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.
