[01] Lucy Attom, Department of Social Studies, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. [02] Jemima Ayensu, Department of Social Studies, Holy Child School, Cape Coast, Ghana. [03] Anderson Oppong Twumasi, Department of Basic Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. [04] Regine Kwaw, Department of Education, Enchi College of Education, Enchi, Ghana. [05] Jacob Oppong Nkrumah, Department of Social Studies, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.

The role and contribution of women in modern organisations have been remarkable. However, societal norms and other patriarchal values continue to stifle the progress of women leaders. The purpose of this study was to examine the challenges women in leadership positions face and coping mechanisms adopted in managing the challenges in the Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The Phenomenological design was used for this study. The population of the study comprised all female headmistresses and female assistant headmistresses in the Senior High Schools within the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana. Purposive sampling technique was used to select all the fourteen (14) Headmistresses and Assistant Headmistresses in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The main instrument used for data collection for the study was semi-structured interview guide. The qualitative data was analysed by the use of the interpretative technique based on the themes related to the research questions. The study concluded that women in leadership positions are fiercely resisted by men, and the women in authority who are married are frustrated by their husbands also to compound their woes. The findings of study also concluded that the coping mechanism adopted by most women in leadership position, especially in SHS in Cape Coast was the epistemological stance of ethnography and thus, find solace in God to intervene. It is recommended that the Ghana education service should package special incentives for women who aspire and achieve the outmost leadership role of becoming heads of Senior High Schools as it will serve as a motivation for the young women generation. It is also recommended that women in leadership position in the Ghana Education Service are advised to learn by updating their skills and competencies to grow in confidence.

Challenges, Strategies, Women, Educational Leadership, Cape Coast Metropolis

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