Mpraeso, Aug. 28, GNA - Mrs Josephine Essilfie, Head of the Science Department of the SDA Training College at Asokore, Koforidua, has attributed the country's high poverty rate, poor sanitation, disease, rapid population growth and poor nutrition to the lack of in-depth science and technology education.

She was addressing the closing ceremony of a five-day Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) Clinic for 90 basic and second-cycle students from the Kwahu West and South districts at Mpraeso on Saturday.

Speaking on the theme: "STME, the engine of growth of the nation", she said science and mathematics were the foundation of technological advancement to turn the country from a consumer to a producer nation of value-added products for domestic consumption and for export.

Mrs Essilfie noted that country's female population had dominated agriculture, food production, processing, marketing and transportation as well as being responsible for about 90 per cent of all household chores making it necessary for them to be introduced to basic science and technology to improve their performance.

Mrs Essilfie called for continuous efforts to increase female enrolment and participation in the STME programme to develop their knowledge in the responsiveness, creativity, observance and discipline. She called for assistance and motivation for science and technology teachers and their introduction to new teaching methods to enhance their performance.

The Kwahu South District Director of Education, Nii Okaija Dinsey noted that through the advancement of science and technology, the world had got rid of diseases like tuberculoses and epilepsy, which could now be dealt with by medical science instead of being associated with superstitious beliefs.

He said science and technology had also improved food production worldwide with the introduction of pesticides, improve seeds and other drought resistant crops, while communication between people in all parts of the world could take place in a matter of seconds with the introduction of the internet and other communication facilities. Certificates and awards were presented to pupils who excelled in their project works.