Ho, July 15, GNA - Mrs Carlien Bou-Chedid, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GHIE) on Thursday called on young girls in secondary schools to pursue courses in engineering at the tertiary level of their education.

She also urged young women with qualifications in engineering to make it their life-long profession and pursue leadership roles at their work places and within the governance structure of the engineering profession.

Mrs Bou-Chedid made the call at the launch of the first Women In Engineering (WINE) week celebration at the Ho Polytechnic. She said though seemingly difficult and male dominated, engineering is rewarding, as it confers respect and recognition on practitioners and that women, who pursue it have an added advantage of receiving preferential treatment with little effort. Mrs Bou-Chedid said it was therefore about time young women broke the jinx associated with engineering and look up to role models for encouragement and assistance in bridging the gap between them and their men counterparts.

"It is difficult to remain motivated in an area in which nothing comes easy...engineering is just plain difficult, regardless of sex.... It is a great test of strength, determination and above all, will", she said.

Mrs Bou-Chedid assured that WINE was working hard to reduce the problems militating against the pursuit of the profession by young women.

In a welcome address, Miss Elinam Ohene, National President of WINE said, the group was considering the formation of Women In Science Education (WISE) in second cycle institutions, to be supported by Ghana Education Service (GES) and GHIE.

She said this would provide the impetus for female Ghanaians pursuing science education to venture into engineering. Dr Josepth Annang, an Engineering Consultant, who talked on "The Impact of Technology on Our Society: The Role of Women in Engineering", called on WINE to help create awareness for environmentally friendly engineering operations and to show commitment to the protection of water sources and the atmosphere.

He also asked WINE to impress it on its members to exhibit the highest standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality, fairness, equity and ethical conduct in their practice. 15 July, 05