UK optometrists join launch of Women in Vision Network Ghana

A team of optometrists and academics from Cardiff University and Women in Vision UK (WVUK) travelled to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to celebrate the launch of Women in Vision Network Ghana (WiVGh).

The team joined the inaugural Women in Vision Conference and launch event at the School of Optometry and Vision Science, UCC, on 18 July.

The event, which was attended by more than 250 people, was themed around: “Supporting and empowering women aspiring to undertake academic roles in Ghana.”

From the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University, four people attended the trip: Dr Louise Terry, lecturer, research fellow and optometrist; Professor Barbara Ryan, professor and optometrist; Dr Sally Hayes, senior research fellow, and Hannah Noor, postgraduate researcher and optometrist.

Women in Vision UK’s Dr Lindsay Rountree, optometrist and training lead, and Dr Megan Vaughan, optometrist and mentorship lead, also joined the event.

The conference saw talks by leading academics and researchers, and panel discussions which explored challenges experienced as women in academia.

Terry told OT: “This network and its first conference are an absolute privilege to be a part of. The founding committee are a fantastic team, so the network is in great hands. I’m excited to see the impact it can make for the women who will shape the future of vision science in Ghana.”

Women in Vision Ghana

The WiVGh network has already attracted 200 members from across Ghana.

The network is open to anyone in fields related to vision, including optometrists, ophthalmologists, vision scientists, and students, while membership of men is also encouraged to facilitate allyship.

The committee is made up of six optometrists, chaired by Dr Dillys Amega, a researcher at UCC, who is also mentorship lead for the network. She said: “The launch of the Women in Vision Network is more than an event; it is the beginning of a new phase for women in eye care. We’re building a community where women across vision science and eye health can connect and grow, and I’m really honoured to be a part of the founding leadership.

Dr Sylvia Agyekum, a lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), is vice-chair and research lead.

Dr Elizabeth Babai, an optometrist at the Winneba Municipal Hospital, is the finance and sponsorship lead for the network, with Dr Ruby Adikah, a PhD student at the University of Alabama, US, taking responsibility for PR and communications.

Dr Clara Ayandoh, an intern optometrist at UCC is the international liaison for the network, and Dr Selina Holdbrook, MPhil student at UCC is the student liaison.

The conference and launch event included an exhibition for local school students to showcase careers in optometry and science, and a panel discussion with four female academics at varying stages of their careers, including Ghana’s first professor of optometry, Professor Angela Amedo-Kwarteng.

An overview of the project, network, and its aims, was presented by Dr Louise Terry, Dr Enyam Morny, and Dr Dillys Amega, with a motivational speech delivered by guest of honour, Professor Barbara Ryan.

A keynote lecture on myopia management was presented by Dr Sylvia Agyekum, and an overview of Women in Vision UK was given by Dr Lindsay Rountree.

Sharing ideas

Following the official launch of the network, Women in Vision Network Ghana and Women in Vision UK held a committee meeting where committee members discussed ideas for their roles and how to best meet the needs of the membership.

Rountree said: “WVUK are proud and honoured to support and collaborate with our sister network in Ghana. We’ve already exchanged so many ideas to help serve our memberships and build our communities together.”

The membership of WiVGh is currently made up largely of optometry students and professionals who are early in their career. Therefore, many activities will centre around the two optometry institutions in Ghana.

This is an area that WVUK is looking to develop, with committee members highlighting the benefits of being able to share ideas between the networks.

Rountree said: “We’re really excited for the future of this collaboration in its international promotion of women working in vision.”

A key focus for the new network will be mentorship, with 20 women who have volunteered as WiVGh mentors.

Rountree highlighted that finances are a key challenge for any new organisation, sharing that organisations interested in sponsoring the network can contact the committee for information.

CPD and resources

During the visit, the team delivered continuing professional development for 40 optometrists and Master’s students, including hands-on workshops on dry eye, low vision, and critical appraisal. The team also donated low vision aids and testing charts to UCC’s low vision clinic.

The team thanked optical suppliers who made donations for the trip, including Hoya, Mid-Optic Limited, Three Sixty Optical Ltd, Avizor, Oté Pharma, Bondeye Optical, and Théa Pharmaceuticals.

The trip was funded by a British Council Gender Equality Partnership, with the purpose of founding a Women in Vision Network Ghana, with support also provided from the UKRI MRC H-IAA Strategic Impact Fund.