The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo is entreating stakeholders in the educational sector to build a strong foundation in the basic sciences from the basic level.

He believes making Science attractive at all levels of the educational ladder is key in building a STEM-focused nation.

“It’s worrying we haven’t watched the pipeline for the supply of the pursuant of science for the basic school.

“I’m entreating all us who believe in the basic science to look at the pipeline all the way from the primary school through to the Junior High and through to the Senior High school. So that the pipeline is created for us to look at basic sciences at the tertiary level.

“I’m looking at what we can do to make basic science attractive at all levels,” he said.

Prof. Ellis spoke at the 12^th GSA Research Seminar and Poster Presentations and the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD-2023).

The conference was under the theme: The role of basic sciences for sustainable development. It was supported by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP).

The president of the Ghana Science Association, Kumasi branch, Prof. Jacob Agbenorhevi stressed the crucial role basic sciences play in the achievement of the SDGs.

“The conference presents another opportunity to showcase and educate on how basic Sciences have contributed to and continue to make tremendous impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through scientific research works, technology, innovations and partnerships,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the vice-chancellor, Prof. Ellis emphasized KNUST’s resolve to promote activities that facilitates the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The thrust of the SDGs has the pursuant of science or basic science for that matter. KNUST encourages and is open for collaboration or activities that help to achieve the SDGs. One of them is certainly what you’re doing today,” she stated.

This year’s conference was both in-person and online.

The 2-day event was organised in collaboration with the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS), KNUST College of Science and Young Researchers Forum of the Office of Grants and Research (OGR) KNUST.

Past president of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) Prof. Aba Bentil Andam was happy the Academy is championing the studying of basic sciences.

https://d149d2181df24c3ebfc81c50fd890221.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html “The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Ghana’s premier learned Society is happy to lead the celebration of IYBSSD, 2022/2023,” she stated.