Ketan(WR) , Feb. 15, GNA – Dr. Manfred Quarshie, President of Space Science Systems Research Institute (SSSRI), says the decline in the interest of the  study of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, (STEM) disciplines across the nation has consequential impact on the country’s future. 

He, therefore, stressed the urgent need for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics knowledge to Ghana’s future workforce and the need for the  education system to address the failure to give young people the skills which businesses so desperately needed.  

According to Him, the STEM training must be made a priority for all females to stimulate critical-thinking skills, fosters collaboration and prioritizes problem-based learning, which drives innovation, and serve as fuel for economic success.  

He was speaking at the Ahantaman Senior High School in commemoration of the United Nations 2022 International Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to spark new interests, make real-life connections, fight stereotypes and obstacles facing young girls and women in Ghana.  

“Our goal is that through demonstrations, conversations and engaging in hands-on practical base experiments presented by experts in STEM education, young girls will become empowered, cultivate confidence, and develop a deeper understanding that everything is possible in life and in the world.” 

The occasion was used to launch the Rescue Assistance Robot project expected to be completed within the space of six months.  

He expressed worry that Ghana had persistent inequities in access, participation, and success in STEM subjects that existed along socioeconomic, gender and geographic lines, as well as among students with disabilities.  

According to UNESCO data (2014 – 2016), less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women and only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 per cent). 

This long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are scaring women and girls away from science related fields and in order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, declaring 11 February  annually as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.  

In recognition of the widening skills and opportunity gaps in STEM, he called for collaboration between SSSRI and Ahantaman SHS to motivate action to meet the demands of a technology-driven economy, ensure national security and maintain preeminence in scientific research and technological innovation.  

Dr. Quarshie commended the government for the establishment of STEM centres across the country and the plans to devote a minimum of one per cent of GDP towards the promotion of research and development expenditure of STEM education in the country.  

“This shows that STEM education has been recognized as a key driver of opportunity in equipping learners with the knowledge, hands-on skills and dispositions to effect changes in our society…science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” 

The SSSRI as part of the vision to support the government efforts and better prepare  students for the rapid socioeconomic, scientific and technological developments ahead, recommend the facilitation of the ongoing renewal of the school curriculum that is essential for their lifelong learning and whole-person development.  

He expressed confidence that the collaboration with Ahantaman Girls would lead to a new phase of quality education that can unleash the potential of all students and equip them with requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes to live and develop in the contemporary world of evolving science and technology. 

 Mrs. Ernestina Hammond Kankam, the Headmistress of Ahantaman Girls’ SHS, said the school was privileged to have a Team from SSSRI to Launch a STEM Project in the school. 

The project, the Rescue Assistance Robot, is expected to be completed within six months.  

Mrs Kankam prayed that the interest of the students would be sustained and nurtured through higher education for meaningful impact.