LAGOS: Ghana's government has committed to providing adequate funding to strengthen science and technology research in the country for effective development. Sherry Ayittey, the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology reaffirmed this over the weekend, at the opening ceremony of the Leverhulme-Royal Society Africa Award Meeting, organized by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) in Accra. She stated that the government aims to fulfill the allocation of one percent of Gross Domestic Product to research in science and technology. Ayittey said the event would provide a platform for discussions on intellectual property in academic research in Ghana and Tanzania. The objective is also to develop and maintain excellence in science in both countries and to strengthen the research and training capacity of African institutions. The Minister said the Society received 45 applications at the close of the first round of applications for 2011, 25 of which came from Ghana. She said that the Ministry was satisfied with the massive interest shown by young Ghanaian scientists. She disclosed that the Government had “succeeded in effectively initiating the necessary physical and paperwork, which culminated in the establishment of two science-based universities in the country.” The Minister congratulated GAAS for its collaboration with the Ministry, to enhance and expand the public's understanding and appreciation of science by instituting the best science journalist award. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/movpA Tags: Ghana, IT, Reseach, Science Section: Tech, West Africa
