This, according to the Network, was the surest way to transition Ghana into a data driven technologically advance country and harness the benefit of technology to reshape the economy for national development.

A statement signed by Mr. Joshua Opoku Agyenim, President of Ghana STEM Network and issued in Kumasi, said it was important for Ghana to leverage on holistic practical STEM education system to help the country to fully participate in the fourth industrial revolution to determine the future trajectory of the country.

It said several critical challenges that hindered the effective delivery of STEM education had been identified.

Among them are delayed operationalization of policies, which has resulted in the absence of cohesive visionary to approach STEM education.

Again, inadequate infrastructure, limited capacity building of educators, resource constraints, weak assessment and others, are some of the bottlenecks in the development of STEM education system in the country.

Additionally, inadequate Public Private Partnerships in STEM education, fragmented STEM initiatives and partisan influence as well as external dependencies are some of the challenges impeding the development of the system.

The statement called for the development of STEM database and the strengthening of STEM ecosystems, adding that, basic education curriculum must focus on STEM.

A sustainable national STEM education system, investment in infrastructure and the integration of practical learning into curriculum would help enhance STEM education.

The statement stressed the need for Ghana to bridge the current educational and economic divide and lead in STEM innovation for sustainable development.