...For Inadequate Funding
The national President of the Research Staff Association (RSA) Dr. Ampim Dekyi Adjei has said the lack of money syndrome in Ghana has been responsible for the absence of any sustained research programmes in the country.
He said Ghana, should be able to define its priorities and provide adequate funds for critical areas with or without donor support.
"We should not forget that, out of nothing, nothing comes," he said
Dr. Adjei made these remarks at the 14th annual meeting of the CSIR, under the theme "The Role of the CSIR in sustainable Private-Sector Development in the Golden Age of Business.
"When Cocoa got here the right and favourable conditions for the realization of its economic potential were created," we had a research institute, an efficient extension service and a marketing board for the purchase of the produce and as such Ghana, a small country became the largest cocoa producer in the world.
He said the format for the successful development of all other crops is available and would be realised when appropriately challenged.
. He also blamed management of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the past for not being proactive in seeking better conditions of service for its personnel.
"We believe that management cannot escape the blame for the marginalisation of the CSIR in government scheme of operations, The type of leadership provided by CSIR management over the years is reflected in the case where our Chief Executive sought everything for himself by ensuring that he was placed at par with the Vice Chancellors of the country's Universities but left the rest of us top our fate."he said.
Dr. Ampim said the leadership role might have resulted in the President knowing more about the Oil Palm projects in Malaysia than his own Oil Palm research Institute at Kusi near Kade.
"The RSA is aware that its members have provided expertise in oil palm production to Indonesia, Malaysia and several other countries.
Dr. Ampim explained that when Malaysian scientists are hailed, it appears Ghanaian scientists are not doing anything. "Presently, one of the key architects of the Quality Protein Maize (QPM) varies "Obaatampa, Mamaba is in Ethiopia working for that country. He said, "The RSA is aware that its members have provided expertise in Oil Palm production to Indonesia, Malaysia and several other countries".
Dr. Adjei asked government to facilitate the adoption and utilisation of locally generated technologies by tying the granting of loans to the adoption of local technologies, because it will help in the development of local technologies and lay a more solid basis for the economy.
The CEO of research and marketing services of the CSIR, W.A Krofah asked the participants to introduce relevant technology to accelerate, agricultural development and also pay attention to agro-processing so as to ensure food security.
The Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Integration, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom urged the Research Staff Association to be part of the solution to the poverty reduction strategy by offering their findings for analysis, since the government is creating a suitable environment for sustainable development.
Dr. Nduom added that commercialization of the activities of the CSIR will greatly benefit the economy.
In the annual report of the Research Staff Association, the national secretary Prince Avortri indicated that CSIR has proposed the utilisation of its 13 science and technology institutions to assist in the training of Ghanaian students at the postgraduate level in various scientific disciplines.
He said, "our proposal that this arrangement is formalised stems from the fact that, the arrangement already exists in Britain, India the US and other countries and we cannot afford not to follow these examples".
The report also outlined arrangements that will facilitate the strengthening of the financial base of the local RSA by putting in place a framework to enable a percentage of funds generated by RSA members through externally funded projects be put into a local RSA fund.
Avortri also spoke about promotion, which he said is a very sensitive subject in the CSIR. He said,
"Management has plans to prevent the delays in the promotion of senior members, for those on the Assistant research and Research Scientist grades, the promotions would be done using internal assessment. This is intended to hasten promotions thus minimizing frustrations within the system".
Professor Dominic Fobih, the Minister of Environment and Science assured the scientists of government support, he also asked the CSIR to study the document on the proposed National Vision and make recommendations with regard to issues pertaining to science and technology.
