Four researchers received grants to publish works

Accra, Oct. 18, GNA - Unilever Ghana Foundation for Education and Development on Friday presented cash awards totalling 21,200 dollars to four researchers to enable them to publish their scientific work to the benefit of the people.

The research works are in the areas of Medicine, Food Science and Crop Science.

The grant for medicine, worth 10,000 dollars and was jointly given to Professor Edwin Kwame Wiredu and Professor Andrew Adjei both at the School of Allied Sciences to enable them to undertake a study on human papilloma virus that related with cervical cancer among Ghanaian women. The study will involve the use of the latest technology in molecular biology and is expected to impact positively on the health of women.

Mr Robert Kwasi Owusu, a senior research officer at the Savanna Agriculture Research Station, received 5,600 dollars to facilitate research into the inhibition of browning reaction in Parboiled Rice. The grant for crop science study was awarded to Dr John Oteng for work on integrated rich-fish culture in the vertisols, a project that would assist small-scale farmers to produce rice and fish on sustainable basis.

In an address read for him, Professor Kasim Kasanga, Minister of Science and Technology, said cabinet's approval of the National Science and Technology policy document had paved way for the implementation of strategies leading to the application of Science and Technology products for national socio-economic development.

He said the policy would among others create an enabling environment and advocacy for science and technology, promote capacity building as well as development and utilization of research findings.

Professor Kasanga said the establishment of the Science and Technology Fund, which is a component of the Policy Document, would make money available for the implementation of various project activities under the National Science and Technology Foundation.

Mr Andrew Quayson, Chairman of Unilever Foundation, said major innovations by scientists and technologists in most countries in the developed world had brought about striking improvements in the quality of life of their people.

It, therefore, behoves developing countries to develop and use researchers and innovators to improve the life of their citizens. He said there was the need to encourage the pool of high calibre scientists and technologists in the country's universities and research institutions to tackle the problems impeding efforts to improve the living standards of the people.

Mr Quayson said the Foundation gave the awards in the three categories because of their direct impact on life expectancy, productivity and general well being of the people.