Afua Genfi
BIO
Lecturer in biochemistry and mother of two.
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Afua Genfi
“Being a mum in science is very challenging.”
I am Afua Kobi Ampem Genfi, Lecturer with the University for Development Studies, a mother, a wife, a mentor to girls in Senior High School and an entrepreneur.
The first four months of pregnancy in my life were very challenging. Several times I thought of deferring my final year in my Masters education but I never wished. I stayed strong. Thanks to God I was able to finish my research on time. I defended my thesis three months after birth and I was the only one among my mates who finished work on time and was able to graduate (KNUST, Department of Biochemistry, Graduating Class 2020).
The very day I took my certificate, I had recovered from sickness in the fourth month of my second pregnancy. I did apply for a job that very day and by God’s grace I had the job. Hence moved from my region (Ashanti Region) to another (Northern Region) with my 18 month old baby at five months pregnant.
This journey has not been easy at all because I was all by myself since Daddy was also in another region (Greater Accra Region).
Being a mum in science is very challenging. As a perfectionist that likes to go by the philosophy “if it must be done, then must be done well” it becomes frustrating.
Because I would want to bond with my kids and husband as well as carry on research which is time and presence demanding. Having to prepare the kids for us to go to work is challenging at times. I remember I missed a conference I really wanted to participate in because I couldn't get a babysitter.
Now I have adopted so many strategies to make me stress less, cause at one point I had to go to the hospital because of stress.
All things have their specific place hence, after using an item it has to be placed exactly where it was picked from. Thanks to God my soon to be 2 year old has picked up faster and had to even prompt me in doing the right thing at times when I go overboard.
I am a fitness enthusiast hence I used their rhymes in exercising to get them excited.
In my life career path, nothing has changed that much. All is as planned, just that it takes me a bit of time to finish most write-ups I could have done in a blink when I was not a mother.
When I get external help, I quickly enter the washroom to continue some write-ups. I do motivate myself with the quote “if you want to go far then go with others”, and the kids are my “others”.
In this journey my family has been helpful from a distance. My husband is my number one motivator because I remember when I was 8 months pregnant he had to travel 12 hours by bus to come and care for the then 18 months old girl for me to attend a conference in another region. But to be honest it can be frustrating at times. I love my kids but at times I felt like I should have waited to finish my PhD before.
Mothers in Science, God is our Guide.