Ghana Planetarium

Officially opened to coincide with the UN-sponsored International Year of Astronomy 2009, the Ghana Planetarium is a 30-year dream come to fruition for the Director, Dr. Ashong and his wife. It is the first digital planetarium in sub-Saharan Africa and offers a unique interactive experience for children and adults of all ages. The Planetarium currently accepts group bookings only, at a minimum cost of GHc 60 per group. A variety of different shows are available, depending on the age range and interest of the group. The maximum number of people the dome can hold is around 40. Special events for the public are held occasionally, featuring activities such as planetarium shows, astronomy film shows and telescope viewing. The charge is usually around GHc 2 – Ghc 5 per person. A local astronomy group, GAOA (Ghana Astronomy and Observation Association) holds regular meetings at the Planetarium. Their website is http://www.astroclubghana.com. The people at the Planetarium are on a mission, not only to enthuse and inspire Ghanaians about astronomy and the world around us, but also on a wider scale, to encourage scientific thinking, and to make science education more creative, innovative and practical. Interactive science exhibits are currently being constructed in the grounds of the Planetarium compound, and there are other projects being planned such as: Astronomy fun days and competitions for children Astronomy outreach across the country using a mobile planetarium Astronomy teacher training Build your own telescope sessions, and sale of “Galileoscope” kits Compilation of local names of constellations and local myths/stories about the heavens etc. Please feel free to call or email to find out about upcoming events. If you are a keen amateur or professional astronomer, and would like to assist with astronomy activities at the Planetarium on an ad-hoc, short-term or long-term basis, then we would love to hear from you.

Location: 12, Osu Avenue Extension, Accra (this is the road behind Police HQ on the Ring Road, and also behind Christ the King Church and School. Cinderella’s Night Club is on the same road) Tel: 021 770600 / 769204 Email: ghanaplanetarium@yahoo.com Website: http://www.ghanascienceproject.net

Sarah Abotsi-Masters