By Solomon Gumah, GNA
Tamale, Sept. 24, GNA – The 34th Biennial Conference of the Ghana Science Association (GSA) opened in Tamale, to explore science-led solutions for national development.
The week-long conference is hosted by the Tamale branch of GSA and participants include scientists, technologists, policymakers, traditional and religious leaders, students amongst other stakeholders.
It is on the theme: “Leveraging Innovative Science to Strengthen Public-Private-Partnership for Sustainable Development in Ghana”.
It is supported by the Energy Commission, Petroleum Commission, Ghana Standards Authority, National Petroleum Authority, Ghana Chamber of Mines, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, News Corporation, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Pumptech Limited, and University for Development Studies.
Presentations at the conference would focus on sustainable agriculture innovations for food security, biomedical innovations for improved healthcare, environmental conservation, science education and policy, water resources management, and proactive public-private partnerships to support the “Reset Ghana” agenda.
Professor Gideon Kofi Helegbe, the Honourary National President of GSA, whose speech was read on his behalf by Dr Francis Addy, the National Secretary, at the opening of the conference, said the GSA had contributed significantly to the country’s development through scientific discourse and policy recommendations.
He mentioned some of the contributions including the establishment of the CSIR in 1968, the National Disaster Management Organisation in 1996, and Cocoa Day in 2005.
He said the 34th conference would go beyond issuing a communiqué to produce actionable policy briefs to support national development priorities.
Prof. Helegbe commended government for establishing the Ghana National Research Fund and said it should be fully resourced and operationalised to sustain quality research and innovation.
He called for deeper collaboration between government and the GSA in shaping science-informed policies emphasising that challenges such as illegal mining and flooding could be better managed with stronger partnerships.
He emphasised on the need to invest in science education to “catch them young” and create opportunities for young people to pursue research and innovation.
Mr Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, whose speech was read on his behalf by Hajia Shamima Muslim, the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, said the country’s development required bridging research and innovation with enterprise and governance.
He said “Science gives us the tools, industry provides the scale, and government creates the enabling environment. When these three forces align, we will build the Ghana we want together with transformation and shared prosperity.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering an ecosystem where science, technology, innovation, and private sector ingenuity converged to deliver sustainable solutions.
He said enabling policies and sustainable funding systems including the national research fund would be prioritised to support homegrown discoveries and breakthroughs.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/ Christabel Addo