Women and Contemporary Roles: Bridging the Gender Gap for Organizational Effectiveness. The Case of Accra Polytechnic, Ghana

Abstract

Leadership roles in the Ghanaian societies are determined by socio-cultural considerations and this appears to exist in all institutions where Accra Polytechnic is inclusive. Women leaders at Accra Polytechnic since 1993 are performing contemporary roles in realising the vision, mission and the five year strategic plan of the Polytechnic but they encounter some challenges. This study seeks to examine the contemporary roles and challenges of women leaders in the Polytechnic. The study examines the theory of gender equity as a theoretical frame using interview, participant observation and historical methods. The under representation of qualified women in decision making positions and those who are playing contemporary roles have created a gender gap that exists not only in Accra Polytechnic but in many areas of the workplaces in Ghana. The Ghanaian Society has determined that only males make good leaders; therefore it continues to deny easy access for women seeking leadership roles because they do not fit the norm. Women who seek leadership positions face barriers and many times give up because they become overwhelmed in dealing with obvious barriers. Though women at the Polytechnic are performing decision making roles; there are some socio-cultural perceptions that keep them from fully performing their roles. It is discovered from the field that women do not get access to occupy some of the top hierarchical positions at the Polytechnic like the Rector.

Keywords: Gender gap, Hierarchical; barriers, equity; leadership