An exhibition to invoke scientific consciousness, innovation, and creativity among children opened in Accra on Tuesday.

The maiden event, dubbed “Back to the science museum,” was organised by the Museums of Science and Technology (MST) to emphasise Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in Ghana.  

The exhibition, financed by the Embassy of France in Ghana, through the Sankofa projects to support higher education and research in the field of tourism, would be open to the public daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The items on display included a 1938 aeroplane engine, a life-size model of a spacecraft, a 1993 aeroplane tyre, a 1968 United Africa Company manufactured rover car, a 1968 differential axle, a miniature replica of the Bia River Ship.

Others included an elephant skull, the jawbone of a sperm whale, cameras and projectors from the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and National Film and Television Institute, an integrated circuits display, and a 1988 car manufactured by an 18-year-old.     

The Executive Director of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), Kingsley OfosuNtiamoah, revealed that the MST was established with a key mandate of ensuring that scientific skills and appropriate technologies in Ghana were preserved for purposes of public education, through exhibitions and teaching aids.

He explained that the exhibition aligned with the government’s renewed commitment to advancing the frontier of science and technology, and interest in promoting STEM education through the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.

Mr Ntiamoah cited the 1988 car manufactured by an 18-year-old as an example of what could be achieved if STEM education was developed massively in the country.  

“We are taking this opportunity to invite the Ghanaian populace to come to the science museum to motivate and let our children know that if we want to learn we can do whatever the Western world is also doing,” he lamented.

The Head of Cooperation at the French Embassy in Ghana, Mr Alexander Foulon, for his part revealed that the MST was awarded a sum of about GH¢ 34,000.00 to revamp the MST after several calls to the embassy.

“We launched a call for proposals and the MST applied, and was selected. The funding given to the MST was part of larger support to the GMMB under the Sankofa project,” he hinted.  

Mr Fuolon pledged the embassy’s support towards new and existing projects as it would pave the way for other support for GMMB and MST.