The Coalition of Organizations in STEM (COS), a newly established alliance of private entities, non-governmental organizations, and dedicated STEM/STEAM advocates, has issued a call to action for the Minister of Education to prioritize collaboration with local stakeholders to revolutionize STEM education in Ghana. In a press release dated March 10, 2025, COS emphasized the need for innovative and inclusive approaches to STEM education to unlock Ghana’s untapped potential and drive national development.

COS acknowledged the government’s efforts to advance STEM education but highlighted the significant opportunities that remain unexplored within the educational system. The coalition stressed that “education devoid of innovation can become a liability rather than an asset to our economy.” COS is fully aligned with the Minister’s vision to ensure that no Ghanaian child, regardless of background, gender, location, or financial means, is left behind in STEM education from primary through tertiary levels.

The coalition expressed concern over the limited engagement with local STEM experts, which has hindered opportunities for innovation, job creation, and the development of a self-sustaining STEM ecosystem. COS believes that 21st-century STEM solutions, crafted by Ghanaians for Ghanaians, must be central to educational reform to foster a sustainable, innovation-driven economy.

COS’s Comprehensive Plan for STEM Transformation

COS has developed a comprehensive plan to address the gaps in STEM education. The coalition’s proposed initiatives aim to transform STEM education delivery from the primary level, creating over 1,000 jobs for Ghanaian youth. These jobs would contribute to a 24-hour economy in STEM design, tool manufacturing, training, mentorship, and other related services. By integrating local expertise and resources, COS envisions an inclusive and effective educational framework that enhances learning outcomes while driving national development.

The coalition urged the Minister of Education to actively engage with COS and other innovative organizations to co-develop and implement tailored STEM initiatives. “Together, we can cultivate a robust STEM ecosystem that empowers the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers, while creating jobs for Ghanaians under your leadership,” the statement read.

About COS Member Organizations:

1. Dext Technology Limited: Producers of the science set, Dext Technologies is a Ghana-based company specialized in innovation in STEM education.
2. GHScientific: GhScientific is a science communication organization working to build capacity in STEM through outreach and public engagement activities.
3. WeGo Innovate: WeGo Innovate Edutech platform collaborates with schools and other academic institutions to transform educational content into fun, interactive platforms and tools that inspire students and educators, regardless of their degree of access to resources.
4. The Exploratory: The three major areas of activity of The Exploratory are facilitator training, exploratory clubs and stem kits.
5. Science Digest Show: Science digest show is a multi-media organization promoting science communication and awareness through engaging media content.
6. Ghana Olympiad Academy: The Ghana Olympiad Academy provides opportunities for students in Ghana to partake in International Olympiad examinations.
7. IoT Network Hub Africa: With the mission of exploring emerging technologies for job creation and prosperity, IoT Network Hub is on the quest to impact 1 billion young Africans through community building, human capital development, research and innovation development.

COS’s Call to Action

COS concluded its statement by urging the government to realign educational training and capacity-building strategies to meet current global trends. “We are counting on your guidance to help realign educational training and capacity strategies to meet current global trends in the interest of our younger generation,” the coalition stated.

By fostering collaboration between the government and local STEM experts, COS aims to unlock Ghana’s untapped potential in STEM education, paving the way for a sustainable, innovation-driven economy. The coalition’s collective expertise and innovative programs position it as a key partner in transforming STEM education in Ghana