Ejura (Ash), Sept. 15, GNA - Madam Elizabeth Owusu, Ejura-Sekyedumase District Chief Executive, has called for a special science fund that would cater for science-related activities such as research, science clinics and in-service training for science and mathematics teachers.

She noted that the prosperity of any nation depended on science and technology and said any nation, which overlooked this reality could not advance.

Madam Owusu was speaking at the closing ceremony of a weeklong Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) Clinic at Ejura on Saturday.

Forty-seven boys and three boys from junior and senior secondary schools in the District attended the clinic, the first to be held there. The District Assembly, Ghana Education Service (GES) and World Vision, Ghana, sponsored it.

She asked science and mathematics teachers to break the myth surrounding the study of these subjects by adopting very simple and pragmatic methods of teaching. Madam Owusu appealed to the media to highlight on science issues, "instead of devoting precious airtime on witchcraft, which is a complete draw back to the advancement of the country". Miss Grace Addo, District Coordinator for the STME Programme, appealed to parents to show interest in their children's performance in school.

Mr Adjei Mensah, Deputy District Director of Education, implored teachers to inculcate in their students the importance of research, which could give them an insight into many things so as to move the country forward.

Master Eric Mensah, a 14-year-old first year student of the Ejura Catholic JSS, received an award for constructing a dry cell battery operated cassava grating machine and a refrigerator. Five other students, who distinguished themselves in a science and mathematics quiz organised during the clinic also received awards.