Ghana's development policies will no longer depend on foreign aid – Akufo-Addo

Company News of Monday, January 21, 2019

Source: 3news.com

2019-01-21

According to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ghana's development policies will no longer depend on the support of the advanced world.

He observed that the excessive dependence on foreign aid has not worked for Ghana over the years and that it would not work.

Addressing a conference on bridging the technological divide at Peduase Valley Resort on Monday, President Akufo-Addo said it was time for Ghana to develop policies that would make the country autonomous, less dependent on capital, technology and foreign influence.

That is the vision of his administration, said the president.

"It is important to say that we can no longer continue to develop policies for our country on the basis of any support that the technologically advanced world can bring us. It has not worked and it will not work, "said President Akufo Addo.

He spoke under the theme: "Bridging the technology gap towards" Ghana beyond help "and youth employment."

The President said his vision of "Ghana Beyond Help" was to build a strong and robust economy, capable of generating a dignified and prosperous existence for its people and to ban the scepter of poverty.

He said his administration, through the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, had developed a seven-pillar science and technology framework.

This political agenda, said the president, will help bridge the technological gap between Ghana and the rest of the world.

He mentioned science, technology and innovation as the first pillar that he believes will hold the government's constant focus.

As a result, the President established a Presidential Council on Science, Technology and Innovation (PASTI) as an advisory body to advise the President on issues related to science, technology and technology. technology and innovation.

The second, he said, is a coordination of all sectoral activities involving science, technology and innovation through an interdepartmental coordination council on science, technology and technology. # 39; innovation.

The third pillar, according to the president, is the recognition of the need for a strong partnership between the government, public research institutes, academia and science and industry.

In addition, it is planned to mobilize significant funds for research and development. Thus, a minimum of 1% of Ghana's GDP will be allocated to research and development in the short and medium term and will increase to 2.5% in the long term.

The government should also aim for a more literate society through education, he said.

The sixth pillar is that legislation relating to the country's science, technology and innovation program must receive legal support. To this end, a bill is being drafted and will be submitted to Parliament for approval.

The focus is also on the development of strategic technology areas. Critical technical areas critical to the country's development will be targeted.

The president of the Ghana Institute of Engineers, Steve Amoaning-Yankson, emphasized in his welcome address that the foreign expertise that came to the country to propose technological solutions that could be managed locally by Ghanaians was to be interrupted if the country really wanted to bridge the technological gap. between her and the rest of the world.

The conference was organized by MasterCard Foundation in collaboration with the Ghana Institution of Engineers and the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.