The eighth episode of the Mentorship Sessions featured Ms Akweley Abena Okai, a tech advocate, entrepreneur, and Partnerships Associate at Google Developer Groups, Accra. Her insightful session explored how STEM entrepreneurship can address contemporary global challenges, particularly in underrepresented regions.
Ms Okai's work stands as a beacon of inspiration for women in STEM, encouraging them to embrace entrepreneurship as a means of driving diversity, innovation, and societal impact. She shared her unique journey, which began in a research community known as the Forest and Horticulture Research Centre, where she was exposed to science through farming.
As an entrepreneur, Ms Okai emphasised that identifying problems and creating solutions lies at the heart of any successful venture. She shared a personal story of how her father’s trips to the pharmacy to find remedies for her skin issues inspired her interest in skincare products. This passion eventually led her to explore ways to address skin concerns effectively.
However, her entrepreneurial journey was not without challenges. She recounted how some of her early skincare products caused adverse reactions in customers, an experience that motivated her to innovate further. This setback led to the creation of Revela, a software application that assists skincare businesses in assessing skin tone, type, and conditions to recommend suitable products.
Ms Okai's career trajectory is equally remarkable. Following her National Service at the Epidemiology Department of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, she joined the Ghana Tech Lab, where she honed a diverse range of skills. She attributed her drive to a female lecturer in software engineering, whose mentorship inspired her to pursue her goals relentlessly.
Currently, Ms Okai is a distinguished Project Manager and Digital Marketer, an alumna of MEST Africa, and a pivotal figure in the tech community as the Partnerships Associate for Google Developer Groups, Accra. She has made significant contributions by moderating sessions, delivering keynote speeches, and serving as a panelist at prestigious events such as Ghana Digital Innovation Week, DevFest Accra, and Women Techmakers. Her audience includes tech professionals, investors, policymakers, and students.
In her closing remarks, Ms Okai urged women entrepreneurs to share their stories to inspire others and underscored the value of joining professional communities for growth and networking. She encouraged young entrepreneurs to persist through failures, viewing them as stepping stones to future success.
Her journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of STEM entrepreneurship. Ms Okai’s mentorship session left the audience inspired to embrace challenges and contribute meaningfully to their fields.
The 2024 edition of the STEM Festival is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by Pepsodent, Jupay, Bel Beverages, YFM and GTP.