President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that he might have pursued a career in engineering if Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education had existed during his early school years.
According to him, the way mathematics was taught at the time discouraged many students and ultimately pushed him toward the arts and humanities.
President Mahama made the remarks during the launch of the National BSTEM Programme for basic schools at Sawla D/A Primary and JHS as part of his “Resetting Ghana” tour of the Savannah Region.
“Maybe if there had been STEM at the time I was in school, I might now be a civil engineer, or I’d be a mechanical engineer or something,” he said.
Reflecting on his childhood education, the President recounted what he described as harsh teaching methods used in mathematics lessons, saying they created fear rather than interest among pupils.
“At that time, we used to do mental exercises. They’d come with a whip — nine times nine, nine times nine, whip! Eighteen times twenty-four, whip! I mean, you just scared the child. How can a child learn mathematics in that kind of atmosphere?” he stated.
He said the experience had a lasting effect on him and partly influenced his decision to move away from science-related subjects.
“But that is how we grew up. And so if I drifted to the arts and humanities, it was only natural because I was traumatised by the way it was taught. Today, our children have a better opportunity,” he added.
As part of his tour of the Savannah Region, President Mahama is also expected to pay courtesy calls on traditional authorities, including the Yagbonwura.
On Saturday, May 23, 2026, he is expected to be joined by ministers responsible for Roads and Highways, Education, and Youth Development and Empowerment, alongside other senior government officials.
The President will also engage residents in an open forum to outline his administration’s achievements, ongoing policy interventions, and respond to concerns from the public.
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