Accra: The Ghana Young Academy (GhYA) has called upon students to consider science and engineering as vital tools for tackling both community and national issues. Dr. Latifatu Mohammed, Co-Chair of GhYA, highlighted the significant role that these fields play in addressing pressing global and national challenges, such as climate change, infrastructure development, healthcare innovation, and digital transformation.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Mohammed addressed students at Kwabenya Community Senior High School in Accra during an outreach event marking World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development. She encouraged the students to perceive science and engineering as avenues for innovation and problem-solving. Dr. Mohammed emphasized that engineering is centered on creativity, curiosity, and the courage to question how things can be improved to enhance lives.
During her speech, Dr. Mohammed urged students not to fear mathematics and science but to embrace these subjects as opportunities to devise solutions to real-world problems. The event brought together scientists, educators, and students, featuring activities like an engineering talk, a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) quiz competition, and robotics demonstrations. These activities aimed to provide students with practical insights into the applications of science and engineering.
Hajia Rahinatu Yakubu Salifu, Headmistress of Kwabenya Community Senior High School, expressed her gratitude to GhYA for choosing the school as the host for the event. She noted that World Engineering Day, celebrated globally on March 4 each year, acknowledges the crucial role engineers play in building infrastructure, enhancing water and sanitation systems, and driving innovation. Salifu highlighted the importance of such opportunities in building student confidence and exposing them to potential careers in science and engineering.
The STEM quiz competition engaged students with questions about engineering concepts and science, offering cash prizes and certificates to the winners. Additionally, students were introduced to emerging technologies through a robotics demonstration. Members and alumni of the GhYA, along 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.
The GhYA, as the youth arm of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, is dedicated to promoting science outreach, research collaboration, and policy engagement.