Ghana gained Independence at the same time as Malaysia and many of the other so-called South-East-Asian Tiger nations; ever since it has been lagging behind, struggling to catch up in the race for development. Yet until we begin to take science and technology seriously in Ghana, we stand no chance of emulating these newly-enriched countries, according to Edward S Ayensu, Chairman of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, who says we are "joking as a country” without an effective science and technology strategy.

As one of the leading economies in West Africa, Ghana has a number of comparative advantages for scientific and technological development, which it has so far done little to promote, he says. The renowned professor, who is also President of the Pan-African Union of Science and Technology, is the author of Science, Technology and Society.

The book is a collection of Prof Ayensu's writings over the past two-and-a-half decades, during which he has consistently called for a more effective implementation and exploitation of science and technology in Africa.Speaking to The Statesman yesterday, Prof Ayensu said Ghana must come up with an effective and comprehensive national policy on science and technology, which continues to be sidelined by other issues. Science and technology deserves a ministry to itself, he said.

Currently, science falls under the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport; it was formerly part of the Ministry of Science and the Environment - but it has never warranted a ministry of its own, despite the fact many see science and technology to be the single most important element in our national development, and the “way out” of our current economic stagnation:

“The economics of 20th century industrial development has placed the Third World in a double bind,” according to Prof Ayensu. “Some have argued that if the Third World does not develop, it will be destroyed by poverty; and if it does develop, it will be destroyed by progress. A double bind is always such that it cannot be resolved on its own terms. The way out is to escape its terms. For Third World nations, information technology provides the escape.” The need for technological innovation in Ghana is obvious; the type of technological innovation we need, however, is a more difficult question to answer.

Prof Ayensu warns that technology must be used wisely, and is not always a force for good. He notes that “inappropriate technologies sow the seeds of their own failure; for example, moving people off land that does not produce enough food into cities that do not provide enough work.”

Technology must be suited to the needs of the people, who, when “trained and highly resourced,” are themselves the most valuable resource Ghana has. Technology does not necessarily mean that Ghana should attempt to become the next car-manufacturing Mecca; rather, that it should use science and technology to improve and expand upon current economic activity, and explore appropriate new avenues.

Prof Ayensu’s “agenda for the nation” includes a new focus on research and development in Ghana, to help grow the areas of comparative advantage we already have. A significant body of his book is dedicated to agricultural innovations and the need for more advanced farming methods. Ghana should exploit its position as the custodian of a substantial amount of the natural resources and raw materials needed by the developed countries in the industrialisation process.

“Since most developing countries depend upon agriculture for their subsistence, agricultural research and extension should be given the highest priority,” he argues. Cocoa yields in Cote d’Ivoire, per acre, are already significantly in excess of that produced in Ghana because of their superior farming methods. Malaysia makes around US$7 billion (¢65 trillion) every year, from palm oil alone – by applying modern scientific knowledge.

Another “comparative advantage” identified by Prof Ayensu is Ghana’s decentralised nature and lack of existing infrastructure in the way of established factories and work places.

“From my point of view,” he writes, “the science and technology of the 21st century may likely be the true appropriate technologies for developing societies – both North and South. The microprocessor [computer], for example, has the advantages of the windmill – cheap, simple, decentralised; and it needs almost no energy. But it is a machine that generates the winds of change.”

Already Ghana is benefiting from technological advances elsewhere – with the use of the internet, and the ever-expanding mobile phone network across Ghana, transforming the way our businesses are working. But in order for Ghana to see our own technology sector further develop along the lines of Malaysia or Singapore, a more comprehensive and proactive strategy is needed.

More advanced educational institutions, more focus on science teaching and training, and the resourcing of regional and international centres of excellence are suggestions to help equip Africa with the technological expertise it lacks.

Sam Somuah is a Ghanaian scientist, who like so many others has worked mostly outside the country. After achieving his PHD from the University of Ohio in the United States, Dr Somuah worked in research and development in the US and the Middle East for over 20 years.

Dr Somuah concurred with Prof Ayensu’s call for a national policy on science and technology. He was critical, however, of a continued research focus on agriculture and forestry, but called instead for Ghana to focus on “new” technologies such as the internet, telecommunications and genetic engineering.

“The focus of the CSIR has changed little in 30 years – but the world has changed a lot since then,” he said.Dr Somuah compared Ghana with the United States, where President Bush has a national science and technology policy advisor, who heads a national science and technology council to advise the federal government. He called for more consultation between Ghanaian government and scientific exports, and also for more incentives to encourage young Ghanaians into the field.

In the UK, students studying physics at university are given up to 1000 pounds (¢17.3 million) every year to encourage them to choose the subject. In China, there is a national quota: 40 percent of all university students must be studying a science subject.