Stanbic Bank Leads the Charge to ‘Change the Game’ for Girls in STEM
Stanbic Bank Ghana is once again at the forefront of championing innovation and inclusion, as it powers the 2025 Women in STEM (WiSTEM) Bootcamp at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Running under the theme “STEM Without Limit: Empowering and Inspiring Girls Who Change the Game,” the five-day residential bootcamp is a dynamic platform designed to unlock the brilliance and boundless potential of Ghana’s future female innovators.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of Stanbic Chief Executive Kwamina Asomaning, Estelle Jacqueline Asare, Head of Digital Transformation and a proud STEM advocate, shared a message of hope, ambition, and transformation.
“We’re not just launching a bootcamp today, we’re igniting a movement,” Ms. Asare declared. “You are the software developers, engineers, scientists, doctors, and entrepreneurs who will redefine what’s possible. And Stanbic Bank is here to ensure the game is not only fair, but limitless.”
This year’s bootcamp brings together 300 bright young minds studying General Science from 30 Senior High Schools across Ghana. From September 21 to 26, participants will engage in immersive learning, mentorship, and hands-on innovation. Activities include coding workshops, real-world problem-solving challenges, and interactive sessions with industry experts; equipping participants with the skills and confidence to lead in STEM fields.
Ms. Asare reflected on her personal journey from a student at KNUST to leading digital transformation at Stanbic Bank, encouraging participants to embrace every challenge and dream boldly. She also shared a proud milestone from the 2024 Standard Bank Group Hackathon, where she led two Ghanaian teams to victory - one of which made history by winning Best Digital Idea and the Overall Champion award, marking Ghana’s first-ever win at the continental competition.
Stanbic Bank’s commitment to STEM empowerment extends far beyond sponsorship. The bank has provided over 350 high-end laptops to support KNUST’s Support One Student With One Laptop initiative, with 80% allocated to female STEM students. It also launched the #StanbicDreamChasers community to offer mentorship, peer support, internships, and national service opportunities for young innovators.
“At Stanbic Bank, we bank on ideas. We bank on innovation. And most importantly, we bank on people,” Ms. Asare emphasized. “Supporting initiatives like this bootcamp is not just corporate responsibility - it’s a strategic investment in Ghana’s future.”
Prof. Ibok Oduro, President and Founder of KNUST Women in STEM (WiSTEMGh), expressed gratitude to Stanbic Bank Ghana for its continued support and leadership in empowering the next generation of game changers.
Through mentorship, hands-on learning, and practical STEM challenges, the annual WiSTEM bootcamp empowers girls with the tools to thrive in a competitive, innovation-driven world. Acknowledging that underrepresentation in STEM stems not from lack of ability, but from systemic barriers and limited access, Stanbic Bank collaborates with like-minded institutions to close the gender gap and shape a more inclusive future for science and technology.
Picture: Estelle Jacqueline Asare, Head, Innovation & Digital Transformations – Stanbic Bank Ghana