Scientists and Technologists in President's Initiatives

Professor Jerome S. Djangmah, former head of the Department of Zoology of the University of Ghana, on Tuesday, called for the involvement of scientists and technologists in all the President's Special Initiatives (PSI) to ensure their success.

He said science and technology was the foundation of every development and creation of wealth. And for the success of the President's Special Initiatives, there should be a very strong involvement of scientists and technologists to give technical advice and impact their knowledge as well.

"Government spends so much importing technical advisors from other countries whilst the country has brilliant scientists and technologists who could offer the same advice as their counterparts brought in from other countries".

Prof. Djangmah made the call at the opening of a two-day science colloquium for students and members of the Faculty of Science as part of its academic activities for the year. The colloquium under the theme: "The role of Science in the Wealth Creation" would give members of the faculty the opportunity to discuss some scientific research findings.

Prof. Djangmah noted that the areas selected by the President as his special initiatives were very good ones that would yield the government a lot of wealth if scientists and technologists were involved to sustain them adding, "every initiative should have a research development component".

"Ghana had independence before Malaysia but Malaysia had been very successful and far advanced in technology than Ghana. This had been so because the government saw the need and the important role of science and technology in the building of their nation".

He said scientists and technologists must also embrace the initiative and move it forward instead of waiting for government to invite them. "It is time for us to put an end to this awkward attitude if we want to move forward in development as a nation". He urged government to ensure that all sectors and ministries use the science and technology resources of the nation adequately and create high value added jobs for science and technology manpower. "The most important thing is for government to create funds for research and development activities and place high value on science research as it is done in most developing countries for wealth creation".

Professor Marian Ewura Ama Addy of the Department of Biochemistry of the University, who spoke on the: "Science Education: Does it Prepare us for Wealth Creation", said most student lose interest in studying science to a higher level because of lack of practical resources.

She explained that the study of science in the country had always been theory without relating whatever the students study in the classroom to the environment. "An example is the study of Cocoa, we say our Cocoa is the best but have we learnt scientifically about how it became the best"? Science students must be taken to the field to see how the seed is like and how it grows to become the best". Prof. Addy reiterated the need do science in a more practical way to attract more students, especially girls by providing more resources for science departments.