Charlotte Atakimah, from Zuarungu, is a chemist, polymer scientist, and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Ghana’s Upper East Region. Her journey into science began early, shaped by supportive mentors and personal determination, leading her to remarkable achievements in chemistry and research.
A Passion for Science from Childhood
Growing up in Ghana, science was an integral part of Charlotte’s education. “Science is part of the main Ghanaian curriculum, so I started reading science from class one,” she recalls.
Her teachers recognized her academic excellence and frequently encouraged her to pursue medicine due to her high grades. “They kept telling me that I could become whoever I wanted to be, and especially because my grades were so good that I could become a medical doctor,” she said.
This motivation led her to develop a keen interest in science, particularly in chemistry, and she chose to study general science at the senior high school level.
Polymer science, her chosen field, is an applied science that merges chemistry and physics to create products for everyday human use. “You’ve heard of polytank—polymers are used for making those large rotational tanks for storage. Polymers are used for all insulation materials, electrical insulation materials, and even the mattresses we use at home,” she explained.
Charlotte’s fascination with this branch of chemistry guided her academic and professional journey.
Overcoming Challenges to Excel in Science
Charlotte faced significant challenges along her educational path. Transitioning to boarding school, she initially lost focus due to an unserious academic environment. When I went to SHS, I met two batches of students in their final year, form fours and form threes, and the environment was such that these students were not even serious. So when I got there, I felt like I had more time. Final years were not even serious. So it made me lose focus and it actually affected my performance at senior high school,” she admitted.
Though she did not fail, her performance in senior high school did not match her earlier expectations.
Another hurdle was being one of only five girls in a class of forty boys. “We were not many. I went to a mixed school. I went to Big Boss, and were we five girls? Yes, in the midst of about 40 boys. So we were not so many,” she noted. Despite the occasional setbacks, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of excellence.
Her university years also came with challenges. Funding her research during her master’s studies was particularly difficult, as scientific research is expensive.
“I had finished undergrad, I had just finished national service, I wasn’t working, but I enrolled to do a master’s in polymer science and, of course, research was part and scientific research is very expensive. So when I was done with the coursework, how to fund my research was a problem,” she recalled.
At one point, she considered deferring her studies due to financial constraints. However, her exceptional academic performance and faith in divine intervention led her to persevere. “Several people that I didn’t know came to my aid,” she shared.
Scientific Breakthroughs and International Recognition
Charlotte’s research focused on synthesizing a catalyst for converting waste plastics into fuel, a sustainable innovation with significant environmental benefits. “I wanted to synthesize a catalyst for the conversion of waste plastics to fuel, and this catalyst is a commercial catalyst which has to be imported into the country. I wanted to use local materials—clay and rice husks—to make them,” she explained.
Instead of relying on expensive imported catalysts, she explored the use of local materials to develop an alternative solution.
Her groundbreaking work gained recognition on international platforms. In March 2024, she presented her research at the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World conference, winning the Best Oral Presentation Award.
“Most of the people who were given the opportunity to give an oral presentation were lecturers, but this was just an M’Phil student. I wasn’t even done, but I was given the opportunity, and when I presented, I was given the Best Oral Presentation Award,” she said.
Later that year, in October, she was selected as one of six Ghanaian delegates and the only female representative to present at the Pan-Africa Chemistry Network conference in Nairobi, Kenya. “We were just six delegates from Ghana, and I was the only female,” she added. These achievements validated her dedication to science and research.
The Importance of Science and the Future of Ghana’s Innovation
Charlotte emphasizes that science education should be about acquiring practical skills for real-world applications. “The main goal of education is to give you skills to function in the real world. It’s not about being strict or limited to a particular field but being versatile enough to be able to function well wherever you find yourself,” she noted.
Her career journey exemplifies this adaptability, as she seamlessly transitioned into her current role at NHIA, leveraging her analytical and problem-solving skills to excel as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.
She acknowledges that while excelling in science is challenging, it is not impossible. “Well, it is challenging, yes, but not impossible. You can do it. It’s just that you have to be intentional. You can’t be casual about it and do well,” she advised. Her advice to young scientists is to stay committed and disciplined in their pursuits.
A Hope for the Next Generation
Charlotte envisions a future where more young Ghanaians engage in science and research, leading to groundbreaking inventions and patents. “In Ghana, we have very few people who are engaged in science or who are into the sciences. So for the next generation, my dream is to see more young people getting into the sciences and maybe going into research, coming up with inventions and patents, and opening factories for manufacturing,” she shared.
She dreams of a shift from Ghana’s heavy reliance on imported goods to a nation driven by local manufacturing and production, powered by scientific advancements. “Right now, we are heavily dependent on imported goods. That is because a lot of us are not into manufacturing and production. So if we read those science fields, that will enable us to produce products to meet the needs of Ghanaians, then we’ll move the country forward,” she concluded.
Charlotte Atakimah’s journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring scientists, particularly young women, proving that with determination and perseverance, one can break barriers and make a lasting impact in the world of science.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Bolgatanga
