Need to involve scientists in devt - Dr Owusu

Kumasi, Oct. 11, GNA - Dr Alfred Owusu, President of Ghana Sciences Association has stressed the need for government to involve scientists in the country's development agenda.

He said harnessing science and technology for national development was crucial to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's). Dr Owusu made the call when launching this year's Science Students' Association (SCISA) Week under the theme "Ghana's Development Equation-Can Scientists be Left Out?" at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi on Wednesday.

He attributed the nation's slow pace of development to non-involvement of scientists in the planning agenda and called for more financial support for science education and research to help build optimal capacity for scientists to utilise their expertise on industrialization to boost growth of the economy.

Mr Kofi Amoabeng, Chief Executive Officer of Unique Trust Financial Services in an address read for him challenged scientists to let their research findings translate into products that could be utilized by industries to enhance productivity and improve living standards. Mr Ebenezer Jones-Mensah, President of KNUST Branch of the association called on the media to set an agenda for science to influence public thinking and opinion.

Professor Aboagye-Menyeh, Provost of the college, urged government to give due recognition to scientists to minimise over-dependence on foreign experts.