The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has emphasized the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in creating and sustaining job opportunities in Ghana.
Speaking at the 33rd Congregation of the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) in Accra, Dr Adutwum highlighted the need for educational institutions to focus on providing modern facilities and resources to enhance the education of citizens.
With the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution, Dr Adutwum stressed the significance of embracing STEM education to ensure that students are equipped to develop the technology that will drive job creation in the future. He pointed out that while 85 million jobs may be lost in this revolution, another 97 million jobs are projected to be created, underscoring the importance of preparing the workforce for the changing job landscape.
The Minister commended the Government’s efforts in promoting STEM education at both the Junior and Senior High levels, emphasizing the need for critical thinking skills among students to solve societal problems. He also highlighted the Government’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure, stating that new junior high schools have been constructed to provide a conducive learning environment for students.
Furthermore, Dr Adutwum encouraged educational institutions to move away from exam-based learning towards fostering critical thinking abilities among students. He emphasized the Government’s vision of producing highly competent and innovative human resources to drive national development.
In his address, Professor Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, Vice Chancellor of GCTU, lauded the institution’s progress in becoming a hub for technological and engineering education in Ghana. He highlighted the approval of new postgraduate programs by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to meet the growing demand for ICT and management expertise in Ghana and West Africa.
The Minister and Vice-Chancellor emphasized the importance of STEM education in preparing students for the future job market and reiterated their commitment to providing quality education and infrastructure to support this goal.
