Government goofed in splitting Technology from Science

Research staff of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), caught in the middle of the recent cabinet reshuffle and the re-designation of the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology have protested against the excision of the Technology from the Ministry.

The technology sub-sector was moved to Communications, which lost the Transport sub-sector to roads.

The CSIR’s Research Staff Association (RSA) described the transfer of the Technology sub-sector as anomalous and incongruous. “That the two words, ‘Science and Technology’, are always found together everywhere has not been by chance, because the basis of the generation of all technologies, together with information and communications technology, is the science behind them,” says a statement issued in Accra by the association.

They said they were of the strong opinion that the government decision to excise the technology sub-sector to the new ministry would not serve the interest of the people of this country and the scientific community in particular. But now it appears that the government has not realised the apparent confusion the re-designation has caused and is making effort to address the problem.

The Statesman has learnt from source at the castle that steps are being taken to address the anomaly and there have been instructions to cabinet Secretary to shed more light on the reshuffle. According to the source, the outcome was not what was intended by the President.

The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which is the basis for the new ministry of Communication and Technology, was erroneously taken to be the excision of Technology from Science and Environmental Ministry, he said.

The CSIR Research Staff association says the re-designation of the ministry would enhance the co-ordination of all scientific research and technology application and help in the development of an effective nation research system.

However the problem at the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) is rather more complex. The appointment of a Minister for the commission is said to have created an administration overlap.

The Statesman learnt that the NDPC, which had a Director General as its head before the ministerial changes has been saddled with the problem of conflicting roles as the minister takes charge. Constitutionally, the commission is to be run by a board headed by a chairman, with the Director-General as the administrative head.

The difficulty facing science and technology in the country is aptly captured by a building in Accra designed to house the museum for Science and technology. While cynics wonder what scientific innovations are happening in the country to justify the building of a science museum, the fate of the building itself gives a lot of cause for concern.

A signboard at the front says: “Visiting hours 9 am to 6 pm everyday - closed on Mondays.” But unknown to the visitor the building is occupied by 70 squatters, who have divided the third floor into living quarters. Children can be seen playing along the entrance. Weavers ply their craft and women prepare their meals in the open. The splendid exterior of the building is in stark contrast with the largely uncompleted interior.