The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Abdallah Abubakari has commended the Ghana Association of Science Teachers (GAST), for focusing this year’s annual general meeting and conference on climate change and food security.
Mr Abubakari noted that climate change is leading to increase in high temperatures resulting in the destruction of wild life, and the reduction of rainfall pattern which is affecting water levels of dams.
The minister in a speech read on his behalf by the DCE for Sagnarigu, Mr Alhassan Mohammed Sorigadoo, commended GAST in Tamale at the opening of the association’s 58th AGM and conference on the theme; Science and Technology Education: A solution to Climate Change and Food Security.
To illustrate his point, the minister said the country’s only hydro dam, experienced low water levels in 2005 and 2006 which greatly affected power generation. And in 2012 to 2016, there was too much rainfall and accompanying floods which ended up affecting the livelihoods of many people.
He therefore charged science teachers and the scientific community in the country to come out with strategies that will create climate resilience, an agriculture production system, and minimize greenhouse gas emission to ensure sustainability. Government, he assured. will continue to provide an enabling environment to provide the necessary support to scientists in Ghana improve the lives of the people.
The immediate past head master of Tamale Senior High School, Tamale Senior High a School (TAMASCO) who is a biologist, Sheshigu Bontig Naa, Alhaji T.A Mahama, entreated science teachers to review the methodology used in the teaching of science so that it will attract more students to have an interest in the subject.
Alhaji T.A Mahama who is an old GAST member appealed to government and NGOs to support science teachers and attend international conference to provide new ideas in the fields of science.
Alhaji Mahama assured GAST that the retired members though retired from service, they are available to assist the association to improve upon the teaching of science in the country.
A lecturer at the University for Development Studies Department of Climate Change and Food Security, Dr Joseph Amikuzuno observed that, even though climate change is been taught in schools, it is not communicated well.
According to him, virtually everything now has been attributed to climate change and many people are misusing it because they don’t understand the concept.
He hinted that scientists projections in the coming years are that, Ghana’s capital, Accra may not be there if care is not taken.
Scientists can’t be blamed for Ghana problems
Speaking to Zaa News on the sidelines of GAST, the outgoing president of GAST, Mr Simon Aklomasa Addae-Conutsey urged academia and the citizens to stop blaming scientists for Ghana’s problem.
Mr Aklomasa explained that everyone in the country is responsible for Ghana’s woes and until people, especially the educated ones change their negative attitude and behaviors towards the environment, the country will continue to face challenges.
“In developed countries, waste disposal is done meticulously; children don’t just away throw empty cans and sachets, they dispose them properly, in a waste bin. But what do you see in Ghana?” he asked. “Even people with tertiary education throw things anyhow and chock gutters in the process,” Mr Aklomasa noted.