CKT-UTAS SRC aspirant Ayariga Hanatu highlights challenges facing female student politicians

Ayariga Hanatu Aninya, an aspiring President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), has shed light on the systemic challenges female students face in political leadership across Ghana’s tertiary institutions.

Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Monday June 23, Aninya shared her personal experiences navigating the complex terrain of student politics as a woman.

Her testimony offers a rare but important perspective on gender inequality in student leadership, echoing broader national concerns around the underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles.

“When I was telling people of my intention to contest, the response was always ‘You, a lady’, which speaks a lot and that alone demoralises some women to quit even before they start.”

Aninya cited gender-based slurs and derogatory comments as common tactics used to intimidate female aspirants, describing them as deliberate attempts to undermine women’s confidence and discourage participation in student elections.

“As a woman in campus politics, you are constantly reminded that leadership is not for you, you face sexist remarks, and people question your capability.” She said.

These challenges, she said, are reflective of broader societal issues that must be tackled through deliberate efforts, including policy interventions at the university level and beyond.

If elected as SRC President, Aninya said one of her top priorities will be to promote inclusive leadership and work towards attaining basic university community needs for students of the institution.

Aninya is one of six candidates vying for the SRC presidency at CKT-UTAS this year and the only female among them.

Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Alexander Bombande