STEM Will Birth The Next Generation of Leaders and Entrepreneurs In Ghana – Says Education Director

Akatsi South Director of Education Karim, Ayaana Umar (left) presenting a prize to one of the winners.

By Desmond Tinana

The Director of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, (STEM) Karim Ayaana Umar in the Akatsi South District of Education in the Volta Region of Ghana has said STEM Education will birth the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. He made this known at the recently ended STEM Camp/Workshop held at the Keta Senior High Technical School.

According to Mr. Umar to be able to navigate through the complexities of the 21st century, critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving are required making STEM education not only the bedrock upon which the future is built but also the cornerstone for progress and development in our world as we are in an era of heightening challenges and complexities of the 21st century. “In fact, we stand at the knife edge of this era, and in the event that we lose our balance, the system will collapse.”

The Akatsi South Director of Education proceeded by lecturing congregants and affirming that “STEM education encourages curiosity, fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. STEM Education develops students with analytical minds, capable of interpreting data and making informed decisions. In the realm of Science, we explore the mysteries of the universe, unraveling its secrets to the world and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge because STEM Education holds the key to solving global challenges such as climate change and water pollution, mainly by ‘Galamsey,’ energy crisis and transportation challenges. STEM education will drive the future through technological innovation, transforming industries and improving life. STEM Education will birth the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs who will serve as change-makers. Technology empowers us to be creative, connective, and transformative in a way once deemed unimaginable. With Science and Technology, unimaginable things are possible.

STEM Education transcends borders, cultures, and languages thereby promoting unity and understanding among people all over the world. STEM Education connects people globally, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Mathematics is the language of the universe and underpins all fields, providing us with the tools to analyze, quantify, and understand the world around us. STEM Education is indeed the key to unlocking the boundless potentials of our world.”

He added that the theme of the event ‘STEM Education: Our Pride, Our Future and Our World.’ couldn’t have been any better “because it resonates strongly; as it underscores the critical role STEM education plays in an attempt to shape our collective destiny, …as a people and a nation.” reiterating that “inasmuch as we embrace the concept of STEM Education, we need to actualize it through a concerted and collectively resolve.”

The aims of the one-week STMIE Camp included, among others, equipping students to overcome the fear they have for Science and Mathematics, boosting participation in Science education, and ultimately equipping students with the skills to achieve higher performance in WASSCE.

Participants, who included students from Private and Public Senior High Schools across the length and breadth of the Volta Region, were also encouraged to develop Science Projects that will address the challenges of the 21st century, which include Climate Change, Transport, Energy, Agriculture, Clean Water, and Sanitation.

Mr. Umar, therefore, charged teachers to demystify the negative perception of teaching and learning science. “Science teachers should no more be seen as the tough and wicked teachers in our Senior High Schools. Mathematics and Science teachers should stop using phrases like ‘Do you think mathematics is for girls?’ ‘You need big brains to do science’, etc. We need to engage students in practical lessons to improve students’ ability to recollect facts and innovate.”

He charged schools to intensify practical lessons in the teaching of science through increased supervision and the provision of enough resources.

He also called on the Government, the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, Municipal Chief Executives, Stakeholders, and Managers of education to invest in quality STEM Education, making it more accessible and inclusive.

Students were also encouraged to leverage the opportunity being handed to them by concentrating on their books and studying as a way of appreciating the efforts made by our parents, teachers, and the State by the Director.

Some students were also awarded for their performance during the event. They include:

Overall Best Student – Okoe Belinda Naa Adjeley (Ketasco -Keta Municipal)
Best In Chemistry – Mborty Darwin Vera (Anfoesec – North Dayi)
Best In ICT – Denatsah Oliver (KetaBusco – Keta Municipal)
Best In Mathematics – Agbakpe Overcomer (Ketasco – Keta Municipal)
Best In Biology – Akaho Vincent Kekeli (St. Paul- Ketu South)
Best In Physics – Nwolisa Oliver (Anlo SHS – Anloga)
Best In Agric. Science – Tsikata – Fumador Olivia (Ketasco – Keta Municipal)

Best Project went to Central Tongu District for their Smart Bin Project and 2nd Best Project went to Anloga District for their creation of a Water Dispenser.