The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has lauded the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) for the progress made in its Engendering Industries Programme.

According to a summary review of the progress made in the power producing company’s Engendering Industries Programme, the company is being deliberate about growing the presence of women and women participation at the leadership level, as part of efforts to integrate gender into its business strategy.   

GRIDCO partnered USAID three years ago to train as well as drive the inclusivity of women in the power producing company.

This falls in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 of “Achieving Gender Equality,” which requires full participation and equal opportunities for women at all levels. 

A four-member delegation from USAID who visited GRIDCo commended the company for the progress made including increasing the number of women staff, particularly in the area of operations and engineering.

The team, however, stressed on the next stage of the programme which involves the need to inspire the male staff of the company to also support the Engendering Programme to ensure its success.

Director for Human Resources at GRIDCo, Florence Agyei, on behalf of the company extended its appreciation to USAID for the support programme.

“We are on a journey, we keep growing, we keep learning, it is an energy company and I look forward to the day that we have a female CEO,” Ms Agyei said. 

In 2015, USAID rolled out its Engendering Industries programme, however, GRIDCo became a partner of the programme in 2019.

The programme is geared towards Empowerment of Women; Improving Women’s Workplace Participation and the Deployment of best practice framework for male-dominated work environments.

Meanwhile, some selected managers of GRIDCo have undergone a one-day training in gender related issues including sexual harassment, the power driving attitudes, among other topics.

The training was done by a team from USAID’s Engendering Industries.