The Ghana Space Science Technology Institute in collaboration with the Africa Space Agency Lunar Research Programme and Africa Lunar Experimental Station has marked the 2024 edition of the International Moon Day at the Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory at Kutunse in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Region.

International Moon Day, which is one of the latest United Nations special days was first celebrated in 2021.

Celebrated on July 20 every year, the event is aimed at remembering the day in 1969 when a human being set foot on the surface of the moon for the first time.

Commemorating the day in Ghana, a space science competition Dubbed: the HackaThon Challenge was organized for students from some selected schools in the Greater Accra Region as part of the celebration.

With the topic "Sustainable Food Security in Space", the competition focused on Ghana’s preparation to send astronauts and researchers to the moon by 2030 as part of the Africa Space Agency Lunar Research Programme, Omni Africa Space Exploration Analogue Simulation (OASEAS).

Speaking at the event, UN International Moon Day Goodwill Ambassador and Convener of Space Futures Forum Dr. Claire A. Nelson, who is also an advocate for space and Lunar Exploration said Ghana needs more support in its space exploration programme.

She is of the view that a deliberate focus on science education through the school system from the primary to the tertiary level would be critical in building the right foundation for sustainable space exploration.

Dr. Nelson promised to reach out to Ghanaians living abroad to come home to support Ghana to pursue its space agenda.

As to why she selected Ghana for her programme, Dr. Nelson said Ghana has a fairly stable economy and society critical for the kind of research and investment they want to do.

“I would like to see destinations in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Mauritius which is an island nation, which also has an emerging Space programme” Said Dr. Claire Nelson.

She explained that with the right facilities in place, young people including young scientists from all over Africa could engage in joint research initiatives.

She is therefore calling on Ghanaian scientists around the world to organize massive support for the country's space project which will come with huge opportunities for the youth.

Dr. Claire Nelson donated a telescope and books to the institute which will be used to train students in space programmes to stimulate the passion of people who love stars and space science.
Receiving the donation, the Manager of Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory, Dr Theophilus Ansah-Narh expressed his appreciation to Dr Claire Nelson for the support.

Dr Theophilus Ansah-Narh said the Institute is committed to its vision to become one of the best space agencies globally.

With its constant research and innovations, he believes Ghana can produce astronauts in the next ten years.

According to him, Ghana’s closeness to the equator enables them to observe both the southern and the Northern hemisphere at the Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Dr Theophilus Ansah-Narh said one of their challenges remains the fact that those they train leave the country for greener pastures since there are no space jobs in Ghana but Dr Claire A. Nelson expressed an optimism working together with Dr. Narh they can change that fact and assure Ghana's place in a space faring human civilization.