Deputy Director of the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Dr. Peter Quarshie, has urged government to prioritise significant investment in science and technology education to ensure holistic training across all levels of the country’s educational system.
His call came during WACCBIP’s Open Science Day (Sept 18–19, 2025), which introduced selected secondary school students to the Centre’s operations and highlighted the role of science and technology in sustainable development.
In an interview with Univers News, Dr. Quarshie stressed that building world-class science and technology facilities was critical to shifting education from being overly theory-based to more practical and job-oriented. “The state must be deliberate and strategic in equipping schools with the requisite facilities and training, so science and technology can be appreciated through real-world applications,” he said.
He noted that WACCBIP’s outreach to senior high schools has already yielded progress, with some gaps in science training being gradually addressed. According to him, mainstreaming STEM subjects into the curriculum is “a step in the right direction,” and the Centre is ready to partner government to train educators for greater impact.
This year’s Open Day brought together students and teachers from institutions including Accra Academy, Ghana International School, St. Mary’s Girls, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Achimota School. Participants toured WACCBIP laboratories and engaged in mentorship sessions with Senior Fellows, who offered guidance and career counselling.
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Story by Sika Togoh | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah