In this series of articles, we shall be identifying problems facing the development of Science and Technology in Ghana and attempt to propound solutions to them.
Science is a branch of knowledge that discovers facts about repeated occurrences (whether in nature or in the laboratory) and formulates theories and laws on them. Technology on the other hand is the utilization of these laws to make devices that enhance our living standards or enable us to do more science. In most cases, Science and Technology go hand- in-hand but a strong scientific base is needed for technological advancement.
The importance of Science and Technology cannot be over emphasized. Science and Technology is one of the key paths for rapid economic development and industrialization of any country. Science and Technology allows for the country’s natural resources to be processed in good quantities before exported as value added good (industrialization and commercialization). Science and Technology brings innovation such as discovery of a drug which treats diseases with unmet medical needs or equipment for performing difficult tasks. These innovations (including the processed raw materials) can be exported for foreign exchange, which in turn improves the standards of living of the people of the country and is good way of transforming developing nations like Ghana into the middle income economy or higher.
But Science and Technology is not a natural resource of any country. This resource can be developed or acquired with determination and commitment from governments and policy implementers. When we obtained independence in 1957, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah announced plans for moving Ghana rapidly into middle income economy – by developing the Science and Technology capability and capacity of Ghana. Subsequently he established several research bodies and built infrastructure to see to the implementation of Science and Technology development in Ghana. But most of the institutions/infrastructure he put in place did not benefit much from his foresight as he was overthrown shortly afterwards. Notwithstanding, subsequent governments of Ghana have made modest additions (over approximately 40 years) to the existing infrastructure and institutions for Science and Technology development but the impact has hardly been felt. This is because we are still faced with problems of the primitive technology era such as:
1. Frequent power outages
2. Dependence on rain-fed agriculture and use of hoes, machetes for farming
3. Lack of capacity to process raw materials including maize, cassava, tomatoes and the like
4. Poor health care
5. Heavy dependence on imported goods including food, second-hand clothing and shoes
6. Many parts of the country are still underdeveloped and live in darkness
7. Lack of creativity among many science graduates
8. Dependence on cement for building, with hardly any alternatives
…….Just to mention a few.
What is surprising is that, the problems confronting science and technology in Ghana especially in the 21st century is not different from many an African country and so the question arises as to what African countries consciously or unconsciously do similarly to slow down the development of science and technology? It may not be possible to know all the facts at least from my standpoint of view, but what many African governments share in common among others is that, their countries:
1. Do not have systematic policy for Science and Technology development
2. Have a very small fraction of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) set aside for Science and Technology development
3. Are not developing and adapting appropriate technology – ‘approtech’ for their economies
4. Are not sharing information in Science and Technology with other African countries
5. Are not building common science research centers for African development
6. Do not have right caliber and number of human resources to teach science
7. Teach science without the necessary creativity and lab work to back it
8. Have high illiteracy and poverty rates making Science and Technology an abstract discipline
9. Are not attracting their citizens who have been scientifically trained in developed countries
If it is the commitment of the government and people of Ghana to transform the country from low income into the middle income economy in the near future, then it is imperative that we make Science and Technology a major resource for Ghana. Because irrespective of the amount and number of natural resources we have, without Science and Technology we can never truly benefit from such resources. In the next few articles we shall attempt to examine the situation further and look at areas that can help improve and develop Science and Technology in Ghana/Africa.
there is the need for technology revolution. I know Science and tech you’re talking about is different but they’ll serve the same purpose. when people have access to information, it is difficult for politians to take them for granted, look at Tunsia and Egypt
There’s one single problem that if we can solve, we’ll see significant investment in Sci and tek by foreign companies. And that is ‘Frequent Power Outages’ that the author mentioned. It’s a big disincentive to any foreign company if they cannot be assure of regualr power supply
we really need to start teaching science and technology from primary so advanced stuff can be taught at the universities. primary children must be pushed to undertake their own science projects so they can start inventing at the university. Africa and education? we can surely get there with action. professional lecturers not amateurs, good labs, and jobs after school. more equipments and funds.
Abraham made a good point. I hope the author addresses this in future series. We have to have national science agenda, Ecowas sceicne agenda and a continental. Our leader must come togather to establish a system.
Again we cannot progress in science & tech by just reading 1960 text books with no lab work. We need an equal amount of time in the lab for equal amount of time spend in classroom. In my school in the UK, it is even more time in the lab, less in classroom
I hope the author address the problem above in future series
A problem that needs to be addressed is the need for a SYSTEM. Science Technology and Innovation is still happening separately across Africa, we are still not having a system that works, so we need to start building national system of science technology and innovation. They have to work hand in hand and regionally integrated
“Do not have right caliber and number of human resources to teach science”
I consider this perhaps the major problem. You reap what you sow. Some of the science teachers in high schools and even universities need some additional help to come to terms with current state of the art of science and how it affects every day life in order to teach students to appreciate that. And governments needs to adopt policies to attract and retain such resources
We all see and sometimes complain about China, Korea and some Asian countries dominate the world economics. But it is becuase they made Sci/Tec thier priority. We can get there, but not by just hoping. Schools and curricula need to be reformed to make Sci/Teck a top priorty