Vida Fafa Agbenya
The Ho Technical University (HTU) has elected its first ever female president to steer the affairs of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).
Vida Fafa Agbenya won the election by a slim margin, polling 1,245 (representing 51.6 percent) as against her contender, Bright Delali Atakuma’s 1,140 (which represented 47.2 percent).
According to excited but modest Vida Fafa Agbenya, it took her dedication, determination and hard work to take over the position, which had been occupied by men since the establishment of HTU 50 years ago –Â Â first as a Technical Institute, then a Polytechnic and recently a Technical University.
The exercise, which has been described as “first in the history” of the university, was held on April 30, 2018 to elect new set of student leaders for HTU.
The outgoing president, Frederick Cobby Mudey, congratulated his successor and tasked her to work hard to raise the standard of the university, especially as it was celebrating its Golden Jubilee.
He admonished her not to do away with the gains made but rather build on them to lift the image of the university to a higher pedestal.
Mr. Mudey was highly elated, being the first male president to hand over to a female. He echoed, “What men can do, women can also do.”
He underscored, “I am happy that after 50 years of its establishment, the Technical University has finally elected a female as its SRC president. I also fight for women empowerment and I think the time has come and people are hearing our voices because Cape Coast Technical University had earlier elected a female president to pave way for our history.”
The former SRC general secretary – 2013/2014 – and executive director of Life-MAC Foundation, Courage C. Tetteh, commended the election of Fafa, and lamented the gap that existed between males and females when it came to holding such positions.
He was happy that Fafa’s election re-enforces the words of the current Women’s Commissioner of HTU during the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration this year that “Women should not relent in their efforts to achieving progress and success.”
Lily was speaking during the Women’s Acceleration Summit held at HTU earlier this year, by the Global Shapers, Ho Hub, LIFE-MAC Network Foundation, Feminine Star Africa and Barcamp, Ho.
Mr. Tetteh was hopeful that Ms Vida Fafa Agbenya would use her position and experience to give more women the opportunity to serve in the various SRC committees.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)