Accra will on Saturday 14th April join the global March for Science to demand immediate measures to reduce poverty in Ghana and protect the environment.

Scientists and well-meaning people in more than 700 cities all over the world are embarking on a global march for science to draw attention to the need for science based evidence in policy formulation. The march is an annual event which was first held on Mother Earth Day on 22nd April last year.

In Ghana, the 2018 Accra March for Science will be on the theme; "Building Ghana: Let's end environmental destruction and poverty through science informed actions," a statement from local organisers Alliance for Science (AfS) Ghana said.

“We chose this theme to drum home the point that unless government prioritises science by investing a lot more in technological research, and begin to adopt the outcome of research works by scientists when making policy decisions, there is no way we will succeed in ending poverty in our country,” the statement signed by Executive member of AfS Ghana Reuben Nana Yaw Quainoo.

“We also want to draw attention to the fact that there is direct correlation between protecting our environment from degradation and ending poverty,” the statement added.

The march will draw attention to Sustainable Development Goal 1 which aims to end poverty in all its forms, goal 2 which seeks to end hunger and achieve food security, and goal three to combat climate change and its impacts.

“There is a direct correlation between scientific investments in science, ensuring the technologies reach farmers, and poverty reduction. That is why we are marching to draw attention to that link and encourage the prioritsation of science and technology.

We calling on all science loving Ghanaians to step out for this march and support this just course,” the statement concluded.

Alliance for Science Ghana says the march will start at the premises of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR near 37 Military Hospital at 6am on Saturday, then the marchers will walk to Christ the King Church near Flagstaff House, then to Lands Commission office near 37 station, to 37 station to Opeibia Junction and back to CSIR Premises at 37.

Upon return, a forum will be held for a 45 minute forum during which various speakers will address the crowd on various aspects of the themes mentioned above.