Kumasi, June 23, GNA- A lecturer at the Department of Art Education of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has bemoaned the lack of creativity and imagination by many of the country's technocrats.

This situation, he said, had greatly stifled the socio-economic development of the country.

Dr Emmanuel Christian Nyarko, who made this assertion, said the country could no longer rely on the piece-meal research work by foreigners for the country's technological breakthrough and development to boost her economy.

He was speaking on the topic, "Art, The Engine of Growth of the Nation" as part of activities marking the Art Week celebration by the Visual Art Department of Kumasi Wesley Girls High School in Kumasi on Wednesday.

Dr Nyarko said the country was well endowed with natural resources and urged technocrats to team up with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to work out modalities to tap these potential. "We can wage an industrial revolution just as the Asian Tigers did to boost our trade if there is concerted effort to effectively integrate mechanical art and applied science."

Dr Nyarko called on a review and modification of art education at all levels of learning to enable the country to produce technocrats who would be capable of solving problems.

"Art education is the basis for bringing out the creativity in students and our education authorities should therefore be scientific in their approach to the subject to enhance our development." 23 June 05