The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central in the Central Region, Mr Kennedy Agyapong, has called on Ghanaians to embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the country as it is key to transforming the country's economy.
According to him, there is the need to fully convert Ghana's education system from its theoretical mode to a more practical one in order to address the current economic challenges faced by the country.
Mr Agyapong made the call in Accra yesterday. as the special guest speaker at the maiden edition of the International Day of Education organised by the International Association of World Peace Advocates on the theme "Redefining Education to accelerate Africa's growth".
"Reciting the entire contents of a textbook does not make you brainy but being able to understand, practise what you've read and add value to yourself is what makes you brainy," he explained.
He noted that the conversion of technical schools into universities was a step in the wrong direction as far as the country's development was concerned.
"We need conceptual thinkers that can think and create to move this country forward but if we allow 80 per cent of the senior high school graduates to study theory courses, we would not be able to tap into the full potential of the graduates. We need to invest in technology," the MP said.
He urged all students to pursue practical courses such as engineering for their tertiary education in order to contribute to the country's development.
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The World Peace president, Ambassador Per Stafsen, in a speech read on his behalf by the United Nations Eminent Peace Ambassador, Apostle Emmanuel Achim Gyimah, said education was critical towards the development of a nation, hence the need to celebrate this day.
He noted that all civil societies and non-governmental organisations must rally behind the development of education and polishing of skills in the country as that would shore up human development and economic development.
"We cannot work together to achieve sustainable peace without proper understanding of our socio-cultural and economic differences," Stafsen said.
He urged all Ghanaians to be proactive and interrogate the quality of education in the country to ensure its quality was consistent with the patterns of growth that could be traced to recognisable development in Africa's society.
The International day of Education is celebrated every January 24 to highlight the role of education in fostering peace and development. to stand next has from on of the document long-Billy ex-related been being crimes Advocate
