Tamale: Professor Abdul-Rauf Ibrahim, a lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the Tamale Technical University, has called on the government to make deliberate investments in science infrastructure to secure Ghana's future development. He emphasized that despite the recognition of the importance of science and mathematics education by successive governments, the lack of adequate laboratories, equipment, and research facilities continues to hinder effective science education and innovation in the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Ibrahim made these remarks in an interview on the sidelines of the 2026 Africa Science Week celebration held in Tamale. The event, themed 'Harnessing Science and Innovation for Africa's Sustainable Future', was organized by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Network in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. It gathered students from selected secondary and tertiary institutions, educators, and stakeholders in the education sector. The initiative, spanning from May 14 to May 30, 2026, aims to promote science engagement and innovation through activities such as science expos, coding workshops, robotics demonstrations, Women in STEM forums, and academic exchanges.
Professor Ibrahim highlighted the challenges faced by technical institutions due to policy makers often lacking a science background. Using Tamale Technical University as an example, he explained that programmes developed by technical universities are frequently assessed by traditional universities, which have significantly different mandates. He stated, "A lot of the time, what we see as important, they don't see it as important, and eventually you have to adjust to what they want."
He stressed the urgent need for funding support, as many researchers and lecturers in Ghana are unable to conduct impactful studies due to inadequate funding and the absence of modern laboratories. Professor Ibrahim pointed out that many academics resort to "desktop or survival research" because they lack the infrastructure necessary to compete for major international grants.
The professor called for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to foster innovation and practical research outcomes. He suggested that industries should establish direct links with educational institutions, enabling researchers to address practical industrial challenges while advocating for government support to provide universities with resources and opportunities.
Discussing science education at both pre-tertiary and tertiary levels, Professor Ibrahim noted that while Ghana has developed sound policies and curriculum frameworks, particularly with the introduction of Competency-Based Training, implementation remains weak due to poor infrastructure. He explained that competency-based learning requires students to work with real equipment and laboratories, yet many schools lack such facilities.
Professor Ibrahim concluded by urging the government to invest in modern laboratories, complete abandoned infrastructure projects, and enter bilateral agreements to equip institutions with the necessary technology.