Winneba, (C/R) Aug. 19, GNA - The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has endorsed the formation of science and technology education committees in all the 110 districts in the country to ensure community participation and partnership to promote the subjects at the basic level.

To ensure successful participation of these committees, the ministry has directed regional and district education offices to offer appropriate support and guidelines as well as mobilise resources to raise the two subjects.

This were contained in speech read on behalf of the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu at the opening of a week-long science, technology and Mathematics education clinic at Winneba on Monday.

More than 100 female students selected from 12 junior and senior secondary schools in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District are taking part.

Mr. Gui Siilo, District Coordinating Director for the area delivered the speech in which the sector minister reiterated government's continued support and encouragement for the organisation of annual science, technology and mathematics clinics to stimulate the interest of female students in the study of the subject.

Mr Baah Wiredu said the establishment of science resource centres throughout the 110 districts was to enhance the teaching and learning of the three core subjects at the pre-tertiary level.

He said these and all other related science and technology programmes initiated by the ministry were designed to form science education units within the Ghana Education Service to focus on the relevance of science and technology education development.

Mr Baah Wiredu expressed appreciation and congratulation to all who have been nominated to serve on the various science and technology education committees, and hoped that they would bring their rich experiences to impact on science and technology education at the basic level.

He said records have it that as much as 80 percent of scientific research is concentrated in just a few industrialised countries, adding that Africa as whole accounts for only 20,000 scientists which constitutes just 0.36 percent of the whole total number of scientists.

He said to make it worst there have been a study decline in research and development in Africa from the already low level, while the brain drain of Africa's best and brightest to the industrialised world continue to increase.

He said for Africa to redress its shortfall in human resources and scientific progress, it must begin by ensuring that the education of the youth is complete and qualitatively comprehensive.

Mr Baah Wiredu mentioned enormous benefits Africa stands to gain from solar generated power, if the youth on the continent are effectively trained to acquire adequate scientific and technological knowledge to make ample use of the solar energy.

Mr Frank Swanzy Essien, Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Director of education expressed his appreciation to the district assembly for the support and encouragement it has been giving to the Directorate over the years towards the organisation of such clinics and advised the participants to take the course seriously.

Mr Geofrey Aduam Yarney, Headmaster of Winneba Secondary School, who is hosting the clinic advised the participants to discard the notion that science, technology and mathematics are the most difficult subjects to deal with.

He said with active involvement and interest of female students in the study of the subjects in recent years, there is every indication that such fear would be a thing of the past in the 21st century.

Nana Agyeefi Ackon, a Divisional Chief of Effutu Traditional Area, who stood in for the Omanhene Nana Ghartey V11, on behalf of the traditional council expressed his appreciation and full support for the promotion of science education among girls in the area.

The occasion was attended by a number of distinguished women, including Mrs Sophia Adjetey, a Principal Nursing Officer of the Winneba Government Hospital.