Ghana needs independent funding body for Science

Professor Francis Allotey, President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS), has advocated the establishment of an independent funding agency for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to advice government on related research projects and budgetary requirements.

He said the lack of clear government policies on STI has contributed to the nation’s misfortunes.

Prof Allotey was speaking at a lecture to mark the 2014 Founders’ Week celebration, organised by the GAAS under the theme: “Transforming the Economy of Ghana”.

He said there was lack of advocacy for STI at high political and policy levels, including unavailability of mechanisms for the coordination of STI activities in the country to promote synergy.

Scientific knowledge systems, including information and communication technology, Prof. Allotey said, had become the pillars in the accelerated development of the industrialised countries.

The application of modern science and technology would resolve the menace of Ebola and cholera in West Africa, he emphasised.

Prof Allotey noted that scientists were often castigated by the public for their inability to transform science and technology to create wealth enterprises.

However, he said, government must provide the enabling atmosphere to assist the transition from science to business and take discoveries out of the laboratory into the market.

He said the country must encourage science-driven entrepreneurs who would use their talent to create wealth.

He commended the government for the establishment of a space science and technology institute under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to enable the economic transformation of the country, through cutting-edge research, aerospace-industry and satellite application.