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New approach to problem solving needed - President
Accra, April 22, Ghanadot/GNA - Ghana
needs new and innovative ideas to run the economy and they
could only be generated through research, which is the basis
of the production, growth and advancement of knowledge.
President John Agyekum made this statement in a speech read
for him at the opening of a three-day meeting of the second
“National Forum on Harnessing Research, Science and
Technology for Sustainable Development in Ghana.”
He said government and its agencies were aware of the
relevance
of knowledge and new ideas and were prepared to utilize the
results of research as guides to their plans, strategies and
activities.
The speech which was read by Mrs Mary Chinery-Hesse,
President’s Special Advisor said it was unfortunate that
there were some research findings by the research scientists
that were not being utilized.
He said mindful of that, he gave that assurance to
researchers that findings would be utilized when found
relevant to the purpose of public and private organizations.
The President noted that Science and Technology was the
bedrock of development for every nation and science should
be seen as less obscure and mysterious and very essential
for the emergence and development of a scientific cultural
in the Ghanaian society.
He charged scientists and researchers to embark on serious
researches not only in science but in other fields of
knowledge that would be related to the society, culture and
economy.
“Industrialization should also indeed become the cornerstone
of our development efforts, for it is the avenue of rapid
economic development, the creation of jobs, reduction of
poverty, and consequently, the enhancement of the quality of
life of our citizens”.
Professor Dominic Fobi, Minister of Education Science and
Sports said the pronouncement of science and technology as
the vital vehicle for propelling development had not
received the right impetus and to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), there was the need to double
efforts to meet the goals within the next seven years.
“We need to harness the potentials of other tools or
concepts to enable us overcome the many challenges we face
in our development drive and in achieving the MDGs.”
Prof. Fobih noted that data and information have revealed
that science and technology when appropriately applied could
enable a developing nation leap-frog and make strides to
catch up with the developed countries.
He said it was unfortunate that Ghana had exploited her
natural resources to the fullest and yet she has not
attained even half of its economic prosperity.
He proposed for the investment in science and technological
areas such as education, human resource and infrastructure
development as well as areas that would rejuvenate industry,
agriculture, health, commerce and the construction sector of
the economy.
“Exploiting the benefits of science, technology and
innovation to all facets of
our economy will accelerate our stride to middle income
status, reduce poverty,
achieve universal education, reduce under five infant
mortality, reduce maternal
deaths and conserve the integrity of the environment”, he
added.
Professor George Benneh, Chairman of the Planning Committee
of the Forum in a speech read for him expressed the Forum’s
gratitude and appreciation for government’s commitment to
the development and implementation of science and
technology.
Professor Fred. T. Sai, Presidential Advisor on Population,
Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS who chaired the function
called for the need to give science and technology the
required recognition and to attach and human visibility to
it.
He called for the need to combine science and technology,
culture and sociology to give the country the positive
impact required.
Some topics to be addressed for the three days include:
“Science and technology in the Implementation of the Ghana
Poverty Reduction Strategy, Quality Education for All:
Strategies for Building the Gaps, Enhancing the Impact of
President’s special Initiative Through Science, Research and
Technology and
Nutrition, “The Health of the People: The Challenge and the
Response of Research and Demystifying and Promoting Science
and Technology: What the Media can Do”.
GNA
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