CSIR boss calls for collaboration

...between research development and other sectors

Accra, Aug. 21, GNA - Professor Emmanuel Owusu-Bennoah, Director-General of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), on Tuesday called for closer collaboration between research development, the private and public sectors to advance science and technology.

He said strengthening infrastructural linkages between various sectors of the economy was crucial to avoid the creation of isolated or counter-productive institutions.

Prof. Owusu-Bennoah said this at a five-day National Science and Technology Fair 2007 in Accra organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports to showcase scientific discoveries by students and draw public attention on the importance of science education. He said the solution resided in the formulation of the necessary science and technology strategic plans that could be complemented with support from government, financial institutions and industries. "Such a solution would create the necessary space for the research and development chain, that is, generation, diffusion and utilisation of research outputs."

The Director-General expressed regret that most scientists often discouraged their children not to take up science courses due to the poor remuneration and challenges in their work. He said the CSIR, for instance, had encountered a high turnover rate by its research scientists as a result of low remuneration, lack of working tools, lack of recognition and job satisfaction. Mr Owusu-Bennoah commended Government for instituting a Science and Technology Fund, saying the initiative would set collective scientific and technological knowledge into action.

Professor Josphus Amanuah-Mensah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, identified collaboration between Universities, industries and research institutions as crucial to champion industrial growth.

He said working on the linkages would encourage the youth to gain interest in scientific research, instead of always concentrating on Arts and Business courses.

He commended the teachers and students for developing such projects, saying, "As children they should be given more support to ignite the spirit of innovation and curiosity so that they will come out with more projects."

He challenged the youth to be problem-solving oriented by using science to solve challenges encountering various sectors of the economy. Mr. Hebert K.K. Graham, President of the Ghana Association of Science Teachers, expressed disappointment at the number of students shunning science courses. "How can our world survive after our scientists today are no more, when the youth have lost interest in such an important discipline?" He called on government to make available incentives and scholarships to make science education more attractive. 21 Aug. 07