Ekumfi Essarkyir (C/R), Dec 22, GNA - An eminent Ghanaian Scientist has noted that a nation's possession of natural resources does not necessarily provide sufficient basis for economic growth.

Professor Francis K.A. Allotey, who made the point, said "significant economic development is unlikely to occur unless the exploitation of natural resources is linked to scientific and technological development." Prof Allotey who is Director of the National Centre for Mathematical Sciences, was speaking at the 37th Speech and Prize-giving Day of the Ekumfi T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School at Ekumfi Essarkyir in the Central Region. The theme for the event was "Achieving Quality Education in a less Endowed Senior High School - A Worthwhile Investment.

He said the world today is a knowledge-based society where virtually every issue was directly linked to science and technology. Professor Allotey said for the nation to fully participate in the contemporary world it was crucial that science, technology and innovation be fully integrated into its educational programmes, and also improtant for government to invest more in science than it was doing currently. He pointed out that the Presidential Initiative on Cassava during the previous government, and attempts to establish electronic industries and vehicle assembly plants by the past governments failed because of poor knowledge in science and technology.

Prof Allotey told the students that the best investment their parents and guardians could make for them was education, and urged them to desist from examination malpractices and other crimes and concentrate on their studies.

Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo, Minister of Education, said the Ministry was to revamp science resources centres established during the former National Democratic Congress administration to make them accessible to the less endowed schools.

He gave the assurance that the Ministry would do all that it takes to upgrade the facilities in the school to enable it to increase student intake and improve its quality of education. Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Central Regional Minister, whose speech was delivered on her behalf, said government was doing everything to make education a development tool, adding that its emphasis on the study of science attested to its commitment.

Mrs Benyiwa-Doe urged students to reciprocate government's good gesture by studying hard and eschewing acts that promote indiscipline. Mr Issah Mumuni Dimbie, Headmaster of the school, enumerated challenges facing the institution which included residential and classroom accommodation, and well resourced computer and science laboratories. He debunked the misconception that the school would convert all students who came there into Islam and said there was absolute freedom of worship in the school as students of all faiths freely practiced their religion there. Prizes were presented to deserving students, tutors and non-teaching staff.