By Caleb Kuleke
Ho, June 22, GNA – Dr Marian Selorm Sapah, a cosmochemist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Earth Science, has called for the inclusion of space science in Ghana’s basic education curriculum to prepare the youth for a technologically driven future.
She said many economies were advancing rapidly due to their understanding and application of space science, and Ghana must take the necessary steps to keep pace and avoid lagging behind.
Dr Sapah explained that space science was not only about exploring distant planets but also served as a vital tool for national development, providing real-time data that influenced policy decisions.
She made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Ho during an interaction with students of Ho-Kpodzi E.P Basic A and OLA Senior High School.
Dr Sapah, who is also the Founder of The Travelling Telescope Space GH, a non-profit organisation, said the initiative sought to inspire curiosity and promote scientific literacy by bringing the wonders of science, planetary awareness, and space exploration directly to students and the public.
She noted that early exposure to space science would help nurture the next generation of Ghanaian astronomers, data analysts, and engineers, while also fostering a positive mindset towards science among students.
The cosmochemist cautioned that delaying the introduction of space science until higher education limited the country’s scientific potential and weakened the interest of children who aspired to pursue careers in the field.
Dr Sapah emphasised the need for Ghana to adapt quickly to global changes by integrating space science into the curriculum to ensure that future generations were not left behind.
She said that most children develop career interests long before entering high school, therefore early exposure was critical to piqueing their interest and eliminating any anxiety associated with the area.
She stated that the engagement aimed to introduce the students to the scientific realm and the prospects available therein, enabling them to consider it as a career option, emphasising the importance of knowledge and awareness in guiding decision-making.
Dr Sapah said most children are unaware of how space impacts the environment, therefore instilling that awareness in them would help them understand the importance of protecting, preserving, and conserving the environment.
The engagement was organised by The Travelling Telescope Space GH in collaboration with DA Humanitarian Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, founded by Mama Bobi III, Afetornyonufia (queenmother) of Ho Bankoe in Asogli State.
Mama Bobi III, in an interview with the GNA, supported Dr Sapah’s advocacy for the incorporation of space science into the basic education curriculum, asserting that the current curriculum restricts children’s access to available opportunities.
The QueenMother stated that circumstances are constantly changing, necessitating the country’s alignment with these developments to produce and provide the youth with essential possibilities for their advancement.
Mama Bobi III described the engagement as laudable, noting that the majority of the youth lacked awareness of space science and its potential opportunities.
She underscored the necessity of introducing children to these opportunities at an early stage to provide them with options in selecting their careers, noting that many lacked the inclination to pursue such programmes due to insufficient exposure.
She stated that the DA Humanitarian Foundation seeks to promote social intervention and educational initiatives to provide opportunity for individuals to improve their lives.
The Queenmother assured that her outfit would continue in advocating for projects that foster the growth of her community.
She urged the students to maintain concentration and determination, and to exert effort in order to realise their aspirations.
Some of the students, who spoke to the GNA conveyed gratitude to Dr Sapah and Mama Bobi for organising the programme, which they asserted had broadened their awareness of available alternatives.
They indicated that the programme had sparked their instant interest in space science, leading them to contemplate it as a potential career option.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah