The Ghana Home Economics Association (GHEA) held its 43rd general biannual meeting in Ho, the Volta Regional Capital, on Thursday, the 1st of August, 2024, under the theme “Home Economics in a Digital World; Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities.”
In the welcome address presented by the host, Madam Yvonne A. Ame-Bruce, the current Volta Regional Chairperson for the association, she said the 43rd general biannual meeting was meant to create the opportunity “for home economists to share ideas, learn, build networks, celebrate achievements, and address the challenges faced in their field.”
The keynote speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Obinim, the Dean of Students Affairs at Ho Technical University (HTU), explained in her address that “The digital era has transformed the way we live, work, and interact with each other. And at the heart of this transformation is the field known to us as Home Economics.” This has caused home economics to be “confronted with a landscape of profound change, driven by rapid technological advancements that are reshaping the very fabric of the discipline.” According to Dr. Obinim, Home Economics has always been about empowering individuals and families to manage resources effectively, make informed decisions, and create a better quality of life. But in today’s digital age, we have the tools and technologies to take this mission to the next level.”
(Guest Speaker)
The Volta Regional Director of Education, Mr. Francis Yao Agbemadi,
The National President of GHEA Madam Kutum Comfort Madaa
The Chairperson, Togbe Foe Tsali the Second with other dignitaries on the high table.
In an interview session after the event, she further explained that to make the best of the rapid technological advancements happening worldwide, home economists must be equipped with the requisite IT skills that will enable them to take advantage of the new opportunities that come with the new technical era. This includes providing them with in-service training to effectively use new technological tools and gadgets. She also stressed that technological gadgets that will make teaching more effective need to be provided to help navigate the challenges and seize opportunities presented by the industrial revolution.
In the same interview session, Dr. Obinim, the first female Dean of Students Affairs and a senior lecturer of Fashion Design and Textile at HTU, addressed the perception that the profession is for those who are intellectually daft. Drawing from her personal experience of facing similar discouragement in her career pursuit, she opined that the various aspects of the profession, including home management, food and nutrition, and clothing and textiles, often require a strong combination of practical and theoretical disciplines that demand good intellectual strength. She therefore encouraged parents not to dissuade their children from pursuing a course in home economics as it offers promising career prospects.
Adding his voice to the discussion, the national financial secretary, Mr. Richard Asiam, emphasized that home economics is a very lucrative profession as it often equips students with skills they can use to start their own businesses and earn money even if they do not secure a white-collar job after school.
The host of the event, Madam Yvonne A. Ame-Bruce, informed attendees that “GHEA is a non-profit association of professional Home Economists founded in 1965 and is affiliated with the International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE) and the Home Economics Association for Africa (HEAA). Their mission is to “promote Home Economics as a dynamic interdisciplinary programme, drawing content from the sciences and arts, and applying this knowledge to improve the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities in relation to their economic, social, cultural, political, and physical environments. We pursue this through education, consultations, research, seminars, workshops, conferences, community-based projects, and by networking with partners in development.”
The event, which also served to launch the 60th anniversary celebrations set to commence in 2025, featured home economics professionals from across the country, an official from the Ghana Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, some students, and individuals from various walks of life.
According to the President of GHEA, Madam Kutum Comfort Madaa, the association currently has more than a thousand members with branches in all the former 10 regions, and plans are underway to open branches in the newly created 6 regions.
By Desmond Tinana
