NDC To Build Nation On Science, Technology — Mahama

The next government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will set up a Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) to promote the study of science towards national development.

The fund will finance research activities in universities, other research institutions and for graduate research projects as a first step in the industrial development of Ghana, the party has revealed in Accra.

Science and technology would also be the focal point in all fields of national endeavour, Mr John Dramani Mahama, NDC Vice-Presidential candidate, made these known during an interaction with scientists, researchers and industrialists at which he spelt out the party's science agenda for the nation.

The interaction took place under the theme: "Vision for Science, Technology and Innovation for Development of Ghana — the Role of CSIR," and was hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

It wasa platform to allow for interaction and for the NDC presidential candidate to explain details of the party's manifesto in the area of science and technology.

Mr Mahama said the government of Professor John Evans Atta Mills would institute an annual Science Congress as well as establish Science and Technology Theme Parks in Cape Coast and on the Akwapim Ridge.

He said the parks which would be equipped with world-class facilities for electronics, precision engineering, Information, Communication and Technology and bio-technology, would be linked up with the universities to work out solutions for specific problems.

The NDC Vice-Presidential Candidate, flanked by Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, Vice-Chairman; Dr Christine Amoako-Nuamah, former Minister of Science and Technology, and other leading members of the party said an NDC government would also promote science and technology the study of science from the primary, to the tertiary level.

"We will also restore the vacation workshops for second cycle girls aspiring to careers in science and technology and have them addressed by women who have been high achievers in these areas."

Mr Mahama said the next NDC government would fully implement the Traditional Medicine Practice Act (Act 575), ensure the integration of traditional medicine into the health service and resource the Mampong Centre for Research into Plant Medicine to serve as a link between traditional and orthodox medicines.

He said the government would set aside two per cent of the GETFund to provide need-based bursaries and scholarships for tertiary level students in pure and applied mathematics, science and technology.

"President John Evans Atta Mills will also push for rapid development of the country's ICT infrastructure, including the establishment of a reliable national backbone with capacity to carry high-speed voice, video, data and Internet facilities to all districts.”

"President Mills will promote the use of ICT in governance, networking the presidency, ministries, departments and agencies to improve communication and to eliminate the loss of man-hours spent on tonnes of paperwork and transfer of documentation", Mr Mahama stated.

Dr A. B. Salifu, CSIR Director-General, said the platform formed the basis for the institute's golden jubilee celebration, stressing that science and technology were central to wealth creation and improving the lives of the people.