The School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS), University of Cape Coast (UCC) in collaboration with their partners from Cardiff University, UK has held the inaugural Women in Vision Conference and Launch under the theme “Supporting and Empowering Women Aspiring to Undertake Academic Roles in Ghana.”

The event brought together leading academics, researchers, and students in the field of Vision Science, especially women to inspire, empower, and foster collaboration among women in academia.

Delivering the keynote lecture on Myopia Progression, a lecturer with the Department of Optometry and Visual Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Dr. Sylvia Agyekum, highlighted the alarming global trend in visual health.

She noted that, “By 2050, one out of every two people will have myopia. Fifty percent (50%) of the world population is expected to be affected by then.” Her presentation stressed the urgency for proactive research and interventions in the field.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Dennis Worlanyo Aheto

Prof. Barbara Ryan, Director of Vision Service Research at Cardiff University, encouraged participants to remain resilient in the face of challenges. She advised them to learn to always pick and dust themselves up when faced with challenges in life.

The Dean of the School of Optometry and Vision Science at UCC, Prof. Stephen Ocansey, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in promoting female participation in academic leadership. He said the conference provided an opportunity to learn from the journeys and insights of women who have made strides in academia to inspire the next generation of women leaders in vision science.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Dennis Worlanyo Aheto, who chaired the event, described the occasion as “not only a launch but a call to action.” He added that the Women in Vision initiative aims to “explore barriers facing women, provide capacity building and training, and empower students and staff.” He praised the collaboration between UCC and Cardiff University, describing it as “very beneficial to the university.”

Panelists during the discussion

There was a panel discussion which featured distinguished academics including the keynote speaker, Dr. Sylvia Agyekum, Prof. Barbara Ryan, Director of Vision Service Research at Cardiff University; Dr. Genevieve Adukpo, a former Director of the Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD-UCC), and Prof. Angela O. Amedo-Kwarteng, the first female professor of Optometry in Ghana. The panelists shared their experiences on balancing academic work with family responsibilities and navigating the challenges in academia as women.

The official launch of the Women in Vision Network in Ghana was performed by Prof. Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, Dean of the UCC Office of International Relations (OIR) and the President of the Ghana Optometric Association, on behalf of the Pro Vice Chancellor.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC