Science & Technology to be the bedrock of development

The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Professor Dominic K. Fobih, on Thursday stressed government's determination to make Science and Technology (S&T) the bedrock of the country's development, saying a solid foundation will be laid within the next four years.

In a speech read for him by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr Edwin Barnes, the minister said the absence of a national policy document has over the years hampered the nation's drive in using science and technology to support development efforts.

"Now that we have evolved such a document, it is the intention of the present administration to ensure that the country moves forward using science and technology," he said.

The minister gave the assurance at a flag raising ceremony at the stand of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as part of the on-going Indutech fair.

The ceremony was to expose to the public the research findings of the faculties, institutes, departments and schools of the KNUST.

Prof. Fobih said countries that have invested heavily in science and technology are enjoying a higher standard of living than others, which failed to do so.

"At the moment, Ghana can be described as one of the countries in the latter group with low level of investment in science and technology," he said.

Prof. Fobih lauded the university's decision to integrate herbal medicine in its academic programmes and expressed the hope that much more would be done to bring science and technology to bear on the life of the average Ghanaian.

He mentioned the inability of science and technology institutions to get the private sector to patronise their research findings as a major problem confronting them.

The Vice-Chancellor of the KNUST, Professor John Sefa Ayim, said the university emphasises research and development and places a high premium on innovation and product development, which are key to the nation's industrialisation and economic survival.

"KNUST will continue to play this role in the industrialisation and economic survival of Ghana and its industries in the new competitive global market," he assured.

Prof. Ayim called for a greater collaboration between industries and the university so as to tap the knowledge and expertise of the professional researcher who can help to improve on the quality of their products and develop new ones at cheaper costs.

The Minister of Education, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, tasked the KNUST to fabricate implements that will help people in the rural communities.