Group Aims to Change Country's Economic Destiny

A group of six Ghanaians has formed an organisation, the Centre for Technology-Driven Economic Development (CTED) to promote knowledge based technology-driven economic planning and sustain the rate of economic growth.

The group said the Asian Tigers made it by adopting knowledge-based technology-driven economic planning principles and that their intention is to help change the destiny of Ghana.

The group is made up of Mr. Robert Woode, an agricultural engineer, Prof. K. Frimpong-Boateng, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Col. K.A. Jackson, (Rtd) practicing engineer specialising in energy conversion technology research, Dr. K.A. Owusu Ansah, Member of the Council of State and Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Onua Amoah, an eminent inventor, researcher and industrialist of Anuanom Industries, Winneba and Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, Chancellor, Central University and General Overseer, International Central Gospel Church.

The CTED, an organisation with the potential of changing the economic destiny of Ghana will be formally launched on Thursday, September 12, 2002 under the Chairmanship of the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin with Rev. dr. Kwabena Darko as Guest Speaker.

Dr. Frimpong-Boateng, who is Secretary to the CTED says the group has been challenged by pronouncements of the Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Co-operation, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, that the country needs to increase her per capita income from the present meagre $400 to $1,000 per annum and that to achieve this level of growth will require individual initiatives and forging partnerships as other countries did to attain prosperity for their citizens.

He said they are also motivated by the statement by the former Nigerian Military leader, General (Dr.) Abdulsalami A. Abubakar that scientific and technological education remains the only way forward to the development of West Africa.

Dr. Frimpong-Boateng said, "our initiative is a response to the call by General Abubakar to our scientists and technologists to use applied science and technology tools to help in meaningfully improving the lives of millions who live in poverty in the sub-region".

He said the CTED has realised that "the present primary commodity-based economic planning without science and technology inputs cannot accelerate the economic growth of the nation as quickly as possible hence the initiative".

Dr. Frimpong-Boateng has therefore called on all well-meaning Ghanaians and those who would want to see Ghana develop as a pace-setter in Africa to support the CTED in its endeavours since "we can all contribute to change Ghana in four years".