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Scientific Revival Day in Africa 2006

Scientific Revival Day with a Difference: ATPS - Ghana Chapter Launches Technopolicy Brief Series

"ICT, biotechnology and nanotechnology or the so-called frontier technologies are causing peculiar challenges for Africa" said Prof E. Owusu-Bennoah, Director-General, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Prof Owusu-Bennoah, the Guest of Honour, was speaking during the 2006 Scientific Revival Day of Africa celebrations hosted by the Ghana Chapter at the La Palm Beach Hotel, Accra, on 30 June 2006. The highlight of the ceremony was the launch of a technopolicy brief on nanotechnology. The purpose of the brief, that is first among upcoming series, is to reach inform a range of stakeholders about science and technology application and development. The brief is intended to stimulate discussion and debate on relevant policy issues for Ghana and Africa.

The title of the first book in the series is, Nanotechnology: the developments and implications for Africa by K. Anane-Fenin, Lecturer at the Department of Physics, University of Cape Coast. Dr Anane-Fenin is an active member of the ATPS Ghana Chapter.

Prof Owusu-Bennoah said that marking the day by launching a brief was a reminder to all African countries about the importance of science and technology in development. He also said that observing the African renaissance day was making a statement that the continent has had a history and tradition of science and technology. The word "renaissance" or "revival" simply means that there has been at one time or the other a scientific Africa that needs to come alive again.

Ms Sheila Maina, Research and Training Manager and Acting Executive Director, ATPS presided over the launching of the new ATPS-Ghana Chapter technopolicy brief series. Speaking before the official launch, she congratulated the chapter on this impressive step in history. She quoted a UNCTAD paper Africa's Technology Gap, stating that sub-Saharan Africa is lagging behind in technological content that is vital in a globally competitive world. Publishing a brief on nanotechnology, therefore, is the next big step towards keeping in step with the developed world that is well advanced in biotechnology. Ms Maina said that Africa needs to improve its technological capabilities to match, and even surpass, those of its global competitors. She beseeched Africa to be on the front line of making the most of the emerging technologies at the same pace as the rest of the world.

Dr Yaa Difie Osei, Chairperson, ATPS-Ghana Board of trustees and Lecturer, Biochemistry Department., University of Ghana, Legon presented a lecture on Biotechnology: Hope or Disaster for Africa. According to Dr Osei, Ghana and Africa in general need to focus on the real issues in science and technology so that the continent is not always lagging behind in such areas as GMOs and nanotechnology. The West, she continued had already embraced GMOs and is now studying nanotechnology. Dr Osei was disappointed by the low number of students willing to take up science as a career. She pointed out that there is a progressive general tendency to steer the youth towards business related careers that are currently seen to be in-vogue. Dr Osei further warned that unless African governments made emphatic efforts to entice students to study science by offering scholarships, then Africa would always depend on the developed world for technological assistance. African indigenous foods, such as, cassavas and plantains, she said, were currently taken for granted even though they were diminishing in production. Dr Osei said that only Africans can be expected to work on African indigenous foods.

The ATPS-Ghana Chapter has been at the fore front of stimulating a science-friendly environment in the country. In addition to organizing lectures on science advocacy, the members have also been urging the Ghana government to move towards science, technology and innovation.

During the same event, Dr George Essegbey, National Coordinator, ATPS-Ghana Chapter took the opportunity to appreciate and thank the chapter members for their support. Awards were also presented to deserving members.