Global Astronomy Survey : Ghana

First Submission: Jacob and Jane Ashong (SpoCs) [see human resources section] 3 June 2009

SpoC Approved: Yes

1. Professional (Research) Astronomy:

i.    Number of universities offering Astronomy (and their names)

None

ii.   Number of universities offering Physics (and their names)

 (a) Public Universities (5) These do have Physics departments:

•           University of Ghana, Legon;

•           Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST);

•           Cape Coast University;

•           Winneba University;

•           University for Development Studies

 (b) Private Universities (4) These do not have Physics Departments:

•           Asheshi

•           Central

•           Methodist

•           Wisconsin

iii.  Number of academics who have been trained in Astronomy (ideally with their names and levels of qualification)

No Academic trained in Astronomy. (However some academics trained in Physics or Maths are interested in amateur astronomy: e.g. Professor Francis Allotey, Nuclear Physicist, consultant to NASA; Professor Borte-Doku, Maths Educationalist; and Professor Amamoo-Otchere, Centre for Remote Sensing.

iv. Number of astronomical facilities (observatories, telescopes, etc) and as much detail about each as possible (websites/contact details)         

No general Astronomical Facilities, but there is a Regional Maritime Academy for teaching Navigation to Seamen with a small private planetarium, 6ft-9ft diameter?

Ghana Science Project opened a privately-built public planetarium January 2009, and has a Celestron CPC series Telescope.

v.         Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Professional Astronomy? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

We have met a number of individuals who are very interested because of their own science background (about 10).

Phase 3 *Strong potential*

2. Public Understanding of Astronomy:

i.          What governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)   

None

ii.          What non-governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in)          

None

iii.         Comment on the presence of astronomy in the media (TV, radio, newspapers). Is it very prominent? Are there specific programmes on astronomy? Is the media generally willing to publish news on astronomy?          

Very little – We plan to reach the media with daily news on sightings of planets and observable stars

iv.         Comment on the presence of astronomy/science in the general culture of the people. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Is astronomy a welcome subject of conversation?

 Astronomy is a very welcome conversational topic but poorly understood.

v.   Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Public Understanding of Astronomy? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

 Phase 3 *Strong potential*

3. Astronomy in Schools:

i. What governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for schools take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)

None

ii. What non-governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for schools take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in)          

None

iii. Comment on the presence of astronomy in the school curriculum. Is it part of the school curriculum? Is it very prominent? What age groups?

Very little prominence – only in science/geography classes and it is up to the individual teacher.

iv.Comment on the status of astronomy/science in schools. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Sufficient number of students studying maths and science? General interest in maths/science/astronomy in schools?

Teachers are generally poorly trained and poorly paid, but there is general interest in maths/science/astronomy.

v. Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Astronomy in Schools? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

Phase 3 *Strong potential*