Ghanaian Children Must Not Only Consume Technology But Create It — Haruna Iddrisu

By Stanley Kwabla Arku

Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu has declared the revival of the Basic Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (BSTEM) project a “national investment” critical to securing the country’s future through innovation, resilience, and excellence.

Speaking at the BSTEM teacher training programme in Sunyani, the Minister stressed that preparing Ghanaian children for a technology-driven future requires urgent investment in both modern curricula and 21st-century teacher training.

“STEM is not only about laboratories and formulas but about building a nation,” the Minister said. “It is about finding solutions to our everyday challenges, from food security to climate change, health care, and sustainable energy. It is about equipping the Ghanaian child not only to consume technology but to create it.”

The BSTEM project, which began under the leadership of then Education Minister Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang between 2012 and 2016, originally set out to tackle challenges in teaching Science and Mathematics at the basic school level. Over the years, it expanded to embrace global trends, evolving into a full-scale BSTEM initiative.

However, the project stalled for several years before being revived at the end of 2024. With its relaunch, the Ministry of Education is now placing teachers at the center of the country’s STEM revolution, ensuring they are trained to deliver inquiry-based learning, problem-solving, and creativity rather than rote memorization.

“Our curriculum is designed to create pathways for learners to identify and develop their talents early,” the Minister explained. “But no curriculum can succeed without teachers who are equipped with modern knowledge and digital tools. This programme ensures that Ghanaian teachers are prepared to integrate innovation into their classrooms.”

The Minister also linked the initiative to Ghana’s economic future, emphasizing that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, and renewable energy are creating industries that demand new skills.

“If Ghana is to compete on the global stage, create decent jobs, and build a resilient economy, we must produce a generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and critical thinkers grounded in STEM from the earliest stages of education,” he said.

He commended teachers and facilitators for their role in shaping the next generation, pledging the Ministry’s continued support in providing training, infrastructure, and resources to strengthen STEM education nationwide.

The Sunyani training programme is part of a broader strategy to whip up early interest in STEM among basic school pupils, cultivating curiosity, creativity, and confidence that could nurture Ghana’s next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.