Invest in technology, innovation - Adwoa Safo

The Minister of State in charge of Public Procurement, Ms Sarah Adwoa Safo, has charged African leaders to take drastic measures to invest heavily in technology and innovation to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She urged them to particularly focus on supply chain sector to derive the benefits needed to guarantee sustainable development for the next generation.

“This is the time to collectively rise as a continent to bring innovation through science and technology to properly and effectively manage the Supply Chain of both Public and Private Sectors. That way, our economies will flourish and the future of our next generation will be protected,” she said.

Ms Safo, who is also the Deputy Majority Leader of Parliament, made the call when she addressed the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) annual national conference which was held in Livingstone, Zambia last Thursday.

She spoke on the theme: ‘Promoting Ethical Procurement Practice through Good Governance and Sustainable Development’.

Ghana's policy framework

Ms Safo said Ghana had developed a new policy framework on technology and innovation to drive the implementation of its sectorial policies, programmes and strategies at all sectors of the economy.

For instance, she said the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had established a Presidential Advisory Council on Science, Technology and Innovation (PACSTI) to advise him on such issues and ensure the full implementation of the policy.

“Government as part of this policy will establish the Ghana Innovation and Research Commercialisation Centre that will serve as the bridge between the government and public research institutions, academia on one hand and industry on the other. The centre will establish incubation centres with basic facilities that our innovators will need to compliment the work of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovations Plan (NEIP). Another pillar of this policy is the creation of a Fund for Research and Development on Science, Technology and Innovation.

"The most crucial pillar of this policy is promoting the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at all levels of the nation’s educational system. It is important to note that this compliments the Presidents’ Free Senior High School policy where basic through Senior Education in Ghana has been made free in all regions of Ghana,” she noted.