Women scientists must go into politics —Former Presidential Advisor

Former Presidential Advisor in the Mills administration is encouraging women scientists to venture into politics.

Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah says their participation will influence policy formulation and implementation in the field.

 “When decisions are taken and you’re not at the table you’ll not get women scientists’ perspective into whatever discussion. It’s not that policy makers don’t want to include certain things but sometimes it’s a discussion of how much goes where, also about juggling priorities. There is not enough resources to go around so the more of us that are represented, right from the district assembly level all the way up, works,” she points out.

Dr. Amoako-Nuamah spoke at the 25th anniversary of the Ghana Chapter of Organization for Women in Science for Developing World (OWSD) in Kumasi.

She urged members to overcome fear of insults that come with politics. “You don’t want to be insulted, who wants to be insulted,” she questioned.

Development planner, Prof Rudith King, called for speedy implementation of the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy. She said it will speed up efforts to attain the Sustainable Development Goals which according to her requires funding to achieve.

Prof King stressed the need for an academia-industry collaboration to translate research works into business ideas and initiatives.

President of Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Ghana (WiSTEM Gh) Professor Ibok Oduro wants children to be exposed to science early as a means to develop their interest in the field.

“Science should begin at home because it’s the place where minds are formed. Everything that happens at home has a science component to it,” she observes.

 OWSD has been working for women scientists in the developing world for over a quarter of a century. It began as an idea at a conference in 1988 which saw the participation of 218 leading women scientists from sixty-three developing countries.

The Ghana Chapter was established after the return of founding members. One of them is foundation Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Prof Esi Ewuah says the celebration of the 25th anniversary of OSWD is being used as a platform to revive the local chapter.

The organization has so far offered scholarship to 18 Ghanaian women for postgraduate studies. A representative from OSWD Secretariat, Erin Johnson, said the programme has expanded its scope.

It now includes early career scientist and awards for young female scientists to carry out research and conference travels.

“We’re also trying to recognize women who are a little bit advanced in their careers,” she emphasized. Source: myjoyonline.com