Hot!
Scientists and innovators, key to Ghana’s development – Prof Alex Dodoo
Ghana needs deliberate efforts by scientists and innovators to turn the economy around if it hopes be like other developed countries.
The Director-General, Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Prof Alex Dodoo who made the call said the way was to create jobs through industrialisation to improve the wellbeing of the citizenry.
He was speaking at the standardisation, certification and conformity assessment workshop held in Accra under the theme: “advancing standards and certification in research and innovation: Building a symbolic relationship with regulators and a culture of standards among researchers and innovators.”
Brought together by Heritors in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research with support from RISA Fund and FCDO, he charged relevant stakeholders in the innovation cycle to work together as a team not in silo.
“There is the need for symbolic relationship between service providers, researchers and innovators in promoting adherence to standards and pursuing certification as first option in product and innovation development” he stated.
Prof Dodoo said countries that have transitioned from underdevelopment thrived on the back of deliberate policies that utilised the application of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for development.
“Throughout history, major transformative shifts in countries growth and development trajectories have often been linked with the successful application of STI.
“The experience of successful developing countries shows that STI policies that are well integrated into national development strategies and combined institutional and organisational changes can help raise productivity, improve firm competitiveness, support faster growth and above all create jobs,” he said.
Buttressing his views, the Deputy Director –General of CSIR Marian Quain reiterated the Council’s vision to use the transforming power of STI for wealth creation and the mission to become the force for accelerated social and economic development of Ghana through examing , exploring and creating science and Technology catalysts for public and private wealth creation.
Innovation she said defined by the Oslo Manual 1 of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as “the implementation of a new or significantly improved product (good or service) or process, a new marketing method, or a new organizational method in business practices, workplace organization or external relations.”
“Research is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions and is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings.”
“Adherence to standards and certification are therefore critical to ensure quality and acceptance of the results generated from Research and Innovations. This provides client confident in an ecosystem of modernization” she stated.
The Chief Executive of Heritors Lab, Derrydean Dadzie said the reality of the situation, was that STI have not kept pace with population growth to create the needed jobs, saying “the investments Ghana has made in STI have not commensurate impact in terms of jobs, economic emancipation and national development.”
He told Ghanaian scientists to be bold to confront the government and stand up to be counted by moving from their comfort zone.
“Ghanaian scientists and technologists must also to take-up the challenge of using Ghanaian science, academic expertise, raw materials, and professionals to build appropriate social infrastructural, energy and services to propel economic growth” he stated.
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
The Dzidula Pink Foundation, a new organisation dedicated to cancer awareness, early detection, and patient support, has been officially launched in Accra, with a passionate call for national commitment to fighting the disease. The launch event, held last week Friday, carried the theme: “Beyond the diagnosis: A future of restoration, care and courage.”
Speaking at the event, Madam Abena Brigidi, founder and CEO of Nimed Capital Limited, emphasised that cancer remains one of the most devastating health challenges facing families across the country. “Cancer does not discriminate—it affects mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. It drains families emotionally and financially, and behind every statistic is a human story and a future suddenly thrown into uncertainty,” she said.
Sharing her personal encounters with cancer, having lost both her husband and father to the disease, Madam Brigidi highlighted the emotional, financial, and physical scars left behind. “I stand here not just as a speaker, but as a witness to what cancer can take away,” she stated. “I have watched loved ones fight bravely, and I have felt the deep pain that loss leaves behind.”
She stressed that awareness and early detection are critical to reducing deaths, noting that many Ghanaians still lack access to proper screening, reliable information, and adequate treatment. She appealed to healthcare professionals, corporate institutions, policymakers, the media, and the general public to join hands in the fight. “Early detection saves lives. Your support today can lead to someone’s healing tomorrow,” she said.
Madam Brigidi further called for collective responsibility to sustain the foundation’s mission. “To our medical professionals, we need your expertise. To corporate partners, your resources. To the media, your voice. To policymakers, your support. And to the public, your compassion,” she urged. She also insisted that breast cancer awareness should not be limited to annual campaigns, saying, “Breast cancer awareness must not be seasonal.”
Mrs Diana Fafa Gozo, founder of the Dzidula Pink Foundation, shared her own cancer journey, describing the shock of diagnosis, the fear that followed, and the difficult path through treatment. Her experience transformed her pain into purpose and inspired her to create a foundation to ensure no cancer patient walks alone.
Mrs Gozo explained that many patients struggle not only with treatment costs but also with emotional resilience. She outlined the foundation’s initiatives, which include awareness and early detection campaigns, patient support funds, community outreach, and survival support circles. “This foundation is my offering of gratitude, courage, and compassion and a reminder that no one should walk the cancer journey alone,” she concluded.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says it will deploy teams of Public Health Officers, members of its Sanitation Taskforce, and labourers, including sweepers and janitors, across all sub-metros to support the third National Sanitation Day exercise.
It explained that these teams will be equipped with waste collection trucks, tippers, and other tools to help with desilting, refuse collection, and transporting waste to approved disposal sites.
The AMA reminded residents that failing to comply with the sanitation directive or refusing to participate in communal labour is an offence.
It said offenders risk a fine of up to 100 penalty units, imprisonment between 30 days and six months, or both, with repeat offenders liable to additional daily penalties.
It urged all residents, traders, transport operators, market women, shop owners, landlords, tenants, and businesses to actively participate in the exercise.
The AMA said it counts on everyone’s collective responsibility to keep Accra clean, liveable, and resilient, especially as the city approaches Christmas and the New Year.
By: Jacob Aggrey
