Ghana at a scientific standstill

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, on Thursday said Ghana had been at a "scientific standstill" over the past 50 years, and called for a change in the national development policy.

"Before Independence, our farmers were cultivating with cutlasses and hoes manufactured by our local blacksmiths, 50 years after independence our farmers are still faming with cutlasses and hoes imported from China, Europe and the Americas.

"Ghana, just after independence started building vehicles branded "Boafo and Adom," around the same period when Korea also started building their own brand of vehicles, years down the line, Ghana's move have crumpled and we import vehicles from Korea," Prof. Addae-Mensah stated.

Speaking at the official launch of the National Forum on Research, Science and Technology, flagship book: "Harnessing Research, Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in Ghana," Prof. Addae-Mensah questioned the nation's sense of scientific direction.

He said over the past 40 years, the nation had not been able to complete the building of a National Science and Technology Museum, but we used only 18 months to build four modern state of the art sports stadia, adding; "it shows the country's priority."

"If we want to develop as a nation, we must focus more on science, technology and research development by giving more resources to promote and support our scientists," he said.

Prof. Addae-Mensah also expressed concern about the rampant swinging of science and technology from one ministry to the other at any ministerial reshuffle.

In an apparent response to the former Vice Chancellors' concern, Prof Dominic Fobih, Minister of Education, Science and Sports who launched the book said government acknowledged that a country with a high percentage of scientifically literate citizenry is richer, healthier and is able to manage its resources for its own good.

In view of this, he said, the government placed high premium on the development of science and technology and considers science education as the engine of growth for the economy. What was left was a concerted effort by all stakeholders, industrialists and the financial sector operators to support government unveil all hidden talents, potentials and capabilities of our scientists.

Prof. Fobih said that Ghana as a nation needed to inculcate a culture of science in the people. "Scientific acculturation will provide individuals with understanding and appreciation of science to develop a positive attitude towards the application of scientific knowledge in our day to day activities."

The Minister therefore urged industries to absorb science and technical students for attachment to be exposed to innovations in work places and adapt to the fast changing knowledge-based economy. This would create opportunities for students to add practical and hands-on-experiences to the theory, knowledge and process they acquired during schooling to make it more relevant to the needs of society. Prof. Edmund K. Osae of the Physics Department of University of Ghana, in a preview said the National Forum sought to use the book to create awareness of research, science and technology in the Ghanaian public in the context of a global culture that had become predominantly scientific.

The 366 page-book is sub-divided into six parts comprising proceedings of the opening ceremony of the first National forum, the culture, research and science education, research and sustainable development, highlights on research, development and information technology, research in the global context and the concluding remarks.