Squatters take over uncompleted Science Museum
SQUATTERS have taken over the Museum of Science and Technology (MST) project in Accra which was abandoned decades ago.
The project, estimated to cost GH¢52.10 when it was initiated in 1974, now requires thousands of Ghana cedis to complete.
A visit to the project site revealed that squatters had turned the uncompleted building into dwelling places, while hawkers had used some portions as storage places for their goods.
It was also observed that some monuments and artefacts also lay on the bare floor of the abandoned building.
Other portions had also been left to decay, while window glasses had also broken.
Being the brainchild of Alan M. May and Wright, then lecturers at the University of Ghana, Legon, the MST was established in August 1965 to preserve the cultural heritage and the monumental achievements in science and technology of the country.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the project, the Principal Curator of the MST, Mr Agyiri Sackey, attributed the unfinished state of the project to the political turbulence which had rocked the country during the 1970s.
He explained that the purpose for the establishment of the MST was to supplement science education at the basic level, where children would have a hands-on experience of what they had been taught in their classrooms.
He said the museum was also to serve as a platform for stakeholders, researchers, industrialists and the public to share ideas on scientific and industrial applications.
Mr Sackey noted that such a platform was the backbone of China’s development and industrialisation.
Currently, he said, because of the uncompleted state of the museum, the artefacts and monuments were being housed in the old building which was built in 1963.
However, he explained that the old building was relatively small in space and, therefore, a limited number of artefacts were being displayed to the public.
He also bemoaned the fact that the number of visitors to the place was not encouraging.
Mr Sackey said previously schools used to organise field trips to the museum for students to supplement theory with practical work, adding that at that time admission was free.
He said although various governments had expressed their interest in the development of science and technology to drive the nation’s development agenda, they had only paid lip service to that effect.
He said the inability of past governments to invest in science and technology was because its dividend would take a longer time to yield.
He said the difference between the developed countries and developing ones was determined by the level of appreciation and application of science and technology in the daily lives and activities of the people.
He said if the purpose for which the MST was established had been achieved, the country would have registered more progress in its development.
He claimed that the neglect of the museum would result in the loss of the country's identity, adding, "If we do not leave a legacy which will tell our children the stories of today tomorrow, it will be told by others the way they feel is right."
Mr Sackey, therefore, called on the government to give support to institutions whose mandate was to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
The project, estimated to cost GH¢52.10 when it was initiated in 1974, now requires thousands of Ghana cedis to complete.
A visit to the project site revealed that squatters had turned the uncompleted building into dwelling places, while hawkers had used some portions as storage places for their goods.
It was also observed that some monuments and artefacts also lay on the bare floor of the abandoned building.
Other portions had also been left to decay, while window glasses had also broken.
Being the brainchild of Alan M. May and Wright, then lecturers at the University of Ghana, Legon, the MST was established in August 1965 to preserve the cultural heritage and the monumental achievements in science and technology of the country.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the project, the Principal Curator of the MST, Mr Agyiri Sackey, attributed the unfinished state of the project to the political turbulence which had rocked the country during the 1970s.
He explained that the purpose for the establishment of the MST was to supplement science education at the basic level, where children would have a hands-on experience of what they had been taught in their classrooms.
He said the museum was also to serve as a platform for stakeholders, researchers, industrialists and the public to share ideas on scientific and industrial applications.
Mr Sackey noted that such a platform was the backbone of China’s development and industrialisation.
Currently, he said, because of the uncompleted state of the museum, the artefacts and monuments were being housed in the old building which was built in 1963.
However, he explained that the old building was relatively small in space and, therefore, a limited number of artefacts were being displayed to the public.
He also bemoaned the fact that the number of visitors to the place was not encouraging.
Mr Sackey said previously schools used to organise field trips to the museum for students to supplement theory with practical work, adding that at that time admission was free.
He said although various governments had expressed their interest in the development of science and technology to drive the nation’s development agenda, they had only paid lip service to that effect.
He said the inability of past governments to invest in science and technology was because its dividend would take a longer time to yield.
He said the difference between the developed countries and developing ones was determined by the level of appreciation and application of science and technology in the daily lives and activities of the people.
He said if the purpose for which the MST was established had been achieved, the country would have registered more progress in its development.
He claimed that the neglect of the museum would result in the loss of the country's identity, adding, "If we do not leave a legacy which will tell our children the stories of today tomorrow, it will be told by others the way they feel is right."
Mr Sackey, therefore, called on the government to give support to institutions whose mandate was to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
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