by
Olivia A. Kwapong
Ghanaian culture places men at the top of the social ladder. Men are dominant in politics, economic
and social life. For example, there are only a handful of women in Parliament, only a few women
own land so they cannot get access to credit; women are responsible for bringing up children and
carrying out the daily chores in the household. Generally men and boys are well advanced, and more
privileged than women and girls. Almost all socio-cultural and biological factors go to their favor and
enhance their progress. As a result most gender advocates target men as ‘enemies of women’ and are
vigorously working to withdraw and transfer some if not all their powers to women. Instead of
viewing men as partners in social life and economic development, they are rather viewed as obstacles
to the progress and general advancement of women.
key roles they have played in my life lead me to a more conciliatory impression about men in general.
Though my father died when I was five years old, I have been supported and directed by a few men
who have had a tremendous impact on my life. I can vividly recount the support, guidance,
motivation, mentorship, and encouragement that my uncles, pastors and male teachers have given
me.
As a primary school girl, my uncle enrolled me in a school where I could get a better education and
provided all the materials I needed to improve my academic performance. He constantly reminded
me that I could become whatever I wanted to be through hard work and perseverance. Not only did
he encourage me to study hard but he also pointed out to me some role models I could look up to in
my pursuit of excellence. This helped me to build a relatively good foundation in my early years of
education. When my uncle got married and re-directed his attention from me toward building his
family, a cousin who had traditionally inherited from my late father, saw me through college. As I
reflect on my past experience as a young girl, I can say that I have come this far in my education and
career growth due to the solid educational foundation and moral support that my uncle and male
members of my extended family gave to me. This support continues today.
In 1998, my husband who was just a diploma certificate holder told me one morning, “Look, Olive,
this year you have to buy forms and apply for a Master's degree program.” This was at a time when
I was busily immersed in nursing my first child, and not thinking about further studies at all.
However, once admitted, my husband took care of our first child for me so I could stay in residence to
do my Master's program. He gave me all the moral and economic support I needed to complete the
Master's program successfully. After that, he started talking to me about enrolling in a PhD
program. Again, I followed his suggestions and enrolled.
to create the consciousness I need, and draw my attention to how much I can do, to build a great
career for myself. He emphasizes how much I can achieve, and that I can become a great woman. He
also makes the effort to identify and link me to other career women who are high- achievers, so that
they may serve as role models and mentors for me. At the moment, he is doing his best to make sure
our three children are well kept and cared for while I pursue further studies at Harvard. From Ghana,
he sends all information that I need for my research project. Whatever request I make, he does his
best to respond promptly.
My uncle who supported me in my childhood to lay a better foundation in education has re-emerged,
this time not alone but with his two friends who are intellectuals. These men are not just interested in
my education and career advancement, but also how I present myself in public – dressing, speaking,
and manners. Much as they want me to look ‘sleek’ and presentable, they talk to me about bing
humble [not proud and arrogant], modest, respectful, and hard working. To contribute to my career
and personal advancement, these men stay in constant touch with me through phone calls and emails
[on a daily basis]. They share with me interesting reading materials and point me to opportunities
that are available to me while I am studying in the United States. They always discuss with me great
issues of our time such as the alleviation of poverty, gender inequities, and world peace. Even though
I am much younger than most of these men, they treat me with respect, and try to motivate me to
read widely to broaden my knowledge and become well informed.
on becoming an academician working on international development projects, teaching, and research,
while probably taking up occasional public assignments. Another group believes that I could become
a role model and outstanding public figure who could contribute to public policymaking, hence I
should work towards holding political positions in the future. I am very grateful to these men who
have taken such keen interest in both my professional and personal development. Their motivation,
direction and encouragement give me a lot of energy to work harder to improve my career objectives
and personal life.
personal decision making and responsibility on my part, but this is not the case. What I have
attempted to do is to emphasize how lucky I have been to have men who believed that a woman
could be as productive and accomplished as a man in our traditional society. In this sense, my
personal experience reinforces the reality of the barriers that are placed in the paths of women in
Ghanaian society. I am painfully aware of the discrimination, neglect, social and familial
ostracization faced by countless numbers of other women my age. My experience is an exception
rather than the rule.
participatory adult learning, gender analysis, distance learning, and community mobilization. Ms. Kwapong
studied as a Special [PhD] student at Harvard University, and is also a doctorate student at the University of
Ghana.
