Episode Seven (7) of the “Alumnus of the Week”, hosted on the Cape Coast Technical University’s (CCTU) Eagle FM, featured Engr. Dr. (Mrs.) Panin Asirifua Obeng as “Alumna of the Week”. The initiative forms part of the University’s 40th Anniversary activities to honour and project the accomplishments of hardworking alumni.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwaku Adutwum Ayim Boakye, on behalf of the University Management, officially introduced Engr. Dr. (Mrs.) Panin Asirifua Obeng.

He described Engr. Dr. (Mrs.) Obeng as a distinguished civil engineering educator and researcher with expertise in water and wastewater engineering. Dr. (Mrs.) Obeng began her tertiary academic journey at CCTU, where she obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering. She later pursued an MSc in Water and Environmental Management at the University of Staffordshire, United Kingdom, and completed a PhD in Environmental Sanitation and Waste Management at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Starting her career as a laboratory technician, Engr. Dr. (Mrs.) Obeng gradually advanced through academia, serving as an Assistant Lecturer from 2011 to 2014, and currently as a Lecturer at CCTU. With over a decade of teaching experience and a strong research portfolio, she has established herself as an expert in environmental science and waste management, focusing her research on sanitation systems, water quality management, and environmental sustainability.

As part of her PhD research, Engr. Dr. Obeng explored non-sewage sanitation systems, particularly Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines. She observed that improper construction methods, due to limited technical knowledge among artisans, often led to poorly functioning facilities that contributed to issues such as open defecation. To address this, she sought institutional approval to construct an experimental VIP latrine on campus to study its design and performance.

Her research focused on improving ventilation and odour control to enhance usability. Upon completion, she generously handed over the experimental facility to the University for continued use and research purposes.

During the interview, Engr. Dr. Obeng expressed her profound gratitude for being recognised by her alma mater, noting that she had not expected such an honour. As an educator, she emphasised her passion for mentoring young people, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve real-world challenges related to water, sanitation, and public health. She revealed her desire to further her research by developing more academic papers to advance discourse in her field.

Engr. Dr. Obeng also reflected on the challenges of balancing multiple responsibilities as a wife, mother, professional, and academic. She explained that perseverance, ambition, and faith had helped her manage such roles successfully. She encouraged young women to stay focused and dedicated, regardless of challenges, assuring them that hard work and consistency would eventually lead to recognition and success.

In addressing the underrepresentation of women in engineering, Engr. Dr. Obeng acknowledged that the field remained male dominated but emphasised that determination and zeal had enabled her to make an impact. She urged young ladies not to be discouraged by obstacles but to pursue their goals with commitment and confidence, trusting that their efforts would bear fruit in due time.

Through her dedication to education, research, and community service, Engr. Dr. (Mrs.) Panin Asirifua Obeng, continues to serve as an inspiring example to both her students and the wider national community.

Source: Directorate of Public Affairs

Date: October 27, 2025