Ghana Election 2012 was the definition of the soul of Ghana

The years from 1960 to 1982 was marked by rampant military overthrows of democratic governments. Many frontline professionals in the country at that time left the country in their numbers. Many have gone on to achieve more than their widest dreams. Many more have gone on to achieve higher order goals. Many of these people have refused to relocate to Ghana after the more than 20 years of democratic government. They had apparently discovered the contents of the soul of this country Ghana and no amount of small incremental steps will convince them to relocate to Ghana.

The Ghana election 2012 has defined for many of us the contents of the soul of this country. In this elections business as usual, poverty and tribalism overtook patriotism, progress and prosperity. That is a real shame. Crude mentality overshadowed reason and intellect. Some of us really need to flown onto the moon. This part of the world is not fit for human habitation.

The right decision was to change of an NDC government made up of some viscious, clueless and marauding bandits. Who will denegrade even a Pastor for political campaign. Too many of them only care more about their party and tribe than the nation. In their mind the Nation Ghana does not exist. Just listen to them talk to the nation; and they address everyone as though we are all NPP people. WHY?

We are disappointed at a nation, 50.7 % that is, who glorified the inappropriate conduct of an NDC government. Government that endorsed the stealing of state funds through the so-called judgment debts. They even used state funds to buy laptops for votes buying purposes. They knew very well that they had committed huge crimes and people of reason will not take kindly to that.

Many of us do not care about NPP per se; let’s get it straight. we wish we had three or more parties we can change into government. That is the tragic situation the nation is in, having to choose between only two parties. A government should not be maintained after they commit so many crimes against the people and then use that money to buy their vote. Martin Amidu the Chief Lawyer of the NDC said something like this. That is the lousy bit.

NPP paid for their errors, when were pushed out in 2008. We the people must take our power seriously and not sell it so cheaply on the account of bribes and tribes. We would not have been this upset, if we had changed this government of criminality. NPP or not; we do not care. In political matters, we believe first in the human Interests then the national Interests, political party interests before the personal Interests. Our enthic group would never dictate our choice at the poll.

Any third force political party will take 100 years to win a national election in Ghana. The CPP disappointed us by breaking their front, thus offering no hope for the much-needed third force. In our candid opinion, the 50.7% did not decide, they were bribed into voting. And they were not quick to see that they were blinded by tribal bigotry and poverty. I must qualify that and say that a significant number of that 50.7% were bribed to keep a bad government in power. The others just voted based on tribal bigotry. To be balanced, a significant number of the NPP voters are also tribal in their voting. Taken together: This country is not fit for human habitation. No wonder VISAs are such miraculous wonders in Ghana, even for a South African VISA.

Those who have been out in the Developed World for many years before are sure to find that it does not feel good to be here. They are not looking for a nirvana but it’s a matter of the threshold of human decency. How can there be hopes of making Ghana better when the most critical decisions cannot be made? We cannot all subscribe to this collective doom. For those who have gained this understanding of the content of the soul of Ghana, the escape is inevitable. What we are suffering from is that, Ghana as country has too many people who are concerned only about what they can enjoy now and what is in the interest of their tribe alone. We can't all be trapped in this doomed situation.

Patrick Kobina Arthur (PhD) || parthur14@gmail.com || http://pakar1-corner.blogspot.com/

Ghana Election 2012 was the definition of the soul of Ghana

The years from 1960 to 1982 was marked by rampant military overthrows of democratic governments. Many frontline professionals in the country at that time left the country in their numbers. Many have gone on to achieve more than their widest dreams. Many more have gone on to achieve higher order goals. Many of these people have refused to relocate to Ghana after the more than 20 years of democratic government. They had apparently discovered the contents of the soul of this country Ghana and no amount of small incremental steps will convince them to relocate to Ghana.

The Ghana election 2012 has defined for many of us the contents of the soul of this country. In this elections business as usual, poverty and tribalism overtook patriotism, progress and prosperity. That is a real shame. Crude mentality overshadowed reason and intellect. Some of us really need to flown onto the mood. This part of the world is not fit for human habitation.

The right decision was to change of an NDC government made up of some viscious, clueless and marauding bandits. Who will denegrade even a Pastor for political campaign. Too many of them only care more about their party and tribe than the nation. In their mind the Nation Ghana does not exist. Just listen to them talk to the nation; and they address everyone as though we are all NPP people. WHY?

We are disappointed at a nation, 50.7 % that is, who glorified the inappropriate conduct of an NDC government. Government that endorsed the stealing of state funds through the so-called judgment debts. They even used state funds to buy laptops for votes buying purposes. They knew very well that they had committed huge crimes and people of reason will not take kindly to that.

Many of us do not care about NPP per se; let’s get it straight. we wish we had three or more parties we can change into government. That is the tragic situation the nation is in, having to choose between only two parties. A government should not be maintained after they commit so many crimes against the people and then use that money to buy their vote. Martin Amidu the Chief Lawyer of the NDC said something like this. That is the lousy bit.

NPP paid for their errors, when were pushed out in 2008. We the people must take our power seriously and not sell it so cheaply on the account of bribes and tribes. We would not have been this upset, if we had changed this government of criminality. NPP or not; we do not care. In political matters, we believe first in the human Interests then the national Interests, political party interests before the personal Interests. Our enthic group would never dictate our choice at the poll.

Any third force political party will take 100 years to win a national election in Ghana. The CPP disappointed us by breaking their front, thus offering no hope for the much-needed third force. In our candid opinion, the 50.7% did not decide, they were bribed into voting. And they were not quick to see that they were blinded by tribal bigotry and poverty. I must qualify that and say that a significant number of that 50.7% were bribed to keep a bad government in power. The others just voted based on tribal bigotry. To be balanced, a significant number of the NPP voters are also tribal in their voting. Taken together: This country is not fit for human habitation. No wonder VISAs are such miraculous wonders in Ghana, even for a South African VISA.

Those who have been out in the Developed World for many years before are sure to find that it does not feel good to be here. They are not looking for a nirvana but it’s a matter of the threshold of human decency. How can there be hopes of making Ghana better when the most critical decisions cannot be made? We cannot all subscribe to this collective doom. For those who have gained this understanding of the content of the soul of Ghana, the escape is inevitable. What we are suffering from is that, Ghana as country has too many people who are concerned only about what they can enjoy now and what is in the interest of their tribe alone. We can't all be trapped in this doomed situation.

Patrick Kobina Arthur (PhD) || parthur14@gmail.com || http://pakar1-corner.blogspot.com/

There goes Ghana Science and Tech hopes: See you 2512

Sorry for Science and Technology in Ghana, the presidential debaters all do not even understand the issue. What is needed is not a policy for class 1 to 6 science education. There are 1000s of Ghanaian scientist in and out of Ghana, waiting for the infra-structure to work with. What is needed is an APEX institution that put Ghanaian Scientist to maximum use and utilize their output to generate more interest at the lower levels of education. The enthusiasm for science is currently higher at the basic education level than at the University. 

60 years ago Nkrumah established the most ambitious Science and Tech enterprise in Africa. Today our candidate-leaders could not even mention CSIR, GAEC, the Universities and how to expand and source them for Development. Primary School Science Education???? OMG

Science is humanity's greatest tool. But in Africa, that tool has no use. So I sit here waiting to explore. It feel like walking barefoot.

Let see what the year 2512 Ghana elections will bring. 

Ghana Election 2012: No Funding For Science Research - No Vote

Ghana Election 2012: No Funding For Science Research - No Vote

Elections can determine which direction the wind blows. It is that powerful. The expression of the sovereign will of the people. This is why all well meaning Ghanaian must bring their demands and desires to bare as we collectively craft a new and durable vision for our country over the next four years. We cannot fail this one; all hands must be on the deck this time.

In the 2008 elections, a clear promise was made to alocate 1% of our GDP to fund science and technology. The best this current government was able to do over the period of fours was to create a Science, Technology and Innovation Fund and seeded it with only two million Ghana cedis. Now that is a funny joke. What can anybody buy with just 2M GHCedis? No ! this is not what serious countries do at all.

Ghana Election 2012: The Second Presidential Debate

My question is:

What measures are the candidates taking to ensure that Science and Tech does not continue to take the back stage in Ghana. 

Our development agenda will be futile without a deliberate effort to engage in Research and Development.  The type that is taking place in Germany, Japan, UK and the US.

Will the candidates consider the establishment of the "Ghana Grand Challenges Corporation".  To organize and fund the Research and Development Agenda of Ghana.

The “Ghana Grand Challenges Corporation”, if considered with the right mindset and by the rights minds consitute an idea that is easier to implement than enduring poverty. Not all the electorates are satisfied with just a Free SHS campaign. And that small group of 1-2% of electorates looking for weightier matters to vote on will be crucial in deciding a close election.

The politicians need to understand that a mix bag of policies is the wisest approach for Ghana. Some policies must be immediate, some short-term and others mid to long-term. They should take a position on it like they did on the 1% GDP for research in 2008 that never happened. This time many more people are watching.

Patrick Kobina Arthur (PhD),

parthur14@gmail.com

http://pakar1-corner.blogspot.com/

I need a poet, I need a wordsmith.

   Between an Inuit and a Desert Dweller. 

Between the days of studies and the work days.  

Between the struggle not freeze and the struggle not to burn.  

Between the life we wish to have and the life that have us in. 

Between the life of hopes and dreams and a life of ways and means.  

Between the struggle to need and the need to struggle. 

Between the life of possibilities and the life of  impossibilities. 

 Between everywhere and nowhere. 

 Between the honor of work and dishonor of looting the honor.  

Between there and here.  Between pure joy and pure crime.  

Between the limits beyond the sky and limits below the sky. 

Between we are one and we not one at all.  Between empathy and apathy.  

Between the beautiful soul and the ugly demon.  

Between live-and-let-live and live at everyones expense.  

 I need a poet, I need a wordsmith. 

I need someone with a gift of writing to draft the 

endless contradictions into a beautiful piece of poetry. 

I hope this writing will capture the contradictions so

 that I can start again, all over again.

With Gratitude to the Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research

“I am very excited about this Novartis workshop. This is a very good move by a visionary company to inspire a new generation of scientist from Africa. We have a lot of problems to be solved and we appreciate the efforts of a global leader like Novartis in preparing us to take charge. Every section of the workshop has been excellent. I will not change anything but rather ask for more capacity building. Without these kinds of activities there will only be slow progress in global health. I hope that Novartis will take this move a step higher and create a program to empower young scientists to set up their research programs.”

NextGen VOICES survey 4: What one big idea in your field do you wish that every non-scientist understood? Why?

And comment in the NextGen VOICES survey 4 got selected as one of the 17 for print: Sure I am excited.



Science 5 October 2012: 
vol. 338 no. 6103 pp. 40-43 
DOI: 10.1126/science.338.6103.40


In the 5 October 2012 issue, we ran excerpts from 17 of the many interesting responses we received. Below, you will find the full versions of those 17 essays (in the order they were printed) as well as the best (in alphabetical order) of the other submissions we received

Mine is one of the top 17 selected out of 200: And the only from Africa.

What one big idea in your field do you wish that every non-scientist understood? Why?

The idea that one of the biggest threats to public health is the rise in the drug-resistant pathogens. Due to increased global trade and travels, these pathogens can spread easily. A truly global research system is necessary and timely. We never know when local problems and solutions may become global, and every part of the world has a contribution to make.

Patrick Kobina Arthur
Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
E-mail: parthur@ug.edu.gh

Led by the blind

They can dig deeper ditches,


but remind them to put some ropes in there,

 they will need it.

As for me,


I saw them digging

and I will not fall in it.



When the blind leads the "blind".......???

How can the blind lead the visionary???



I am glad you simply said, I should allow myself to
be "led" and not to be "led astray".

Everyone is a leader, some lead in the front, the middle
and the back. Everyone has a contribution to make.

Why are research-based pharmaceutical companies almost non-existent in Africa

The economic factors are only superficial, the deeper roots of this problem is lack/low level of "Scientific Temper" in the African culture. Prof. Bruce Alberts explained this concept of "Scientific Temper" so beautifully at the GYA meeting in South Africa this year. In our Universities, less than 20% of the students pursue science/engineering and fewer go on to careers in science. Where the critical mass of scientist and engineers are trained, research-based enterprises are common. 

We have many Pharma companies in Ghana that are only interested in ready-to-market means of production (import of semi-finished products). And its true that LaGray Chemical Company is a very big exception. These companies are not interested in the longterm and audacious goals of a 10-15 years target-therapy projects that companies like Novartis is addicted to. This is not due to lack of resources but lack of interest, I have seen many Pharma companies in Ghana branch into fruit juice and mineral water production, which are quick and readily profitable. Once people with scientific temper take charge, the investments will follow them and not the other way around.

The GYA is the Global Young Academy - the voice for young scientist around the world. 

See the weblink: http://www.globalyoungacademy.net/

If you are a young scientist, under age 45, feel free to apply for membership. 

There is an open call now for membership.

"LaGray Chemicals Company in Nsawan, Ghana, does not seem to be involved in research-based pharmaceuticals although it is stated on their website that they are involved in drug discovery">>>>

I wish to confirm to you that they are indeed a vertically integrated Pharma Company. I have a standing collaboration with on discovery projects and they have many such research activities going on.

In addition to this, LaGray is the first company in Ghana to undertake API synthesis and they do this routinely. Whenever you are in Ghana please pay them a visit. I read their webpage and went over to have a discussion and the collaboration start right away.

There is the need for more funding and that is will bring more progress. 

Patrick Kobina Arthur, PhD