Editorial
Promote National Science & Math Quiz to support STEM education
Since its introduction in 1993 by Primetime Limited, an education-interest advertising and public relations agency, the National Science & Math Quiz (NSMQ) has grown to be a much-anticipated and captivating yearly event that sparks students’ interest in science and mathematics.
The NMSQ aims to encourage students to study the sciences and mathematics, to think critically and with a scientific mindset about the world they live in, and to build a positive sense of healthy competition among senior high schools.
Due to the increased interest in the NSMQ from a variety of sources, including parents, tutors, current students, and alumni, the event is growing more competitive and fascinating.
Alumni are now providing their alma mater with enormous assistance in order to guarantee that participating students hone their problem-solving abilities to foster academic achievement and healthy competition.
Students are studying harder, learning effective communication skills, and working together as a team to strive for excellence and make their schools proud because of the competitive aspect of the quiz.
Their confidence and self-worth are also increasing as a result of the quiz, and this will undoubtedly have a good effect on both their general academic achievement and future employment in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
The objective of the NSMQ is similar to that of STEM curriculum, which was developed to prepare students in primary and secondary schools for careers in STEM fields as well as tertiary education and college.
In addition to imparting knowledge related to the subject, STEM aims to foster critical thinking, reasoning, and collaborative skills.
Without a question, STEM fields are at the centre of technological innovation. Since these fields are crucial for social, economic, and other forms of development, young people should be inspired to pursue courses in these fields and given the tools they need to become self-sufficient.
The NSMQ competition has now motivated the youth to seek careers in STEM, which will eventually benefit the country’s growth.
The Spectator applauds Primetime Limited for this wonderful effort to support students in discovering their aptitude in science and mathematics.
In our opinion, in addition to the Ghana Education Service’s (GES’) involvement, further efforts should be made to advance the NSMQ and use it as a vital platform for fostering a promising future in STEM education.
To create a strong STEM education in Ghana and beyond, the government, academic institutions, corporate organisations and other stakeholders should consistently promote and invest in the NSMQ.
With the rapid advancement of technology, STEM knowledge is becoming increasingly important for development, and NSMQ needs to be promoted in order to support STEM education.
We would like to congratulate the Presbyterian Boys Senior High School (PRESEC), Legon, Achimota School, Opoku Ware Senior High School (SHS), and all other participating schools in this year’s quiz.
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
Dear Editor,
I wish to express concern over the allegations that some officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) demanded money from players before they are selected for national teams.
If these allegations are true, then, they threaten fairness and integrity in Ghana football.
Just as is done in other countries, selection into any national team should be based solely on merit -talent, discipline, hard work and performance, not on a player’s ability to pay money.
Such practices, if allowed to continue, will discourage many talented but less privileged players from pursuing their dreams. It will also damage the reputation of the GFA and reduce public confidence in the country’s football administration.
Those reports are quite unfortunate but some of us want to believe in the response issued by the FA but would also advise the GFA to conduct some investigation, because like it is often said, there is no smoke without fire.
If it means an individual is going about making such demands on the blind side of the FA, such an investigation can expose the person.
I therefore urge the GFA to investigate these allegations thoroughly and transparently. Any official found guilty should face the appropriate sanctions. At the same time, individuals making the allegations should provide credible evidence so the truth can be established.
Ghanaian football belongs to all of us, and we must protect its integrity by ensuring that merit, transparency and accountability guide player selection.
From John Boateng,
Mamprobi
