Third COMSATS conference ends in Accra

The third Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) conference aimed at fostering sustainable development in developing countries, through science and technology, has ended in Accra.

It was organised by COMSATS in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

Dr Imtinan Elahi Qureshi Executive Director of COMSATS, called on member countries to ensure that research and development organisations acquire the status of centre of excellence.

“These should be able to attract the attention of the world by rolling out new scientific theories and technical products,” he said.

Dr Qureshi made the call at the opening of the two-day conference, in Accra, attended by the 23 member countries in three continents-Africa, Asia and Lartin America.

Dr Qureshi explained that modern science and technology is the key in unlocking doors to socio-economic progress and its neglect would be disastrous for the economic growth of member countries.

He called on member states to provide support for strengthening the technical and intellectual resources available at COMSATS' affiliated Research and Development organisations as well as universities to ensure that they are at par with international standards.

He implored member countries to give greater trust to people who have adopted a scientific career and successfully negotiated a steep learning curve to reach the levels of scientific knowledge.

“These people are the cream of our societies, representing all that is noble and exalted as human being,” he added.

Mr Fazal Abbas Maken, Chairperson COMSATS Consultative Committee acknowledged the fact that developing countries are plagued with poverty and underdevelopment, “But with technologies, we will be making headways leading to huge economic dividends”.

He commended Ghana for being fully committed to COMSATS and making use of the platforms offered by the body to fully serve the collective interests of its people.

Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister of MESTI noted that Ghana attaches great importance to science technology and innovations as a means to achieving accelerated growth and national development.

He expressed Ghana’s support for the Science and Technology South- South cooperation and pledged Ghana’s support in sustaining the cooperation.

Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah Minister of State at the Presidency who represented President John Dramani Mahama, commended the organisers for the conference and said Ghana is committed to adopt new and innovative ways of doing things, drawing on the power of science and technology to diagnose and solve problems.

He acknowledged the numerous contributions made by COMSATS towards science and technology in many developing countries over the period of two decades, and urged member states to extend its maximum support to science and technology for socio-economic development in their countries.

He also entreated member countries to make science and technology the pillar of sustainable development and ensure that the South- South cooperation is strengthened.

COMSATS periodically holds international conference in its member countries for experts to deliberate on critical scientific issues, knowledge sharing, technology transfer and capacity building as well as providing opportunities for students, scientists, engineers and technicians to discuss pressing needs of their respective countries.

COMSATS, is a Pakistan-based inter-governmental organisation, made up of 23 developing countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, China, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Syria and Iran, and has President Mahama as its chairperson.

COMSATS plans workshops and training programmes, provides platforms for renowned scientists, technologists and scholars, to promote relevant science and technology for the development of member-states.

The Commission serves as a platform to mutually identify common developmental problems and devise appropriate technical solutions.

Fourteen Scientists of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, who had benefited from the workshop on Repair and Maintenance of Scientific Instruments organised by COMSATS were presented with certificates.