By Edward Acquah, GNA
Accra, March 9, GNA – The Ghana Young Academy (GhYA) has urged students to view science and engineering as tools for solving community and national challenges.
Dr Latifatu Mohammed, Co-Chair of GhYA, said science and engineering played a key role in addressing global and national issues, including climate change, infrastructure development, healthcare innovation and digital transformation.
Speaking to students at Kwabenya Community Senior High School in Accra during an outreach programme to mark World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, she encouraged them to see science and engineering as tools for innovation and problem-solving.
“Engineering is fundamentally about creativity, curiosity, and the courage to ask questions about how we can make things work better and improve lives,” she said.
Dr Mohammed urged students not to be intimidated by mathematics and science but to embrace them as opportunities to develop solutions to real-world problems.
The programme brought together scientists, educators and students for activities including an engineering talk, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) quiz competition and robotics demonstrations to expose students to practical applications of science and engineering.
Hajia Rahinatu Yakubu Salifu, Headmistress of Kwabenya Community Senior High School, commended the GhYA for selecting the school to host the event.
She said World Engineering Day, observed globally on March 4 each year, recognised the role of engineers in building infrastructure, improving water and sanitation systems and advancing innovation.
“Opportunities like this help build confidence and expose students to future careers in science and engineering,” she said.
The STEM quiz competition allowed students to answer questions on engineering concepts and science, with winners receiving cash prizes and certificates.
Students were also introduced to emerging technologies through a robotics demonstration.
Members and alumni of the GhYA, together with scientists from the CSIR–Institute of Industrial Research and partners including Firefly and the Joyful Journey Career Counselling and Mentorship Institute, facilitated the sessions and interacted with the students.
During her moderation of the programme, Dr. Jennifer Afrifa Yamoah advised the students to take advantage of mentorship opportunities and practical learning experiences.
She noted that the future of innovation in Ghana depended on young people who were willing to explore science, ask questions, and apply knowledge to solve real-world challenges
The GhYA is the youth arm of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and works to promote science outreach, research collaboration and policy engagement.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey