Kumasi, Aug. 30, GNA - Paapa Owusu-Ankomah, Minister of Education, Science and Sports, has stressed the need to re-invigorate the teaching of science in the nation's educational system to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said even though Ghana had made significant strides in science education, much remained to be done to tip the balance in favour of national development goals.

Paapa Owusu-Ankomah made the call in an address read on his behalf at the 48th Annual Conference and Workshop of the Ghana Association of Science Teachers (GAST) in Kumasi on Tuesday. More than 300 science teachers from the basic and second-cycle institutions throughout the country attended the conference, under the theme, "Science and Technology Education - A Panacea for National Development".

Issues to be discussed included problems facing science education and come out with suggestions that would help improve the teaching and learning of science and technology in schools. Paapa Owusu-Ankomah said inadequate facilities for teaching and hands-on learning had been a major constraint in the training process of science education.

This, he said had made the country unable to churn out the requisite science and technology capacity and manpower for sustainable socio-economic, cultural and environmental development. Paapa Owusu-Ankomah pledged Government's commitment to revamp and push forward science and technology programmes to lift Ghana to the long sought middle-income status by 2015.

He said GAST was an indispensable partner in the efforts to evolve new approaches to promote science culture in the country and called on members of the association to introduce innovation and creativity in science education to engender students interest.

Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, appealed to science teachers to simplify the teaching and learning of science to the barest understanding of students to sustain their interest and confidence in the subject.

He appealed to GAST to take the initiative in developing a very socially relevant science curriculum for schools in the country. Mr Owusu-Ansah commended GAST for its efforts at shaping public perception on science education in the country.

Professor Stella Yemisi Erinosho of the Department of Science Education at the University of Education Winneba, said a critical mass of the citizenry, especially the youth must be taught science knowledge, its application and the connection of science and technology with society to broaden the general scientific knowledge of students. Mr Christian Anthony-Krueger, National President of GAST, stressed the need for effective application of science and technology for development.

He said currently there were a deficit of 1,000 science teachers in Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) and was increasing due to the unattractive service conditions and study leave problems faced by many science teachers who wanted to pursue further education. Mr Anthony-Krueger called for adequate resources for schools and universities that trained science teachers in the country.

Professor Agyewodin Adu-Gyamfi, Paramount Chief of Acherensua Traditional Area, called on Ghanaians to develop passion for science to advance in science and technology.