Watch out for insect threats - African scientists told

Accra, Oct. 6 GNA - Mr Tony Oteng-Gyasi, Chairman of the University of Ghana Council, on Friday challenged young African scientists to provide solutions to the threats posed by insect and vectors to the health, sustenance and development of the on Continent.

"In our quest to protect the people from some insects we must make sure that we do not destroy all of them together."

Mr Oteng-Gyasi was speaking at the inauguration of a 3.2 billion cedis building for the African Regional Post-Graduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS) at the University of Ghana, Legon. The building, which is the training centre for ARPPIS activities in the West Africa Sub-Region, was funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the German Government.

He said insects such as locusts had the potential of destroying large areas of crops and as such called for a collaborative effort from allied institutions in addressing the issue.

Mr Oteng-Gyasi called on the scientists to strive to build internal strengths to cope with changes and to modernise to meet future challenges.

Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, commended individuals whose personal contributions led to the construction of the Centre.

He said the inauguration of the centre also showed the support and commitment of the Government of Ghana and the University to ARPPIS. He said the Centre would provide courses that would enhance the understanding of economic entomology, especially in relation to insect pests, vector diseases of medical and veterinary importance. Professor Kwame Afreh-Nuamah, Coordinator, ARPPIS West Africa, called for a review of the curriculum in order to introduce recent advances in insect science and allied disciplines including the capacity to research downstream processes.

He said there was the need to have tracer studies to build the database of graduates and linkages as well as use their experiences to improve on the course.

He said the new policies should allow students to do research at their home countries, so as to address local problems.