A Science student of Adonten Senior High School, in Akyem Kukurantumi of the Eastern Region, Nuamah Graham, placed third at the just ended Global International State Administration Test (Global ISAT) in Canada.
As Ghana’s champion, Master Graham represented the country at the competition keenly contested by other eighty-two countries, where Canada and Chile won gold and silver respectively.
Speaking to the media on his arrival from the competition over the weekend, he expressed joy and gratitude to God, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the organisers and the staff of school for their support. He particularly thanked the President for implementing Free SHS.
Appeal
He, however, called on government to provide a state-of-the-art science laboratories for senior high schools to make them internationally competitive, adding “I could have placed first in the competition, but I lacked the practical aspect of the competition, which denied me of the top position”.
“I dream of becoming a pilot in future. But our system is more focused on the theory than the practicality. It is my prayer that government establishes modern science laboratories for every SHS. We are conversant with the theory more than the practical aspect…And our international competitors know both. So, if I had practiced well, I would have placed first,” he said.
The headmistress of the school, Christiana Obenewaa Tenkorang, said she was surprised when she heard her student had won the national competition, and subsequently placing third at the world stage.
She said this is the first time a private SHS student had the chance to represent Ghana after subsequent editions of the competition, making the country proud in the eyes of the international community.
“This situation translates that if private schools are given the necessary attention by government, education in this country will see more light for the socio-economic development of Ghana,” she added.
She therefore called on government to help the school with some of the Free SHS placements allocation since they have adequate space to accommodate the students with half scholarship.
