Delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Public Lecture Series at the University of Education, Winneba, on Friday, April 10, Dr Ibn Chambas highlighted the growing importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as a driver of national progress in an increasingly digital world.

Dr Ibn Chambas described STEM as essential to powering Ghana’s future, noting that the government has already taken significant steps to strengthen the sector.

“A foundational learning builds the roots. STEM builds the wings,” he stated, underscoring the complementary role of early education and advanced technical skills.

He pointed to key policy interventions, including the establishment of STEM-focused senior high schools, the integration of STEM at the basic education level, and the introduction of tuition-free STEM programmes in public tertiary institutions.

According to him, these initiatives—backed by an estimated annual investment of 1.2 billion cedis from 2025/2026—are already “shifting enrolment patterns and strengthening innovation ecosystems” across the country.

Despite the emphasis on STEM, Dr Ibn Chambas cautioned against an overly technical approach to education, stressing the need to incorporate the humanities into scientific learning.

“Yet, we must remember, a robot can calculate, but it cannot dream. An algorithm can predict, but it cannot judge,” he remarked.

He argued that Ghana must move towards a more holistic model—often referred to as STEAM—which integrates the arts and humanities with science and technology to ensure innovation is guided by ethics, creativity, and cultural awareness.

“This is why Ghana must embrace STEM, integrating the hearts and humanities to ensure that innovation is guided by ethics, creativity, and cultural awareness,” he added.

Dr Ibn Chambas also emphasised that meaningful education reform cannot be achieved in isolation, calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders.

“No education system transforms in isolation,” he said, highlighting the role of partnerships in driving progress within Ghana’s education sector.

He credited Ghana’s gains to sustained collaboration between government, educators, parents, civil society organisations, and development partners.

These partnerships, he noted, include support from institutions such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and various United Nations agencies, alongside bilateral partners and international non-governmental organisations.

He further stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in supporting infrastructure development and digital innovation, describing them as critical to preparing students for the demands of a modern economy.

Dr Ibn Chambas noted that while investments in STEM are necessary, the future of Ghana depends on an education system that produces not only technically skilled graduates but also thoughtful, ethical, and innovative citizens.

Speaking in an interview with Joy News, he underscored that the military’s involvement should be limited to supporting roles and not directly interfere in the electoral process.

“The military should deploy in a manner that is not intrusive in the electoral process itself,” Dr Chambas stated, stating that such restraint is critical to maintaining voter confidence and ensuring peaceful elections.

He commended the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces for understanding this delicate balance.

“The hierarchy of the Ghana Armed Forces, in statement after statement, has assured that the military will have no role in the actual securitisation of electoral personnel, materials, or polling stations,” Dr Chambas said.

Instead, he advocated for the military to act as a backup force, intervening only under extreme circumstances and at the request of the police.

“The police should lead, and the military should only be called in if a situation overwhelms the police. Even then, their intervention must be very measured,” he noted.

Dr Chambas warned that intrusive military actions could jeopardise the transparency and fairness of the elections.

“We don’t want to see a repeat of 2020, where military presence in some areas led to tragic outcomes. Any behaviour contrary to the orders given by the military hierarchy will be held accountable,” he stated.

The diplomat highlighted the critical role of openness and transparency in the electoral process.

“The evidence, not just in Ghana but globally, is that when election processes are open and transparent, the acceptance of results is very high,” he observed.

Dr Chambas expressed hope that all security personnel involved would adhere to their training and contribute to a peaceful electoral process.

“This time, I think everyone is determined not to repeat the bad experiences of the past,” he concluded.

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Speaking to Joy News, the seasoned diplomat and peacebuilding expert stressed the importance of striking a balance between ensuring security and avoiding intimidation of voters.

“It’s a fine balance that has to be maintained,” Chambas stated.

“The military has a role in developing national security on the whole, but election security organically falls within the mandate of the police and other law enforcement agencies.”

Dr. Chambas warned that the visible presence of heavily armed military personnel in electoral contexts could create unnecessary tension.

“We have a culture where military presence can intimidate and provoke unnecessary tension,” he explained, adding that such situations could undermine public confidence in the democratic process.

While acknowledging the military’s potential role in extreme situations, Chambas insisted their deployment should be limited and only activated upon request from the police.

“Obviously, they will deploy in the background because there are situations that may overwhelm police deployment. But if it gets to that point, they must come in a very measured way,” he noted.

Reflecting on Ghana’s electoral history, Chambas pointed out the tragic loss of lives in the 2020 elections as a stark reminder of the consequences of excessive force.

“Lives were lost in 2020. As Ghanaians, we all feel almost guilty that this happened, because the life of any Ghanaian matters,” he said.

Chambas expressed optimism in the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces, noting their assurances of non-intrusion into the electoral process.

“From statements issued by the Ghana Armed Forces, it’s clear they do not intend to play any role in the actual securitization of the electoral process,” he said.

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He made the call at a national stakeholders’ dialogue in Kumasi, organised by the National Peace Council, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations (UN) Office for West Africa and the Sahel to promote peaceful elections. Dr Chambas also urged Ghanaians to guard against hate speech, which can inspire violence.

“Election is about competition of ideas and not hate speech. So, we must ensure the youth continue to positively contribute to peace, to let Ghana emerge once again as the beacon of hope in West Africa,” he advised.

Ambassador Baba Gana Wakil, the Resident Representative of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) in Ghana, added that it is important “to get the youth to moderate their behavior on election day to ensure that Ghana becomes the winner of the elections.”

The Resident Coordinator of the UN in Ghana, Charles Abani, also pledged the UN’s support to ensure that the election process is inclusive and peaceful.

In his remarks, Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister advised the media not to be in a hurry to send out information without cross-checking and pleaded with all Ghanaians to be promoters of peace.

He said: “peace is fragile and priceless. Let us use dialogue to resolve issues, not a feast, not a gun. We must walk peace and talk peace, for without peace there will be no development.”

The Right Reverend Christopher Nyarko Andam, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Peace Council, also urged Ghanaians to maintain peace in the December 2020 elections and beyond.

Other speakers at the dialogue were Nana Effah Apenteng, the Omanhene for Bompata, and former Ghana’s Ambassador to the UN, Benjamin Bannor Bio, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, former Board Chairman of NPC, Affail Monney, President of the Ghana Journalists Association and  Regional Representatives of Political Parties, who all called for credible and peaceful elections. 

Participants at the event included members of political parties, traditional and religious leaders, the Electoral Commission, the Police Service, the National Commission for Civic Education, the Judicial Service, civil society, media, women and youth groups, and academia, all from regions in Southern Ghana. 

“The United Nations further entreats Ghanaians to continue their exemplary path of democratic consolidation and development through peaceful, inclusive, transparent and credible electoral processes” he said in a statement.

Dr. Chambas also called on Ghanaians to adhere to all the safety protocols of coronavirus while registering for the new voter’s ID cards.

Below is the full statement

UNOWAS encourages Ghanaians to ensure peaceful conduct of the voters’ registration exercise

As Ghana embarks on nationwide voters registration exercise today, in anticipation of the December 2020 general elections, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, welcomes the consensus that is developing around the process by the main political actors since the ruling of the Supreme Court on 24 June 2020 despite initial disagreements. He encourages the people of Ghana to collectively support the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

Considering that this exercise will be taking place in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Special Representative entreats all Ghanaians to continue taking appropriate measures towards ensuring that the process is carried out with the utmost respect for health and safety protocols in order to protect those willing to register from any possible contagion.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas calls on all stakeholders to work in a concerted manner in creating an enabling environment for this exercise to be peaceful, credible, inclusive, respectful of human rights and the rule of law.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, reiterates the commitment of the United Nations, including the United Nations Country Team in Ghana, in close collaboration with partners such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), to continue supporting Ghana through the electoral process.

The United Nations further entreats Ghanaians to continue their exemplary path of democratic consolidation and development through peaceful, inclusive, transparent and credible electoral processes.