International Women’s Day: Jane Naki Tetteh’s Trailblazing Journey Breaking Male Dominance in Engineering—-From the moment she was introduced to the world of aviation through her foster father, who was a pilot, Ing. Jane Naki Tetteh Anowie says, although she loved flying, she became fascinated by the workings behind the scenes by the engineers.
She recounted with fondness that as she observed the engineers maintaining aircraft, her curiosity deepened. That was the beginning of her desire to pursue a career in the field of engineering.
Many women shied away from Mathematics, but her already existing passion and enthusiasm for the subject sealed the deal upon realizing the field will make good use of her mathematical prowess.
With an already existing inclination for mathematics and solving problems, she agrees engineering was a perfect fit for her. Thankfully, she is living her dream as an Environmental Engineer in the bustling city of Accra for a renowned consultancy firm.
As the world celebrates women on International Women’s Day, she is one of the spotlights for Brand Focus Africa. Sit back and let’s dive deep into the inspiring and fascinating story of the Vice President of Women in Engineering (WinE).
Inside the Engineering World: Perception vs. Reality
From a distance, many people admire engineering for its grandeur and respect, and then decide to enter the field. But upon entering, when they are hit with the realities and the challenging nature of the field, many track back. But this is not the story of Ing. Naki Tetteh.
Stepping into the field, she knew there would be challenges. Fortunately for her, her love for solving problems and her already existing mathematical acumen, in addition to her zeal, did the magic for her. She says after entering the field, she discovered that engineering was exactly how she imagined it to be, solution-oriented.
She admits that although challenges surfaced, her passion prevailed, making it easier for her to navigate them, and remaining committed to make a difference.
“The fact that it’s solution-orientated, you’re solving the problem. As we see from outside, it was the same thing and then the passion was there, so yes, there were challenges but it was overlooked or overcame them because of the passion,” she told Brand Focus Africa.
In a Male-Dominated Field – Challenges and Opportunities
Engineering across the world is mostly dominated by men. For just this reason, many women have shied away from the field. Moreover, its mathematics and physics-centered nature have discouraged many women from taking that path.
The situation isn’t different in Ghana. According to the Ghana Institution of Engineering, only 7% of the total number of engineers were women as of 2020. But Ing. Naki Tetteh wasn’t daunted by the male dominance. From the onset, she says she learned that how she carried herself and the effort she put in are what will determine how far she goes.
She tells Brand Focus Africa that by proving her worth and demonstrating competence, she gained the respect and support of her male colleagues, dispelling any doubts about her capabilities. She proudly confirms that despite the perception that a male-dominated field is not suitable for women, Ing. Naki Tetteh says her male colleagues have been incredibly supportive providing her with all the needed assistance.
She is therefore admonishing against women who approach the field with a preconceived notion of discrimination by men. She says such women will unnecessarily struggle. To her, per her experience, those who step in with confidence, demonstrate their capabilities, and engage actively in their work will find allies among their male counterparts. Respect, according to her, is earned through effort, professionalism, and teamwork.
She says, “it’s more of putting in your best, investing in yourself and that you get the support of your male counterparts to be able to excel in what you are doing. But if you go in with a certain, let’s say prejudiced mind or something, then the challenges will be too high.”
Balancing Career and Family – Her Trick
Ing. Naki Tetteh does not shy away from the fact that the field is demanding, especially for family-oriented women. But she says the challenges are surmountable. She says working very smart has played a very crucial role to help her balance her life. Thankfully, certain areas of the field have become easier and easier to work in due to working smart initiatives, hence making it more and more women-friendly.
“Over time, a smart way of working has come in so making it more easy for women to enter certain areas of engineering, and actually, it is becoming more and more easier,” she indicated.
Ing. Naki Tetteh also recognizes and acknowledges the role her supportive partner plays to make the act of balancing her profession and family easier. In addition, she reveals her company recognizes the need for women to also thrive and hence has provided the necessary support systems.
“Some companies have intentionally made it a point to help women to be able to succeed, and I’m fortunate to be in a company like that. I have a supportive partner who understands what I do and the demands of me and offers support. Then again, you put in effort, you work smart and hard all together to be able to overcome all these,” she added.
The Sense of Fulfillment: Beyond Her Paycheck
Many people are stuck in careers and occupations with no sense of fulfilment. That cannot be said of Ing. Naki Tetteh. She confesses she is very fulfilled in her line of work. What truly gives her the fulfillment is the satisfaction she gains from her success in solving complex problems. The joy she experiences when a project is completed successfully outweighs any initial struggles. The ability to see tangible results of her work and contribute to real-world solutions is what keeps her motivated.
But she does not discount the satisfaction the paycheck also brings.
“Everybody needs money sometimes at the beginning of the career, you might not see that, but as we grow in it, you might see that. But the most fulfilling thing is that when an assignment is completed, that’s it,” she recounted.
Giving Back: Mentorship & Advocacy
Ing. Naki Tetteh is not just breaking barriers for herself; she is actively creating pathways for others. As the Vice President of Women in Engineering (WinE), she has taken it upon herself to mentor young girls and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM.
She regularly visits schools to demystify mathematics and engineering, proving to young minds that these fields are not as intimidating as they seem. With numerous success stories under her belt, she is proud to be a guiding light for the next generation of female engineers.
She narrated: “I do a lot of mentoring. I’m currently the vice president for Women in Engineering. One of my works is to mentor young girls with STEM education. And I’ve been at the forefront of it. I’m aspiring to be the President. It will continue when I’m elected. So it’s something that I do all the time to inspire young people to pick up STEM. In fact, today, somebody has already finished and is in a profession, and asked that I become a mentor.”
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, the Engineer is determined to accelerate action toward gender parity in engineering. She envisions a future where more women confidently step into technical fields without fear or hesitation. Aspiring to become the President of Women in Engineering, she is committed to continuing her advocacy, ensuring that opportunities remain accessible for women who dare to dream beyond societal norms.
Advice to Young Women as the World Celebrates Women
Ing. Naki Tetteh’s message to young girls is clear: mathematics and engineering are not as scary as they seem. Passion, dedication, and perseverance are the key ingredients to success. She encourages young women to believe in their potential, seek mentorship, and not be deterred by societal stereotypes.
She says with the right mindset and effort, they can achieve anything. On this International Women’s Day, Ing. Anowie extends her best wishes to all women striving to make an impact. She remains hopeful that through continued effort and advocacy, gender parity in engineering and other male-dominated fields will become a reality.
