Adutwum urges AI investment at KNUST, calls for continuity in STEM reforms
Former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has urged government to sustain Ghana’s STEM expansion agenda and prioritise investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, warning that the country’s competitiveness depends on technology‑driven education.
Speaking at the Faculty of Educational Studies Students’ Association (FESSA) Summit at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Adutwum said Ghana’s “educational reset” must be anchored in innovation. “If the government wants to reset the country as it has indicated, then education must be one of its priorities,” he told participants.
He praised KNUST’s integration of AI into biomedical sciences, arguing that such initiatives could position Ghana among Africa’s most innovative nations. Drawing parallels with Singapore and South Korea, Adutwum said Ghana could achieve similar developmental strides if it makes STEM education “a centerpiece of education transformation.”
During his tenure, government rolled out reforms including the construction of 20 STEM senior high schools, curriculum changes under the Standards‑Based Curriculum, and the introduction of robotics programmes. Data from the Ministry of Education shows more than 1.2 million learners have benefited from STEM interventions, while thousands of teachers have been trained in digital pedagogy. Adutwum insisted these reforms must not be abandoned.
Senior Lecturer Dr Patrick Swanzy of KNUST’s Department of Teacher Education echoed the call, urging government to provide infrastructure for AI integration. “We need AI laboratories to train teachers on digital pedagogy and facilities to train them on the field,” he said, stressing that without trained educators and proper infrastructure, AI integration would remain aspirational.
The summit, themed “The Future‑Ready Educator: AI Integration, Digital Pedagogy, and Educational Excellence”, brought together academics, policymakers and student teachers. Organisers highlighted new programmes such as BS STEM Manufacturing, Robotics, Aerospace and Aviation studies, designed to equip future educators with critical thinking and innovation skills.
FESSA President Prince Adu Amoateng appealed for urgent support, noting that enthusiasm among students is high but resources remain scarce. “The students are enjoying the programme but the tools and the resources that are needed is what we lack,” he said.
Stakeholders at the summit agreed that sustained investment in AI infrastructure, teacher training and STEM education could accelerate Ghana’s transformation and establish the country as a leader in technology‑driven learning across Africa.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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