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/
