Neglect of research to stall Ghana's development efforts

Fumesua (Ash), Sept. 15, GNA - Some Ghanaian scientists have said the persistent inadequate funds for research and excessive delay in the release of research funding by the government could stall Ghana's moves to attain a middle-income status by 2015.

They described as unacceptable situations where researchers and research institutions had to depend largely on donor agencies and the international community for their sustenance and work with little support from government.

The scientists made the call at a press conference held by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at Fumesua near Kumasi at the weekend.

The conference formed part of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebration of the Council, and the occasion was used to highlight the achievements, challenges and development plans of the various research institutions under the CSIR. The CSIR has been mandated to provide inputs for sustainable socio-economic development through its research programmes, and to operate to ensure the conservation of natural resources, and also promote sound environmental management.

In spite of this, the scientists bemoaned inadequate remuneration for research scientists and technicians, coupled with poor conditions of service by successive governments over the years.

This, they said, had led to periodic strikes among staff, leading to related disruptions in research experiment and high attrition rate among researchers to the detriment of the nation's development. Dr Hans Adu-Dapaah, Director, Crops Research Institute (CRI) of the CSIR, citing instances from his outfit said the annual social benefit from maize research in Ghana increased from 4.8 million dollars in 1979 to 84 million dollars in 2005, and that internal rate of return of cowpea research and extension activities from 1979 to 2005 was 58 per cent.

He said as at 2004, about 75 per cent of farmers were using CRI improved cowpea varieties and agronomic practices, and said biological control of cassava and mango mealy bugs resulted in 50 per cent yield increase.

Dr Adu-Dapaah noted that the Institute had also in the past done a great job in developing about 17, three, eight, four and eight varieties of maize, yam, sweet potatoes, soy beans and cassava respectively, adding that they had also intensified research into developing other varieties for the nation's benefit.

The CRI Director regretted that the inauguration of some of these varieties of food crops was met with disaffection by policy-makers and condemned in no uncertain terms.

He said even some of the events aimed at popularizing these food crops had been totally neglected by some Ministers of State. Dr Rose Entsua-Mensah, Deputy Director-General of the CSIR, said the continuous dependence on foreign aid for research activities was uncalled for since it compelled Ghanaian researchers to do their work in favour of foreigners instead of their own nation.

She noted that science and technology were critical drivers and major catalysts for economic development and that the time has come for government to embark on a vigorous policy direction to support research institutions.