Where is the answer?

As Ghanaians consider and debate the right course to national development, I think a valid question that needs to be considered is, “where is the answer?” Of course to say the answer lies in only one aspect of our national life will be a lie, and a reduction of the myriad of our national problems to mere nothingness. However, in my opinion, if there should be one area that needs to be of the utmost priority to Ghana as we all seek to chart the right course to development, then that area should be education, and more specifically science education.

There is one question I have been trying to find answers to. I often wonder what we were doing as Africans during the days of the Industrial Revolution in Europe and the Americas. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, there had been wars in Europe, America, and of course in Africa. But in the 18th Century when the wars ceased in Europe and the Americas, the Industrial Revolution commenced, first in Britain and later spread to other parts of Europe and then to America. The Europeans and Americans began to invest in the natural thought process (science) and harnessed the enormous benefits of science. But during the same time period, Africa was still fighting wars. Consequently, the Europeans, who had developed the appropriate technology, came to Africa and managed to colonize the entire continent.

From the time of colonization, the Europeans continued to pursue science more earnestly in the historical era called the Enlightenment or the Age of Reason; Africans at that time were only content to receive alcoholic drinks from the enlightened Europeans. The historical period that followed the Enlightenment was the Slave Trade era which should be familiar to most of us.

Now let us fast forward to the 21st century. Absolutely nothing, or maybe very little, has changed. Africa is still in war; coups are still prevalent in our society; and specifically in Ghana, we still have ethnic clashes in portions of our country. Science education and investment in scientific research are just said by politicians to please their electorates. Now is the time; now is the time to seek answers in science. Science has great benefits to contribute to our national development. The examples from Europe and America, and more recently from parts of Asia like Japan and Singapore, are more than enough proof to show the potential of investing in science.

Now what is required is strong government and national commitment to pursue science and reap the benefits therein. A very important example is the waste problem faced by our nation. It is possible to deal with this problem and succeed in killing two birds with one stone. This is what I suggest: let us collect these waste products—both the organic and inorganic wastes—and from the waste collected generate energy that can be used to power the nation. By so doing, the country will be rid of the filth and parts of our energy problem would be solved.

Let me call on the leadership of this nation to dream, and not only to dream but to dream big. Let me challenge the leadership of this nation to be revolutionary in their pursuits, and also to take risks. The benefits may not be reaped today, but surely posterity will sing songs of praise to the forebears who pioneered eternal changes that brought happiness to the populace of the nation.

Credit: Arden Darko-Boateng; (Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY, USA)