The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Alumni Association (Teknokrats), has organised a biennial congress on “how to give real meaning to the vision of the university”.
KNUST was set up to propel the development agenda of Ghana and Africa.
It is part of the core business of Teknokrats to organise biennial congresses to discuss a broad range of issues covering the association, university, the nation and beyond.
The congress held at the Business School Auditorium from October 16- October 19, was on the theme: “Transforming Ghana’s Stunted Development through the appropriate application of Science and Technology: Teknokrats – Arise and Build”.
It was chaired by Oheneba Adusei Poku, Akyempemhene who represented, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene and Chancellor of KNUST.
The three-day congress, attended by Dr Kwame Saarah-Mensah, Acting Chairman, University Council, Professor William Otoo Ellis, Vice-Chancellor, Alumni National Council, Representatives of alumni chapters, and resource persons came up with an 11-point communiqué.
The communiqué signed by Tony Danklu, National President of Teknokrats said KNUST alumni should see themselves as agents of social and economic change and not just as professionals.
It said National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) should be depoliticised, made as independent and insulated against any political interference by law just as the Electoral Commission, while plans and programmes of development rolled out by the NDPC should be adhered to by successive government.
The communiqué said: There should be a science, technology and innovation development policy within the framework of National development plans.
Promotion and application of science and technology should be at the forefront of Ghana’s national development, while there is the urgent need to strengthen the teaching and learning of science at the basic level through re-introduction of special incentives to science teachers and students.
“In order to create the basic tools for rapid national development, well thought out policies should be formulated and implemented to support science, technology and innovation education and research.
“Science, technology and innovation should be applied towards solving specific national problems such as poverty and disease, unemployment and energy deficits among others.
“Policy makers should use local expertise when appropriate to drive science, technology and innovation in the national developmental process.
“Collaboration between academia and industry should be strengthened to help accelerate the overall development of the nation,” the communiqué said.
It said positive attitudes and patriotism should augment the application of science and technology for rapid national development.
“We the alumni of KNUST believe that, the implementation of this communiqué would catapult Ghana’s development and growth through the appropriate application of science, technology and innovation to where it truly ought to be,” the communiqué said.
