Science and Technology Planning Committee inaugurated

Accra, May 28, GNA - Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Deputy Minister of Environment Science and Technology, has reiterated government's commitment to rekindling the interest of the study of science and technology in the country.

"The study and practice of science and technology must be given its rightful position in the nation's development agenda, hence the move by governments to recognize the contributions of individuals who have excelled in that field by instituting the Ghana Science and Technology Congress (GSTC)," he said.

Dr Boamah said this at the inauguration of an 11-member National Planning and Organizing Committee (NPOC) on Friday in Accra to plan the successful hosting of the first GSTC 2010.

The event which would take place in November this year, seeks to identify and acknowledge the thoughts, innovations, research output to national development, especially in the field of agriculture and food security, water and sanitation, as well as environment. The committee is chaired by Professor Marian Ewurama Addy, Retired Professor of Biochemistry of the University of Ghana, and would be supported by Mr Peter Logo, the National President of Ghana Association of Science Teachers, Professor F. Nkrumah, Vice President of the Ghana Academy of Art and Sciences, and Ms Carlen Bou-Chedid, a member of the Ghana Institute of Engineers.

Other members include, Dr R.E. M. Entua-Mensah, Deputy Director of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr George Essegbey, Director of Science and Technology Policy Research Institute, Dr Kodzo Gavua, President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and Dr Langbong Bimi, Vice President of UTAG.

The rest are Mr I. J. Aboah, Deputy Director of National Nuclear Research Institute of Ghana, Atomic Energy Commission, Mr Wisdom Sylvanus, Scientific Coordinator of the Ghana Science Association, Mr Hoffman Lartey, representative of the Ghana Institute of Architects, Mr Eric Okoree of MEST, and Ms Adelaide A. Asante, also from MEST.

Dr Boamah said, "The committee is mandated to provide a platform for coordinating the hosting of an exhibition to showcase the country's technology and scientific achievements, display of equipment, tools, implements and machinery, advancement in science and technology related to agriculture, water, sanitation and environment".

The committee, he said, was also expected to raise and manage funds through commercial and sponsorship activities including the sale of exhibition spaces to support the event, as well as provide seed money for the proposed establishment of a Science and Technology Research Fund. Dr Boamah said the committee had been given the mandate to develop and implement effective measures to attract and mobilize agencies under MEST, as well as Ghanaians from all walks of life to ensure a successful hosting of the congress. Prof. Addy promised the commitment of members to hard work to achieve set objectives.