Ghana’s Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for a decisive shift in global education priorities, urging nations to strengthen science literacy — particularly in quantum science — to prevent deepening inequalities between technologically advanced countries and the rest of the world.
Addressing participants at the closing ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025) in Accra, the minister warned that access to advanced scientific knowledge is increasingly shaping global power and prosperity. He argued that while literacy and numeracy remain important, the emerging global divide in quantum capabilities poses a more urgent challenge.
Quantum science, which explores how matter and energy behave at subatomic levels, underpins many modern technologies, including medical imaging systems, secure communications networks, satellite navigation tools, climate forecasting models and the development of advanced materials.
According to Mr Iddrisu, the lack of national quantum strategies in approximately 145 countries highlights the scale of the disparity. He described the situation as a serious risk to inclusive growth, stressing that nations without access to frontier scientific knowledge could fall further behind in innovation and economic competitiveness.
The ceremony, organised under the auspices of UNESCO, marked 100 years of quantum science discovery and was held under the theme: “Century of Quantum Science: Celebrating 100 Years of Discovery, Impact and the Next Frontier for Humanity.” It brought together policymakers, scientists, curriculum experts and development partners from various parts of the world to assess progress and discuss the future of quantum education.
The minister noted that global interest in quantum science is rising, yet investment in science education and engineering is declining in many regions. He urged governments to reverse this trend by committing more resources to training teachers, supporting researchers and inspiring young learners.
He also pointed to the practical benefits of quantum technologies for countries such as Ghana, particularly in agriculture and climate resilience. Advanced sensing systems, he said, can improve soil analysis, water management and environmental monitoring — areas vital to livelihoods and food security.
Hosting the global closing event in Accra, Mr Iddrisu added, signalled recognition of Ghana’s expanding role in international scientific engagement and Africa’s growing presence in frontier research.
Also speaking at the event, Michele Dougherty, President of the Institute of Physics in the United Kingdom, emphasised that quantum technologies are already transforming sectors such as healthcare, energy, materials science and environmental monitoring. She noted that innovations driven by quantum research are reshaping medical diagnostics, accelerating drug discovery and enabling more precise climate observation.
The Chief Director at Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Suweibatu Adam, highlighted science and technology as critical tools for strengthening global cooperation and sustainable development. She said the International Year had reinforced the value of scientific knowledge in addressing shared global challenges.
Mrs Adam further observed that the UNESCO-led initiative had successfully elevated quantum science on the international development agenda, describing it as one of the most dynamic and transformative fields shaping the future of education, industry and environmental sustainability.
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