only school present that had one, so I applied, got into the program for the next summer and that was the beginning of my formal academic and career journey in Food Science.”
- What exactly is Food Science, and why would you recommend this area of study to students in college or university?
“Each time people ask me what I do and I tell them that I am a Food Scientist, they respond by either describing what nutritionists or chefs do. Even though it is a “hardcore” science, it is often looked down upon because a lot of people don’t know what it entails.
A great definition of Food Science comes from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) of which I am a member of. It describes Food Science as “the discipline which draws from many disciplines such as biology, chemical engineering, and biochemistry in an attempt to better understand food processes and ultimately improve food products for the general public. As the stewards of the field, food scientists study the physical, microbiological, and chemical makeup of food. By applying their findings, they are responsible for developing the safe, nutritious foods and innovative packaging that line supermarket shelves everywhere”. Therefore, Food Science is not limited to nutrition and culinary science which are all sub-components of this broad field. In lay man’s terms ”it is the application of science; microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, nutrition, culinary science to the application of food and food packaging for the creation, maintenance or improvement of foods”. There are multiple facets to this field; Food Microbiology, Food Engineering, Food Quality, Packaging Engineering, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Product Development, Sensory, Nutrition and Regulatory.
One of things I really appreciate about the Food Science field is that it is very practical. Unlike with my experiences with the biomedical field where I was working with bacteria and yeasts to understand proteins or cells which may or may not be translated into solutions for human health, I can see the immediate effect of what I am doing with Food Science. In my previous role as a product developer, when I was developing a new product I could see visibly how taking out one ingredient or including a new one will have on the organoleptic properties of the food. For instance, if I were to add too much water to my formula when making mayonnaise, I will see the immediate effect of a runny mayonnaise which would not meet customer expectations and could also be more prone to microbial growth because of the increased moisture. If I was assessing the impact of a process on the texture of food, I could evaluate the impact almost immediately after the food has been processed. I don’t have to wait for 5 years or conduct research for 5 years to see how an ingredient or process can affect the food. Yes, there are instances that you might come across this but generally you get a practical response in a short period.
This field is also very exciting because it is constantly changing. Consumer food trends change all the time. For instance in the US, the new trends are for GMO-Free, Organic, Gluten-Free, low calorie and/or fat–free foods. A couple of years ago this was not the case so there are new regulations in place to ensure that food manufacturers are following those guidelines in labeling their foods. This means that when you pick up a product from the shelf and it says that it is Gluten-free the manufacturer has followed the guidelines to ensure the food is Gluten-free and the customer is not being deceived. As consumer trends evolve, these regulations will also evolve resulting in companies changing their formulae, packaging, labels and policies. My current role deals with Food Regulation and ensuring that the foods that my company processes are compliant with the US Food and Drugs Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture or the World Health Organization regulations and guidelines on food. I can tell you that no two days are the same; there is always something new.
The job security in the Food Science field is high because whether people are poor or rich, sick or healthy, they would need food. Food will always be a necessity for mankind and there will always be a need for Food Scientists to ensure that foods are safe, properly regulated and made in an affordable way while maintaining the nutritional components in them even when they are processed.”
- Do you think your experience of studying in a foreign country and absorbing other cultures has had a positive impact on your studies/career, and why?
“One of the things I am thankful for in studying abroad is the availability of the infrastructure and the technical know-how that has helped me gain a solid foundation in Food Science. Compared to Ghana, the standards for dealing with food here in the US are very strict and complex. Thus being exposed to the myriad of policies, processes and technology involved in launching one product on the market has made me appreciate this field a lot. What I mean is that a lot of food companies we have in Ghana are branch locations of multinational companies based here in the US or Europe. The research and development for the foods that these companies sell to us are not done in Ghana or in West Africa but where the parent company is located. That research and development piece is the bedrock of most food companies and that is where a lot of learning is gained in the field. When that piece is missing from a company, the learning becomes limited. So for instance, a lot of people in Ghana buy mayonnaise but do not know the complex process that goes into making one mayonnaise formula. The bulk of the mayonnaise eaten in Ghana is produced in the US and there is a lot of science that goes into it to even ensure that it doesn’t separate in the heat. Without being a part of that process of researching into it, you will not fully appreciate the science that goes into making the food or you might not formulate the best product because you don’t have the requisite scientific understanding. Honestly, I could have gained the same educational training from either the KNUST or University of Ghana but that technical know-how piece gained from industry especially at the research and developmental stage is still lacking a bit in Ghana.
With regards to different cultures, my Ghanaian upbringing is what has had the most positive impact on my studies and career. I realized early on that there were very good aspects of the Ghanaian culture such as respect for the elderly, politeness, humility, faith, etc., so I held on firmly to it despite those times where I wanted to give that up to be able to “assimilate” into the new culture I found myself in. In those times I quickly realized that I wasn’t being true to myself. If you want to be successful in life, the answer is not to assimilate but to be true to who you are and who God has made you to be. I am proud to be Ghanaian and I make that known everywhere I go and I will not compromise on that just to assimilate and blend in into another culture. Honestly, I have seen that that authenticity gives you a unique brand to sell yourself especially as companies seek to increase diversity in their companies to bring different perspectives to the work place. Of course I have learned a lot from the American culture especially when it comes to time-management, consistency, attention to detail, yet the rich Ghanaian culture and upbringing has had the most positive impact.”
- What are your career plans for the future?
“I plan to work in the industry for a while in the regulatory field to gain some more technical expertise. My long term goal by the grace of God is to open a restaurant to put authentic Ghanaian food on the international market here in the US, but with world class finesse. I also desire to open a food company in Ghana which processes Ghanaian food to cut down the time we spend cooking but also make it affordable without compromising on nutrition, so that the lay Ghanaian can afford it without worrying about compromised nutrition.”
- What do you think sets Food Science apart from other Sciences?
“It is a very practical field which deals with one of the necessities of mankind –food- and it is very diverse. You don’t have to be restricted to doing product development; you can explore all the different facets of food science and still have a relevant job that makes a direct impact on the lives of customers and consumers. For instance, although my educational background was not in food chemistry which is the background of most product developers, I was able to move from food microbiology into product development and learnt a lot of things on the job given the practical and hands on nature of the work. Now I am doing something more related to my background but there is that flexibility to move across the fields with the on job training I am receiving.”
- What are the different job prospects Food Science students have upon graduation?
“Even with a bachelor’s degree in Food Science, students can work directly in the industry in any of the subfields I had aforementioned, because most of the training and learning is on the job. You can’t always predict how food or microbes related to food will behave in the classroom until you work with it. However, there is also room to specialize in any of those fields by pursuing a master’s degree, PhD or both. Often those who go for a PhD or post doctorial education go in with the intention to go into academia to teach.”
- What aspects of Food Science do you love the most? Have there been any instances of your work where you have felt you have made a difference?
“I really enjoy product development because it is similar to cooking which I am very passionate about, except it is very technical. For me it combines the best of both worlds; cooking and science. I also enjoy regulatory science because it deals with ensuring that food manufacturers are complying with established governmental guidelines that protect consumers and customers. I believe this aspect of Food Science is very important because the food that you eat affects the quality of life that you have and if guidelines are not put in place, the food you eat can be corrupted, which will in turn affect you and your health. My friends don’t like to eat processed foods around me because I am always reading nutrition facts and ingredient listings and deterring them from eating foods which they would usually love to eat or drink. For me, the ability to help my family and friends make better informed choices about the foods they consume is the best part of my job. I have begun to see a positive difference in the choices they make when it comes to food and that excites me.
Currently, I am trying to get more Ghanaian women interested in Food Science by mentoring and coaching those I come into contact with on what the field is about and how to be successful in it.”
- Finally, what do you make of the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or DNA into agricultural productivity in Ghana?
“I believe the best way to address this question is to first let the reader understand what GMOs are. In the lay man’s terms “they are organisms in which a piece(s) of DNA has been introduced to induce the production of enzymes, with the intended effect of eliciting beneficial traits in or around them”. When it comes to food, GMOs deal with introducing foreign DNA into plants or animals to gain beneficial traits such as drought or pest resistance, increased yield or delayed ripening. With this in mind you would expect that there would be no opposition to the use or consumption of genetically modified foods, right? In Europe, there is strong opposition toward GMOs such that foods that contain GMOs must be labeled as such, and these types of products are usually not patronized. In America, there is growing opposition to GMOs with consumers advocating for labeling of foods that have been genetically modified. However, this has been met with fierce opposition from food manufacturers who would suffer serious losses if this were to happen. Truth is, you will find renowned scientists on both sides of the fence when it comes to the GMO debate. Personally, I am on the opposing end because of its possible negative effects on farmers, consumers and the environment.
Disclaimer: My responses do not reflect that of my company and are merely my views on the matter as both a scientist and a consumer.
As the daughter of a farmer, I am very sensitive to issues that affect farmers and also because agriculture is the backbone of the Ghanaian economy. In Canada and in the USA, there are detailed stories of farmers who either lost their forms and thus livelihood, or were forced to give up their non-GMO seeds because they refused to plant GMO seeds. What these farmers failed to account for in refusing to plant those seeds was the role of Mother Nature in agriculture; birds, animals and the wind are always pollinating seeds from one farm to another. Therefore, GMO seeds from a neighboring farm were transferred to the non-GMO farm and sprouted resulting in sections of the non-GMO farm becoming GMO. Now you can see the challenge that it would present to these farmers because you can only plant GMO seeds by directly buying it from the corporations that make them, else you are liable to be sued. These corporations who are already on the prowl to get their seeds to all farmers send their agents to test the fields of non-GMO farmers and when that section of the non-GMO farm which is now GMO is tested, the corporation threatens the farmer to either convert their farm to GMO seeds or be sued for illegally planting their GMO seeds. Often these farms do not have the resources and lawyers that the big corporations have to defend themselves. Those who are adamant about not planting those non-GMO seeds are sued and forced to lose their farms.
This happens in Canada and America where farms are as big as football fields. But what happens to our farmers who own an acre or two and have their whole families depending on that small farm? Unlike in America and Canada where there are government subsidies for farmers and other financial incentives, what government incentives and subsidies do our farmers have? Also, these GMO seeds are designed in such a way that pest and insect control measures are tailored to the introduced DNA. Therefore, farmers become very limited in the technologies they can use to tackle this issue except they buy directly from the big corporations.
As a consumer, I have concerns about the long term effects of introducing varied foreign DNA into my body without long term studies on the effects of the introduction of these DNA into human health. I personally choose to err on the side of caution, especially when it comes to new technologies, particularly when long term studies have not been conducted on them. For instance, when food suppliers want to introduce new ingredients, they provide documentation to the FDA certifying and showing that those ingredients would have no adverse effect on the human health at the proposed usage level without conducting any long term studies. Usually these studies are done on rats or other animals. However, over time the FDA issues warning about the safety of some of these ingredients which were once certified as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS). This is what happened with aspartame; an artificial sweetener used in a lot of soft drinks, which is now known to be carcinogenic.
How do we know this will not happen 5 years down the line with GMOs? Until that is done, I would personally prefer not to be used as a guinea big for that experimentation and neither would I want my friends and family to be used too. Also, when GMO foods become common on the market, they are going to drive organic or non-GMO food prices up as they have done in America because you are going to have a limited supply trying to meet a large demand. How many people would be able to afford the organic foods? There is a database called the verified non-GMO project which keeps track of all non-GMO foods to enable consumers make better and informed choices about what they are consuming.
Finally, studies have shown that with the advent of GMO foods, crop varieties which occurred naturally due to pollination and selective breeding have reduced. This is a concern for our environment because that variety was not just important for humans but for the whole ecosystem. We don’t know how we are affecting it by reducing all the different species of corn or soy or wheat from the environment. We also do not know how the introduction of different foreign DNA might be creating mutations in plants or animals which feed on these plants leading to insect resistance to insecticides etc. These are all possible scenarios which could be happening but as aforementioned without long term studies, all these would not be properly evaluated.
The intention for GMO sounds good but for now, until all these concerns are addressed I would highly suggest we learn from Europe and say no to GMO foods.”
[/spb_text_block]
Anne Nutsuklo on mobile technology
[sidebar_widget sidebar_id="sidebar-1" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]
The benefits of mobile technology in developed countries have been well acknowledged over the past few years. However, mobile technology could potentially have a much bigger impact on the lives of people in developing countries such as Ghana, depending on its growth.
Did you know? -
“Ghana was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to launch a cellular mobile network in 1992.”
Ghanaians are gradually gaining more access to mobile devices and their usage is expanding rapidly. The mobile technology industry therefore has a bright future in terms of creating more jobs and generating revenue.
It is encouraging to know that some mobile technology companies in Ghana are undergoing steady growth under the leadership of women trying to change the African continent through their influence. One of such women is Anne Nutsuklo, co-founder of Nandimobile.
Anne had her secondary school education at St. Louis Secondary School in Ghana. She then obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). She joined Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) after school and started Nandimobile with two other co-founders after her training.
- Why Technology?
"After JSS, I spent a lot of time in my mum’s office where I was introduced to a computer. I played with it a lot and did a lot of experimenting with just Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. That was enough to make me want to learn more and be around computers. Initially my parents and teachers wanted me to pursue Medicine in the university. I thought Engineering would be more appropriate since I loved Maths more than Biology or Chemistry. I ended up doing Computer Engineering due to my earlier curiosity about computers."
- How was your training at Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology beneficial to the birth of Nandimobile?
"It was a great learning environment that gave me the chance to experiment and learn a lot from others. I called it an enabling environment. It was not really about what was being taught but it was a great place to realize what my peers and other people have achieved. I got motivated to reach those heights or do better.
I also got the chance to form a partnership with equally talented people to start Nandimobile. I might not have met them or known about them anywhere else.
For me, it was a great place to learn about the business of software. There is nothing better than the experience because it gave me a head start to what to expect in pursuing a business.
The initial investment from them was kind of the validation to us that someone else also believed in our idea and we could make it work."
- What does Nandimobile offer nationally, and globally?
"Nandimobile seeks to bridge the gap between companies and their customers. We believe the mobile phone is a very powerful tool which can be used not just for communication with friends and loved ones but also serves as a great platform to get organizations closer and more involved with their customers. By using mobile apps and one of the most widely used mobile technologies (SMS), we create more customer centric businesses in Ghana and across the world."
- What are some of the challenges you have had to deal with?
"There are a lot of challenges not just in building software but also in running a business in Ghana. I will comment on two personal challenges.
One has been my personality, I was used to being a laid back person and it came across to some people as incompetence or not being confident. I have being working on being more present but still maintaining who I am. In business you cannot just mind your own business and ignore what people think of you. You would have to work on projecting yourself well to everyone.
The second challenge has been getting the right talent on board. There are a few well trained people straight out of school. The best trained ones find more security in working for a bigger company. As a startup you would have to do a lot of training to get people to the level you need them to be. The training period eats up a lot of time and resources that could have been used in going to the next level."
- What has been the most significant phase of your career?
"The most significant phase for me was moving from reading and learning about all these great entrepreneurs to actually running a business. There is a big difference. Experience is always the best teacher. I have a learnt a lot from going through this process of moving an idea into a company. It has brought out the best and the worst in me."
- In your opinion, how can Technology help Ghana?
"There is a lot technology can be used for in Ghana. I would not limit technology to just software; technology covers a lot more. Technology is building tools and solutions to solve problems or make something more efficient or easily accessible. Ghana needs to be more innovative in creating solutions for our problems. Technology can be used to change almost every industry.
In agriculture which is our biggest industry, technology in general can be used to broadcast and teach better farming principles and also keep the farmers involved of new trends to improve that industry. More affordable farm implements could also be built for our climate if we are to take technology more seriously.
There is a big problem of access to up-to-date data and statistics in all industries. It is quite difficult for businesses to forecast or make predictions due to this problem. Technology can be used to gather this data in a more inclusive and accessible way.
Every industry could be better if we apply more innovation to technology to suit our peculiar needs."
- How can Ghana support the emergence of women in Technology?
"Technology is a male dominated career all over the world. To get more women we need to make the few ones who are involved more visible so that other women may consider it as an option and be motivated to take up the challenge. These role models could also put it upon themselves to train, develop and mentor at least one woman to get into technology. Programs could also be organized to raise more awareness and offer training. From then we can invest in the talents we create in women."
- There are so many young women looking up to you. Any advice for them on how to start a career in Technology?
"Find your passion and what you are good at. Learn and read a lot on it and just do it. Sometimes we over-analyze and it paralyses our ideas. Ideas are nothing if they are not implemented. Ideas and visions are always clearer when you start implementing them."
[/spb_text_block]
Professor Esi Awuah - Environmental sanitation is a way of life
[sidebar_widget sidebar_id="sidebar-1" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]
Environmental sanitation affects every country’s health status, growth and development. It should be looked at and practiced as indispensable rather than being a luxury.
In Ghana, so many people live under highly insanitary conditions which expose them to many environmental hazards and infectious diseases.
In Levers in Heels' exclusive interview with Professor Esi Awuah, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani, Ghana, we explore how the country can promote and improve Environmental Sanitation.
Prof. Mrs. Esi Awuah completed both her Ordinary and Advanced level education in Akim Oda and Aburi Girls Secondary School in 1973 and 1975 respectively. She then enrolled in the Biological Sciences program at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana for a Bachelor of Science degree. After her national service, she obtained a WHO scholarship to study Environmental Science at the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at the State University of New York in the USA.
Her career as a lecturer officially begun at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 1986, at the Department of Civil Engineering. She became a Senior Lecturer in 1996, and an Associate Professor in 2002. She has taught several courses at KNUST, the University of Cape Coast and the University of Education Winneba at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
As a distinguished researcher and with special interests in water supply, sanitation, waste water treatment, hygiene, environmental and risk assessment, she has supervised several water quality analysis projects which were carried out to raise awareness on the pollution of several streams in urban areas and ground water contamination from on-site sanitation systems.
Prof. Mrs. Esi Awuah received the UNESCO Mondialogo Award in 2007 for innovative research in engineering. She was also recognized by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in Ghana during the international year of sanitation. In 2011 she received the best research award for environment, water and sanitation during the first National Science Congress in Ghana.
- How can Ghana promote and improve Environmental Sanitation?
"In brief, I will say that Ghana must enforce its environmental sanitation policy and be committed to the goals. Because sanitation is a way of life, people must understand what it means and learn to appreciate the values of sanitation. By so doing it will be easy to implement the policy.
Permit me to define sanitation as protection of one’s health and that of others through the proper management of wastes. I group sanitation into three main categories bordering on waste management: 1) Liquid waste, 2) Solid waste and 3) Hygiene.
The liquid waste includes the management of human faeces which is the major source of several diseases affecting people in mostly the developing world and waste water from the bathrooms, laundry and kitchens. Because human faeces have very peculiar characteristics in terms of its texture, odor and pathogens, toilet technologies have become an issue and many people these days are equating sanitation with provision of toilets. In actual fact, the toilet provision provides a receptacle to receive the human faeces but the total environmental sanitation ensures that the faeces or the facial sludge is treated and made safe before disposal into the environment.
Since human beings produce waste every day, there must be plans to manage it properly. Managing waste will require a place to hold it at home or the place it is generated at, a site where it will be treated or recycled and finally a site for the burying of the residual.
As a nation, we have planned without adequate sites for storage, treatment and disposal. This is a big challenge that we need to look at. I wish to recommend that based on the amount of waste we generate on the average, 0.8 kg of waste, 5% of the total land area for human settlement must be used for purposes like that. Have we really done that? Instead, we are managing waste on an ad hoc basis with no place even to store waste. No wonder our cities and towns are littered with waste and our drains are choked. Our planning is like we are a zero waste producing society, but in practice it is not. If we want a zero waste production society, we should come out with technologies that will treat waste on site and also recycle and re-use waste generated on site.
Hygienic practices are important for enhancing environmental quality. To do this everybody must practice hygiene. Making a conscious effort to practice it will become one’s way of life and finally lead to a character that you will live with until you die. Hygienic practices should be practiced by all. As one practices hygiene, one grows up with it and it becomes a character. Failure to promote hygienic practices in the Ghanaian culture will lead to improper handling of waste which will ultimately lead to the spread of diseases.
For solid waste, the national environmental policy should be towards a zero waste production society in our daily activities. For example we must avoid using plates and glasses made of plastics and styrofoam. Packaging of items to minimize waste generation is also laudable. Materials for packaging could be recycled.
For liquid waste, which is mainly grey water, we should recycle the water from the bathrooms and kitchens.
I would like to emphasize once more that Environmental Sanitation is a way of life and we must educate the public to practice and enforce the sanitation by-laws."
- How can we engage the youth in Environmental Health?
"Environmental health to me is synonymous with environmental sanitation since both disciplines seek to protect public health. Environmental health however, goes into details on how diseases are transmitted and how they can be controlled or eliminated. This includes other environmental diseases that are also not sanitation based.
The youth of today must understand how diseases are spread and ensure that their communities are protected from diseases. They can also educate the public. During the long vacations, they can volunteer with institutions that manage waste and protect the environment. They can also learn and get involved in their public education programs. They must also engage in community projects that control and break disease cycles, such as eliminating Guinea Worm through education, and the provision of boreholes for communities that rely on surface waters for domestic purposes.
Because the future belongs to the youth, they should begin to look at technologies that ensure zero waste production, and be able to come out with their own products because that is the way to go now."
- Do you have any advice for young women out there who look up to you regarding the work and research you have done in Environmental Science?
"In my research, my focus was to provide knowledge on how nature treats waste and understand the mysteries surrounding the transmission routes of water and sanitation related diseases. In all the research I have conducted, my aim was to make life better for people. I practiced what I discovered, and made them known through workshops and community development projects. I believe that to treat waste, we must understand how nature treats waste and amplify this using scientific and engineering principles in the design and installation of waste treatment facilities.
My guiding principles in life have been the fact that I gave my life to Christ when I was in primary class three. The Christian principles deeply enshrined in me became my way of life and my character for that matter. I must say that as a young girl, my grandmother whom I lived with told me that ‘hard work does not kill’, so I worked hard at anything that was given to me.
I always plan for the future and look beyond present circumstances. I planned that on the education ladder, the sky should be the limit. I also planned to be properly married before I gave birth, and planned to build a house. I even had sketches of the building when I was in class five.
'Aim high' is what I will say to the young women out there. Nothing should deter them from achieving their goals. Even if someone becomes pregnant and sees that her vision is blurred, she should not abort the child. She should wait and give birth to the child and continue with her education. My mother wanted to abort me because she was a student, but thank God the abortion was not successful.
I wish all young ladies who are pursuing various careers in Environmental Health and Engineering well. The world needs us. I also pray that my testimony will challenge them to be the best they can and make an impact in the world. Thank you for providing this platform to share this information."
[/spb_text_block]
Gifty Tetteh on advancing tissue engineering in Africa
[sidebar_widget sidebar_id="sidebar-1" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]
One of the main goals of Tissue Engineering is to create artificial organs for patients that need organ transplants. Biomedical and tissue engineers are currently researching new methods of creating many of such tissues or organs.
"Using an inkjet printer, researchers have succeeded in printing adult eye cells for the first time. The demonstration is a step toward producing tissue implants that could cure some types of blindness."
“Being a member of a research team in a world-class research institution is what I treasure most. I have learnt new research techniques, attended many training and developmental sessions, and have had the opportunity of meeting and working with high-profile researchers.”
- What is your research about?
"I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Engineering Materials, with focus on Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering at the University of Sheffield. I am studying how tissue-engineered bones grow around orthopaedic implants by designing a biomimetic test system that can be used to test these implants. Field trips from my third year at the University of Ghana, and during my national service sparked my interest in Orthopaedics. My love for courses such as Biomaterials, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Tissue Engineering also made my decision easier."
- What makes this field attractive?
"It is the next big thing for us to venture into because a lot of people abroad are pursuing it and it comes with a lot of great opportunities. What makes it hot, I believe, is its application and how it can be used to save human life. You never know when you are going to lose a tissue or organ in your body because of an unfortunate accident. You might want to get that fixed or replaced thanks to advances in Tissue Engineering. There are however some challenges which might include possible hidden diseases in the tissue or organ used for this purpose. But with time, these challenges would be overcome."
- What is progress like for Tissue Engineering in Ghana?
"I think Tissue Engineering, especially in Ghana, is still developing. There is still a lot more to do, but I believe we can always start from somewhere instead of sitting and folding our arms while the rest of the world makes progress. Hopefully, in the near future, things will start to pick up, but only when Ghana is ready."
- What do you love about what you do?
"I love this field because, depending on how far I go, my research will be very applicable. Statistics show that a lot of people on a yearly basis are getting implants fixed inside of them because they have lost bones due to one accident or the other. Hence, if I am able to come up with a good test system that explains how effective implants are, as well as how they interact with naturally-occurring bones in the human body, new bones could be grown effectively to replace failing ones without the patient having to wait for a donor. I am also doing some things I love like organizing and being a part of outreach events both in the UK and in Ghana. I was recently in Ghana to organize a few of these events for students interested in Tissue Engineering, but who might not have the practical experience I have been having. I spend a lot of time going to schools as a mentor to inform people about tissue engineering."
- What are your plans for the future?
"After completing my course, I wish to return to my country and impart the remarkable knowledge and expertise that I have gained, and contribute to the development of the human resources of my nation. I would like to continue with my outreach events and mentorship programs. I hope that in the future I would be able to merge the two so that we can have a lot more of our people involved in Tissue Engineering. We should also be able to set up our own labs in the near future."
- Any final words for those looking up to you?
"I will entreat you to persevere, push yourself to the limit and make the most use of the opportunities that are available to you now from your teachers/lecturers and books, to the scarce facilities available in the country. Seek counsel and take time in making decisions and choices, and all will be well with you. I am glad I studied Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ghana. I was tutored and guided by some great lecturers, who helped me make the informed decisions I made on my journey from my undergraduate studies to my graduate studies. The journey was not smooth sailing but every sacrifice and experience has been worth it because I am living my dream."
[/spb_text_block]
Reservoir Engineer, Otema Dzandu on thriving in Ghana’s oil and gas sector
[sidebar_widget sidebar_id="sidebar-1" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]
Ghana discovered commercial oil and gas in 2007 and eventually began production in the last few months of 2010. Concerning potential economic boost for the country, this discovery was good news for many Ghanaians.
Policy makers, civil society groups, and analysts raised concerns regarding the challenges of managing Ghana’s oil and gas resources. Could these concerns have risen as a result of the few Ghanaian trained professionals with the required skills to manage this ‘wealth’?
It is only through interest, seriousness and participation that Ghanaians can develop significant skills to man our oil industry. This will enable Ghana to have total dominion over the industry. And in this male-dominated field, women are highly encouraged to participate.
Currently only a small percentage of jobs in the Oil and Gas industry are occupied by women. Encouraging more women, as well as increasing their participation in the sector is relevant, and could possibly even help address “skills shortage”, if that really is the case.
It is laudable that many companies today are looking to improve their recruitment systems by employing and retaining more women, as they have probably realized the significant opportunities to increase business productivity through increasing women’s participation in the sector.
Ladies, fear not. The oil and gas industry is not equivalent to heavy labour.
Ghanaian, Stephanie Frances Ama Otema Dzandu, is passionate about God, family, music and her career; she is a Reservoir Engineer at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) where she undertakes various petroleum activities.
Otema, as she is popularly known by her friends and colleagues, had her secondary education at Ghana International School (GIS). It was there that her love for the sciences was established. After she graduated in 2005, she went on to pursue her tertiary education at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, USA, where she graduated with a B.A. in Chemistry (and a Maths minor). She has also obtained a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Aalborg University in Denmark. In mid-July 2011, she moved back to the motherland.
- Why Chemical Engineering?
“Chemical Engineering for me seemed like the next logical step after an undergraduate degree in Chemistry. To be honest, after graduation I began to get more interested in Petroleum Engineering, especially after reading and hearing about our nascent oil industry. So my case is a bit weird. I had initially thought Oil and Gas was a subset of Chemical Engineering so I had hoped to take some petroleum courses once I started my Masters. I wasn’t able to, so in my second and final year, I did my research and eventually my final thesis was centred on Petroleum Engineering (though my degree was still registered as a Chemical Engineering one). It was the knowledge and experience I gained from that second year that solidified my desire to move back home and work in the Oil and Gas sector.”
- What is your job at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation like?
“When I moved home I did my national service (which is now compulsory if you want to work in the public/government sector, whether or not you had your tertiary education in Ghana). Lucky for me, I did it at GNPC so I wasn’t spending all my time running around doing irrelevant things but instead, I was getting a lot of hands-on experience from the amazing Engineering department team. I finished my national service in September 2012, came back for an interview a couple of months later and eventually gained full-time employment at the end of January 2013.
GNPC is Ghana’s National Oil Company. Founded in 1983, GNPC was basically formed to take part in, and monitor all petroleum exploration, development and production in the country essentially for the benefit of its people. We partner with various International Oil Companies, the ones that most people probably would have heard of being Tullow, Kosmos, Hess, ENI amongst many others, partaking in various petroleum operations and activities.
Being in the Engineering department has given me such a great understanding of petroleum activities, from the drilling of wells all the way through to the economics of how revenue is gained from this oil. I have come to appreciate how interconnected the petroleum sector is. So even though I consider myself a reservoir engineer, I have knowledge not only in the other engineering departments (drilling, production, facilities, HSE – Health, Safety, Environment) but I’m also exposed to the other departments of the Corporation as a whole. To put a long story short, a reservoir engineer wants to be able to get the most amount of oil out of the reservoir (porous and permeable rock under the sea) at the highest economic recovery. The job involves a lot of simulation and modelling using various reservoir engineering software in order to predict the optimum economic recovery of oil or gas from hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs. It’s so exciting, especially at this time, because it’s such a fast-growing industry and there is so much to learn and experience.”
- What are some of the challenges you have faced?
“There are certainly various challenges that come with any job, I think. My first issue was the feeling of a lack of experience. Because I didn’t do my Masters in Petroleum Engineering, I felt like I didn’t have a lot of the theory required and as a result there has been a lot of on-the-job learning. This is difficult at times especially when I feel that I’m falling behind and need to catch up. But I also see it as a blessing, because it has helped me find a way to acquire and assimilate information in record time and also be able to retrieve the salient points of a report or discussion. There is also the obvious challenge of being a woman in an extremely male-dominated industry. I find that remaining true to myself is extremely important in times when I feel I’m not being treated fairly simply because of my gender. I learnt very early that I shouldn’t have to compromise my beliefs, my standards or my integrity in order to be successful. I think once you are passionate about something and you genuinely love what you do, no matter what you will succeed, no matter the pitfalls or drawbacks.”
- What is next for you?
“So for now my main goal is to work hard at my job and be an expert in my field. Working towards being an ‘expert in one’s field’ is a piece of advice given to me by a good friend that has always resonated with me. I want to be the woman that is so good in reservoir engineering that people come to me for consultation, knowing that I am a reliable woman of substance who has the information needed and the skills and ability to get the job done. But even reservoir engineering has so many facets to it. So I hope that through this job experience I would be able to narrow down my exact interest and God-willing go on to do a PhD. I have also always had the desire to teach and help other people gain knowledge, especially other young women trying to find their footing in their careers so that is definitely in the cards too.”
- In your opinion, is Chemical Engineering a suitable option for women?
“Any career is a suitable option for women in my opinion. I feel as though we limit ourselves a lot by thinking that certain careers are better suited to men. I have been offshore on a drill ship, been the only female surrounded by over 100 men, wearing my coveralls, hardhat and safety boots, taking part in the operations, getting my hands dirty and it was, by far, one of the greatest highlights of my job. I believe that as long as one has the passion and drive for something, they should by all means go for it. I will admit it comes with its challenges as stated above but that should not keep anyone from reaching for and achieving their dreams. A motto I love to live by says ‘Strive for perfection, settle for excellence’. “
- How should we get more women interested and involved in STEM?
“I personally am so excited when I see young women who have even the slightest interest in any of the STEM fields. I think ‘Levers in Heels’ is a perfect way to start. A lot of women get encouragement from seeing other successful women with stories just like theirs, women who have made it and are thriving. It all begins from childhood. The little girls who are interested in Maths and Science at that tender age when they are so impressionable, need to be encouraged, nurtured and supported. This goes a long way to affect their lives later on. I also believe a bigger emphasis should be placed on ‘Girls/Women in the Sciences’ in secondary schools and in college. Girls and women should know that these fields are accessible to them. They aren’t some abstract concept that’s ‘only for boys’, but rather something they can love and be successful in also.”
- Have the men in your life been supportive of your career?
“That’s such an interesting question that just makes me smile, especially since I have so many men surrounding me in my life. My father, three brothers and husband are by far the most supportive people I have around me. I love that they think my job is so cool, by default making me feel cool too. I really love them for that and it also helps me to strive to succeed and make them (and myself) proud. It can get a bit tough when the job sends me off somewhere for months on end without much notice (the unpredictability of the industry – comes with the territory), since I’m such a family oriented person. It definitely takes some getting used to but it’s nothing we can’t handle. It’s such a joy to have people to celebrate with you when you succeed, comfort and encourage you when you feel low and just be there for you through it all.”
[/spb_text_block]
Unilever Ghana's Process Manager, Christabel Ofori
[sidebar_widget sidebar_id="sidebar-1" width="1/1" el_position="first last"] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom="no" pb_border_bottom="no" width="1/1" el_position="first last"]
Chemical engineers are absolutely necessary in the manufacturing processes of a variety of products women use every day, including food, cosmetics, clothing, electronic goods, and medicine. Hence, who better to be involved in the production of such products than women?
Meet Christabel Ofori, a Ghanaian Chemical Engineer working at Unilever Ghana as the process manager for the foods factory, where she leads and manages a team of 15 operators to execute production plans and ensure that right process parameters are adhered to, so that products meet quality specifications. She is currently the only female engineering manager at the factory, and all of her operators are male.
"I feel there are more challenges with the job for female engineers than in school. There are also more opportunities for female engineers in the job market because a lot of companies are moving towards having a diversified workforce."
Christabel, an ambitious and results-oriented young lady with lots of positive energy and a passion for excellence, had her secondary education at one of Ghana’s best female high schools, Wesley Girls’ High School, where she studied General Science. She then entered the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
"During my university days, I worked with a team from the University of Texas-Austin, on a community project to provide good drinking water and set up a sachet water enterprise for a small community in Ghana. I also had the opportunity to travel abroad on exchange programs, to engage in different customer service roles to broaden my horizon, and develop an appreciation of different cultures."
After her graduation, she was awarded Best Female Chemical Engineering Graduate for the 2011 graduating year by the Unilever Ghana Foundation. She was also selected as one of 100 outstanding participants worldwide to meet and dialogue on global issues at the 8th Edition of the South American Business Forum in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
"I love Mathematics and Science. I am very adventurous, and I like to explore new opportunities and places. I love to read, listen to music, sing, travel, learn new languages and take photos. It feels good when I help people overcome challenges and solve problems."
- Why Engineering?
"Having studied science at school, my love for Mathematics grew, and I got to like Chemistry a lot too. However I loved to help and take care of others and so I decided to study Medicine so that I could be a doctor. Medicine was my first choice but I didn’t get into it so I settled for Chemical Engineering which was my second choice. And I am glad I did, because it entails all the subjects I love."
- How has the experience been so far?
"Well, it was quite an interesting journey. There were no benefits or challenges that came because I was a girl studying engineering. Most of what I encountered was faced by all engineering students; the demanding courses, the late-night studies, the Engineering Maths, the Engineering Drawing, etc. One different benefit was being part of the WInE (Women In Engineering) society and its associated exposure.
I was also elected the vice president of the Engineering Students’ Association, made of about 3000 students with about 80% being male. Another benefit was being recognized by Unilever as the best female chemical engineer for my graduating class. , i feel there are more challenges on the job for female engineers than in school. There are also more opportunities for female engineers in the job market because a lot of companies are moving towards having a diversified workforce."
- Who are your role models?
"The stories of young black engineers making impact inspires me to give off my best and be the best I can be in a male dominated field. My role model is my mum; she studied Mathematics, and was and IS really good at it. That grew my love for the subject."
- You are CEO of the IHAV Foundation. How did this begin, and what is the foundation’s goal?
"IHAV(I Have A Vision) is a non-profit organization I started, to bring young Africans together to dialogue, share ideas and collaborate to bring about changes in their communities. The goal is to see the African youth work to tackle and reduce youth unemployment whiles improving the quality of life in our communities through innovative and sustainable actions. We do this through our annual conference that brings young visionaries together from different parts of Africa to dialogue and initiate projects that will fill a need in our communities.
IHAV is entirely integrated by young Africans aged 18 – 28 years working and contributing to the vision from their different African countries. We have so far trained and empowered over 100 young people, and reached out to 5 orphanages to give them new clothing and food items.
As a non-profit however, we require funds and support from organizations and individuals interested in developing the capabilities of the youth, to put together this life-changing conference and influence lives positively."
- Does “STEM” need women?
"Yes definitely. To be a good Scientist, Mathematician, Engineer or Technologist, one has to be detail-oriented, and usually women are blessed with these qualities. Women are also generally more capable to multi-task and think outside the box and these fields require such abilities. Additionally women in STEM will help to nurture more women in STEM who will join the workforce and bring new ideas and initiatives. Also, as there are more women than men, we will develop a more informed, scientifically literate citizenry."
- For the young girl out there, who will probably be reading this, and so badly wants to be a Chemical Engineer just like you, what do you have to say to her?
"Go for it! It will help you develop self-esteem and a sense of competence. It will also help you broaden your thinking horizon and develop your capabilities. There are a few women who pursue STEM. Be part of the few who are defying the odds."
[/spb_text_block]