Accra, July 27, GNA - With Science and Technology (S&T) as the pivot of socio-economic development, some Ghanaian inventors have entered into a competition to unearth their innovations. The competition, organized by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as part of its 50th anniversary, will select three winners from the 20 entries. The three final winners will be awarded with prizes.

At the second screening ceremony in Accra on Monday Dr George Essegbey, Director of Science and Technology Policy Research (STEPRI), said the competition, which considered innovativeness, economic commercial viability, environmental friendliness, feasibility for adoption by end-users, would stimulate interest and promote Science and Technology Innovations (STI) among the general public.

It will also give recognition to Ghanaian innovations and investors and put the spotlight on STI as a tool for national development. The first screening selected 14 entries and these included a locally manufactured incubator, cooker, raffia mats for silo construction and a soyabean improvement variety. Dr Essegbey said the guidelines spelt out for the entrants were to have their innovations produced in Ghana and had to be scientific or technical in nature.

Dr Mamaa Entsua-Mensah, Deputy Director-General of CSIR, said the council's mandates included encouragement in the national interest of scientific and industrial research for the development of agriculture, health, medicine, environment, technology and other service sectors of the economy.

She said innovation and technology were needed to transform countries from reliance on the exploitation of natural resources to technological innovation as a basis for development. "First, innovation can directly increase the ability of existing science, technology and innovation programmes to reduce poverty and expand human capabilities", she said.

Dr Entsua-Mensah commended the innovators for the interest and enthusiasm they had exhibited and urged them to exploit all the avenues that might come their way. 27 July 09