Astronomical Society of Ghana launched in Accra
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Akwasi Opong-Fosu, has urged Ghanaians to take keen interest in science-related activities.
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He indicated that that was necessary because the development of the nation depended on how its citizens would harness the opportunities offered by science and technology.
“Ghana has attained the status of a lower middle-income economy. The pace at which the country will graduate to an upper middle-income economy and beyond depends essentially on science, technology and innovation. Science is the foundation for the economy that we aspire to build”, he stressed.
Mr Opong-Fosu made the call at the launch of the Astronomical Society of Ghana (ASG) in Accra yesterday.
Science as catalyst
He said the establishment of ASG would, therefore, create a platform to mobilise scientific ideas; not only for the benefit of the scientific community, but also for society at large.
“In the midst of climatic challenges such as droughts and floods, the role of astronomy in addressing these challenges cannot be overemphasised,” he said.
Mr Oppong-Fosu disclosed that as part of efforts to promote science, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), in collaboration with the South African Government had turned an abandoned Vodafone Earth Satellite Station at Kuntunse into a radio astronomy telescope.
The project, he said, would help advance the research of astronomy in the country.
The President of ASP, Major John Kwabena Tandoh (Retd), promised that the society would partner with MESTI to promote science-related activities in the country.