The call to bridge the gender gap in various sectors is anchored on the need to ensure equal access to resources, empowering individuals to make informed choices, ending poverty and building resilience.  Most of the sectors in Ghana, just like the Refrigeration sector, experience wider disparity in representation of both male and female in their practices, despite the greater impact on women, as end-users. The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) industry in Ghana remains predominantly male-driven, with minimal female representation. 

Recognizing this disparity, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aim to create an enabling environment where women are not just beneficiaries but active practitioners and leaders in the field. Under the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP II), a gender sensitization workshop with the main focus on promoting gender inclusion in Ghana’s RAC sector was organized. This workshop engaged about 50 Guidance and Counselling officers from selected schools in Takoradi, equipping them with the tools to advocate for and inspire young girls to consider careers in the RAC sector.

 Highlighting UNDP’s broader goals, Jennifer Asuako, Programme Analyst for Gender and Human Rights at UNDP Ghana, emphasized that,“This initiative focuses on UNDP’s commitment to advancing Climate Action. We will continue to promote inclusive development in line with the SDGs, ensuring that no one is left behind in everything we do,” stated Jennifer Asuako.

Gertrude Yankey, a student of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineering at Accra Technical University and an old student of the Takoradi Technical Institute, shared her story, highlighting some challenges she faced through the journey.
 “When I chose Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineering, many people questioned my decision. It is a male-dominated field, they said, but I was determined. Instead of feeling out of place, I embraced the challenge. The principles and technology I learned have given me the foundation to pursue my dream,” she recounted.

Gertrude’s journey underscores the importance of breaking barriers and defying stereotypes. For UNDP, stories like Gertrude’s are testaments to the potential that lies in fostering gender inclusion. Her determination represents a future where more women contribute to innovation and progress in traditionally male-dominated sectors

The workshop aimed to empower Guidance and Counselling officers as champions of change, equipping them to inspire and guide young girls toward careers in RAC. By fostering interest at the school level, the initiative seeks to build a pipeline of female talent in the cooling sector.
By engaging educators and mentors, UNDP and EPA are laying the foundation for a more equitable industry—one where women like Gertrude Yankey are not exceptions but leaders.

This initiative is more than just a workshop; it’s a catalyst for change, driving gender inclusion, promoting climate action, and shaping a brighter, more equitable future for all.