A Study of the Female Leadership Paradigm in Takoradi Technical University

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to examine the reasons for the underrepresentation of females in leadership positions in Takoradi Technical University. This thesis is based on the fact that there are less female leaders than male leaders both globally and in Ghana. The phenomenological qualitative research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised all three females occupying leadership position in the Academic departments and all four females in the Administrative sections. In all, seven (7) females occupying leadership positions in TTU were interviewed. The seven interviewees were interviewed individually. The interviews were transcribed and analysed. The intelligent verbatim transcription method was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that there are more male leaders than their female counterparts. The study found out that though some females were part of the leadership team, it was seen that majority of the leadership positions were being occupied by males. The participants were of the view that a leaders’ gender does not matter but were quick to add that females do not show the same aggressiveness and drive as males. Stereotyping and how to combine work and family balance, low level of education, the perception that women are their own enemies, and fear were found to be some of the major reasons for the underrepresentation of females in leadership positions. The study made a number of recommendations which when implemented will increase the number of females in leadership positions in tertiary institutions in Ghana.