Young female professionals in the maritime industry are being encouraged to justify their inclusion by being competent, pursuing excellence and adopting a ready-to-learn attitude towards their jobs.
This call comes on the back of increasing advocacy for more opportunities for women to participate in the historically male-dominated maritime industry.
Philippa Amanda Armah, the General Manager, Procurement at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and Pauline Abrokwah, Co-Chairperson for Tema District Technical Committee at GIFF were the latest to make this appeal to aspiring female maritime professionals on the Eye on Port program, following the International Day for Women in Maritime celebration last weekend.
While the accomplished maritime professionals acknowledged the growing participation of women in the sector, they believe there is room for more as women still do not make up a quarter of the industry numbers.
However, they implored that “women must bring something to the table when invited unto the table”.
They urged that women, on their climb to the top, must lead with competence and a work ethic that commands respect.
“When you are given the opportunity, don’t just dwell on the fact that you are a woman. The door should not be opened for you just because you’re a woman but because you have something to bring to the table.
In any case, when the door is opened for you because you’re a woman, when you come to the table it is about what you are bringing to the table that will sustain you at the table,” said Ms. Abrokwah.
“It’s okay requesting for an invitation to the table, but what are you bringing? And when you are given the opportunity to sit at the table are you able to maintain the seat at the table? Because just being ushered into the seat is one thing, but being able to maintain your seat at the table is also very critical,” Mrs. Armah added.
Phillipa Amanda Armah, who doubles as the President of the Port Ladies Association urged aspiring female maritime professionals to be open-minded and embrace learning opportunities in the industry.
She was emphatic on the need for these professionals to be widely read and adapt to trends of the industry.