Accra, Aug. 6, GNA - The World Bank would provide a total of 17 million Ghana cedis for the development of the Sciences in Ghana, Vice President John Dramani Mahama has said.

He said Government had also approved two million Ghana cedis to suppor= t 2000 students in the Senior High schools to develop their skills in the study of the Sciences.

Vice President Mahama announced this when he addressed the maiden Ghan= a Science Congress Awards organised by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST). The Congress, under the theme: 93Water, Sanitation and Environment, Securing our Future through Science," awarded personalities and corporate organisations for their immense contribution towards the development of Science in Ghana.

Vice President Mahama said the decision by Government to devote one percent of Gross Domestic Product under the New Partnership for African Development, was geared towards improving water facilities and educate people against some of the attitudes that had retarded the country's progress in water, sanitation and the environment. He said Government had also secured 3000 laptop computers to be distributed to schools and some individual students engaged in the development of science and technology throughout the country, while 30 students would also benefit from a scholarship facility to study Science outside the country.

The Vice President urged Science and Mathematics teachers to make the subjects attractive to students by revising their methods of teaching. Madam Sherry Ayitey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, said the award was aimed at developing the Sciences from the basic to tertiary levels and to move away from the perennial over concentration on only the Arts and Humanities.

She said the Ministry would set up a Science Project Office to facilitate the selection of some of the science programmes into commercial entities.

Professor Hans Adu Dapaah, a Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, who was adjudged the Best in the Sciences, took home a Toyota Saloon car, laptop and GH¢ 20,000.00, while Professor Samue= l Yeboah Mensah, also a Lecturer, who was the runner-up in that category, too= k home GH¢10,000.00, a laptop and a certificate. Professor Samuel Nii Odai and Professor Esi Awuah won gold and silver respectively in the best Scientists award category. In the Young Scientist award category, Harrison Jerry Joe Ekow Kingsley, who won the gold, took home GH¢10,000.00, a laptop and a certificate.

Dr Stephen Amoah and Michael Kwabena Osei, who placed first and second runners-up, took home a laptop each and GH¢7,500.00 and GH¢5,000.00 respectively. Professor Francis Nkrumah, Professor Mariam Ewurama Addy, Professor Francis K.A Allotey, Dr Leticia Obeng and Colonel Kofi Abaka Jackson Rtd, received honorary awards. The Daily Democrat, Public Agenda, Miss Odelia Ofori of TV3, Zoil Ghan= a Limited, Airtel Ghana, Anglogold Ashanti, Ploytank Ghana Limited and Standard Chartered Bank also received special awards for reportage and contribution towards the building of the Sciences.