Women and Academic Leadership: The Case of Polytechnics in Ghana

Abstract

The study investigated the factors that hinder women toward academic leadership and also to identify strategies to curb the situation. Using a qualitative research design, a convenience sampling technique was used to sample the view of nineteen female lecturers and one key informant (registrar) through semi-structured interview guide, the researchers adopted thematic way of analysing qualitative data. The data highlighted several factors that hinder women toward academic leadership and these included permeability of work and family boundary, gender inequality, ethnic favouritism and lack of motivation. The study also pointed out that affirmative action or equal opportunities, mentorship, training opportunities and scholarship could serve as the curbing strategies. It, therefore, recommend that the institutions should provide continuous learning, coaching, career guidance and opportunities for self-development; integrate equality base on promotion and appointment of lecturers to become leaders; publication of articles should be used as medium for promotion and awarding lecturers to become leaders which would help prevent favouritism; appoint women in key position for self development in academia; lecturers should undergo training or probation period to understudy a senior knowledgeable colleague for better job insight, and training courses for female lecturers on how to solve work related problem and mechanisms for approaching suitable solution and method for decision-making.

Keywords: Permeability of Work and Family, Gender inequality, Female Lecturers, Mentorship