Wednesday, November 21, 2012

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. 

Thursday, November 8, 2012

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/