Mahama pledges to expand STEM education, complete stalled UTAS laboratory

President John Dramani Mahama emphasized his administration's dedication to bolstering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education while addressing the stalled infrastructure projects crucial for teaching and research. During his #ResettingGhana Tour of the Upper East Region on August 13, 2026, Mahama inspected the four-story central laboratory complex at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Navrongo.

This laboratory project, which commenced in 2016, had stalled but is set to be completed and inaugurated in 2027, paving the way for enhanced teaching, scientific research, innovation, and practical training opportunities for students.

Mahama affirmed that the government would not permit funds allocated for public projects to remain dormant, highlighting the significance of finishing abandoned initiatives and utilizing them for beneficial purposes. Additionally, he instructed the Ministry of Roads and Highways to incorporate the university's demand for approximately five kilometres of internal roads into its project plans, deeming the request feasible.

Furthermore, Mahama voiced his backing for UTAS's plan to launch a medical school, asserting that such an endeavor would bolster Ghana's capacity to train a larger pool of medical professionals.

Strengthening STEM education remained a priority for Mahama, as he recognized its pivotal role in equipping Ghana's youth with the requisite knowledge and skills to foster innovation and contribute to national development.