Chancellor of the All Nations
University has called for a new policy focus to harness the potential of
Ghana’s new global brand in space engineering for economic development in the areas
of security, education and capacity building.
Daasebre Prof. (Emeritus) Oti
Boateng, who is also the Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, says Ghana
has now joined the elite group of nations with space science programmes, following
a global historic milestone in launching its first satellite into space.
The country will participate
fully in next year's meeting marking the 50th Anniversary of the
first UN Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
Daasebre Oti Boateng says whilst
the successful deployment of Ghana's first satellite into space from the
International Space Station has placed Ghana on the global pedestal, the
remarkable feat must be the starting point for a new national policy regime to
develop and fully utilize the benefits of space science for national
development as a new global player.
“GhanaSat1 will beef up and
strengthen our national security by taking pictures with on-board cameras to
monitor Ghana’s coastal regions. It will also stimulate and promote science,
technology; engineering and mathematics (STEM) related skills by demonstrating
the unique power of broadcasting songs from outer space to invigorate the
learning process,” he said in a statement.
He is confident this will
particularly encourage girls to be more interested in and responsive to STEM
related disciplines which will continue to be in high demand and a major
pathway to bridging the gender gap in the development process.
The successful deployment of
Ghana's first satellite, GhanaSat1, into space followed a three-phase process
with the initial major milestone accomplished on 3rd June when
GhanaSat1 was successfully launched aboard SpaceX-Falcon 9 CRS11 spacecraft
from the Kennedy Space Center making a steady progress on its trajectory
towards the International Space Station (ISS).
The second milestone was
achieved with the successful rendezvous of the spacecraft with the ISS on 5th
June while the final phase was achieved with the successful deployment of
GhanaSat1 from ISS into orbit at an estimated altitude of 400km above the earth
atmosphere via the Japan/Kibo Deployment System.
The scientific data and
earth observation images taken by GhanaSat1 will be shared with both government
and non-governmental institutions to promote capability building and the
utilization of satellite-based information to solve relevant and pertinent
problems in the country.
Daasebre noted “this
emerging global brand pioneered by the young scientists from the All Nations
University, Koforidua in the Eastern Region, remains a source of pride for all Ghanaians
and a remarkable inspiration for the youth to adopt and embrace a globally
competitive spirit to make a difference in this era of globalization”.
He commended the young scientists and applauded the cooperation of all
stakeholders, particularly authorities at the All Nations University, for
providing the requisite investment and extensive collaboration with leading
universities and institutions worldwide to make this achievement possible.
By Kofi Adu Domfeh
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