Harness science, innovation for SDGs attainment - Prof. Helegbe urges govt
The Ghana Science Association (GSA) has called on the government to leverage science and innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The President of the association, Professor Gideon Kofi Helegbe, pointed out that it was only through deliberate investment in scientific research and innovation that the country could overcome mounting challenges such as food insecurity, climate crisis, environmental degradation, and inadequate health care while driving inclusive national development.
“Science must no longer be treated as an afterthought in national policy but as the very foundation of our economic resilience and sustainable development,” he stated.
Conference
Prof. Helegbe made the call in a speech read on his behalf by the General Secretary of GSA, Dr Francis Abby, at the opening ceremony of the 34th Biennial Conference of the GSA in Tamale on Tuesday.
The three-day conference, which is being held on the theme: “Leveraging Innovative Science to Strengthen Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) for Sustainable Development in Ghana”, brought together scientists, technologists, policymakers, students and industry leaders to deliberate on how science and innovation can drive Ghana’s sustainable development.
Research fund
In his address, Prof. Helegbe lauded the government for setting up the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF) but urged its swift operationalisation and adequate resourcing.
Looking to the future, he stressed the need to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and innovation, saying, “we must catch them young. By investing in science education and creating opportunities for young people to engage in research, we build a strong foundation for our nation’s future development”.
He said although climate change was threatening agriculture and food security, there was inadequate investment in research to respond effectively.
He also stressed that GSA remained an untapped national resource, with experts in diverse fields who can help tackle challenges such as illegal mining and flooding around the Volta Lake.
He said, “Some of these issues could have been avoided, minimised, or better managed if an effective government-GSA partnership existed because we have all the expertise”.
Prof. Helegbe indicated that the outcome of the conference would be forwarded to appropriate stakeholders for possible consideration and implementation to enhance national development.
National transformation
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, emphasised that science was the bedrock of every national transformation.
He said Ghana stood at a critical juncture of its development and that the solutions to the country’s most pressing challenges were deeply rooted in science, technology and innovation.
He further expressed the government’s commitment to making science a hub of national progress, adding that plans were underway to establish a national biopharmaceutical factory to boost local production of drugs, reduce dependency on imports, and create jobs.
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