Young scientists told to solve problems facing communities

Tamale, Aug. 29, GNA - Professor Haruna Yakubu, the new Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), has urged budding young scientists in the country to identify problems in their communities and strive to find solutions to them.

He said it was important that young scientists took a closer look at the environment, identify problems and consistently work at them and develop simple technologies that would improve upon the living standards of their communities.

Professor Yakubu was addressing the first Northern Regional Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) camp in Tamale on Saturday.

The camp, which had participating Junior High Schools from the various districts in the Region was on the theme: "Mobilising the youth through science, technology and innovations for better Ghana agenda".

The STI clinics were introduced two decades ago by government as a policy aimed at closing the gender gap that existed in the field of science and technology and to promote the balance in the study and application of science in Junior High Schools (JHSs).

Professor Yakubu encouraged the students to make use of the Internet for their studies and also to undertake research that would enable them to be abreast with current technological developments in the world.

He also suggested the formation of a junior membership club of the Ghana Science Association (GSA) so that the senior association could mentor them.

Mrs Elizabeth De-Souza, Northern Regional Director of Education said the Science, Technology, Mathematics and Education (STME) clinics though geared towards science and technology had become one way concentrating on the preparation of pomade, soap, batik and dye.

She said there was therefore the need to keep abreast with the time and prepare the students to be innovative and creative in coming out with better ideas and ways of solving issues on energy, agriculture, mathematics and ICT.

The Regional Director emphasized the need for science teachers to be committed to their work by being punctual, well prepared and using participatory methods to impact knowledge to the students.

She also called on directors of education and science, mathematics and vocational coordinators to support the schools in their directorates to create enabling environments in the schools and also build the capacity of teachers to revise their methods and practices, saying this would go a long way to make the children creative.

Mr Sam Nasamu Asabigi, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, said government would continue to deepen the science culture among students and in fulfillment of this it would provide the necessary infrastructure and logistics to the schools.

He also urged district assemblies in the Region to invest more in the development and education of science in their areas.