Mrs Gladys Amaning, Kumasi Metropolitan Director of Education, has asked Ghanaians to support government's efforts at promoting science and technology education.
This, she said, is because science and technology has always been the basis for wealth creation, be it agriculture, health, manufacturing, industry or
the exploitation of natural resources.
She said it is the way forward for sustainable development and must be accorded the importance, if Ghana is to succeed in raising the living
standards of the people and achieve a balanced economy.
Mrs Amaning was addressing the closing of the 2009 Kumasi Metropolitan Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) clinic at the Serwaa
Nyarko Senior High School in Kumasi on Friday.
The three-day session attracted 40 selected JHS pupils mostly girls, from all the sub-metropolitan areas in Kumasi and was held under the theme,
"Quality Science and Technology for Quality Development Programme".
Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) provided the funding. Mrs Amaning noted that, Ghanaians and Africans in general are perishing from diseases and hunger because they are not adequately developed scientifically and technologically.
"As a result, even in the midst of abundant natural resources and rich national diversity, we are confronted by poverty. We lack the requisite
knowledge and skills to harness our natural resources to our advantage," she added.
She said investing, especially in science, technology and mathematics education, is one of the best things a developing nation like Ghana could think of. "We believe if we give our youth the opportunity to acquire and apply the
requisite scientific and technological knowledge, they would impact positively on the quality of life of the people, ensure environmental
friendliness and contribute meaningfully towards national development," Mrs Amaning emphasized.
She commended district assemblies, parliamentarians and traditional rulers
for their continued support for the STME programme and advised pupils to appreciate science and technology and apply them in their daily lives.
Dr Maa Pabia Kwapong of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), urged the participants, especially the
girls to be determined, disciplined and commit themselves to the study of these subjects.
She said science and technology was not a fearful area as perceived by some girls. What was needed was to set their minds right and study to make it.
Mrs Emelia Konadu, Kumasi Metro Coordinator of STME, said the objective of the clinic was to bridge the gender gap in the study of science and its related subjects, expose students to areas that were not normally covered in the formal school system, get them to know of the wide range of science related occupations and women in various fields, as well as assist them to use the computer.
She appealed to philanthropists, traditional rulers and others to support such clinics financially to ensure that more pupils benefit.
Mr Joseph Onyinah, Ashanti Regional Director of Education, who chaired the function, urged the participants, especially the girls, to be determined, disciplined and have faith in God in order to succeed in their chosen learning fields.