A way forward for industrialization

The Centre for Technology-Driven Economic Development (CTED), an initiative of six Ghanaians of different professional backgrounds with the common goal of putting both human and natural resources to develop Ghana, was yesterday launched at the Golden Tulip in Accra.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyenhene launched the Centre, which has the objective of putting the nation’s natural resources to economic use to improve living standards of Ghanaians, creating jobs for the youth and promoting development.

The membership constitutes Prof. K. Frimpong-Boateng, Chief Executive of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Kofi Amanor Owusu-Ansah Director, Institute of Industrial Research and Member of the Council of State, Mr. Robert Woode, Engineer, Rev. Dr. Mensah Otabil, General Overseer of Central Gospel Church, Col. K.A Jackson (retired) and Onua Amoah, a scientist and industrialist.

The various speeches touched on the fact that Ghana is blessed with almost all the minerals and natural resources for self sustainability and development, yet "we are behaving like wretched lepers incapable of harnessing our resources and potentials for our own survival and development."

Ghana also listed among the 44 least developed countries in the world because "we have failed to use our knowledge to build the nation".

Ghana was ahead of Korea in terms of GDP ($250 and $90 respectively) in the sixites but South Korea is now the eleventh largest economy in the world. In order to build on human skills, it was advocated that the education system should be structured in a way that pupils from junior secondary level who could not gain admission into senior secondary school should be given at least two years vocational training. S.S.S students who fail to enter the university should get the opportunity to do a middle-level manpower course in the polytechnic.

The members were not happy that Ghanaians do not use their own expertise. Experts were themselves challenged to go beyond textbook knowledge. They also bemoaned the lack of financial support to assist scientists and innovators in the country.

Rev. Dr. Kwabena Darko, Director Bank of Ghana said the world economy has changed in the past decades and it is time for Ghana to reshape our industrialization to make it more competitive.

He said if Ghana is to survive as an industrialized nation, "we should not limit ourselves but we should think in global terms".

He said countries in sub-Saharan Africa lack technology, professional management skills and capital to exploit the global industrialization. He therefore urged industrialists to develop technical competency to master technology in order to compete at the world market.