President Mahama outlines government’s plans on science and technology
President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday outlined plans that government had initiated to improve and promote science and Technology in the country.
He said apart from instituting the first ever Science Congress, where the best Scientist was given a car as a prize, government had also provided 5000 scholarships to science students especially girls who were willing to pursue Science, Technology and Mathematics in tertiary institutions.
President Mahama said this during his contribution to the second Institute of Economic Affairs Presidential debate in Accra.
The debate which was also participated by Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Forster Abu Sakara, Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party and Mr Hassan Ayariga, Presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention was the last in the series before the December Polls.
President Mahama said government had distributed 66,000 laptop computers to students and would increase that distribution to ensure that they were conversant with the necessary skills that could spur the country into an advanced stage.
On management of the oil resources of the country, President Mahama said a number of legislations were underway to ensure that the benefits of oil and gas was maximized.
He said government had passed the Petroleum Management bill which was waiting Parliamentary approval, while the Local Content bill, which would increase the capacity of Ghanaians to participate in the oil and gas exploitation, was also underway to ensure maximum benefit to the country.
President Mahama said government was also encouraging the foreign companies to engage and maximize the participation of local companies.
He announced that government was also establishing the gas processing plant that would reduce the perennial importation of gas and its related products.
President Mahama said government would collaborate with neighbouring countries to fight against marine crime and make maximum benefits of the marine system in the country.
He said apart from providing the navy with seven new marine boats to execute their duties at the coastal areas, government was also training the police to operate marine vessels to complement the efforts of the navy.
President Mahama said outboard motors were also given to the fisherfolk to step up their operations to increase job creation in the country.
He denounced the perennial pollution of the seas and called on the public to desist from that practice as it could stifle all the efforts government was initiating to improve on living standards of people living along the coastal areas of the country.
On empowerment of women, President Mahama promised to set up a women endowment fund for women ready to take up political and responsible positions in society.
Source: GNA