Young Ghanaian Scientists hold consultative forum
A Young Scientist Consultative forum has taken place in Accra aimed at facilitating the formation of the Ghana Young Academy (GhYA) to be affiliated to the Global Young Academy.
A 12-member interim Committee of young scientists and researchers has been selected to formulate processes towards fashioning out a legal blueprint towards the establishment of the GhYA.
It intends to help catalyse international research collaborations amongst young scientists globally and again build bridges between young scientists in developed and developing countries to promote the expansion of research capacity and the dual directional exchange of best practices in science policy and education.
The overall objective of this programme is to strengthen the collaboration between scientists (young and senior) and science organisations nationally and around the globe to work on scientific and regional issues; and increase the visibility of young scientists to their global peers through the GhYA as well as the general scientific community.
The meeting was at the instance of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) and supported by the Royal Society Pfizer African Academies Programme.
Currently, GYAs have been established to maximize its impact through links with National Young Academies (NYAs) around the world including Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Egypt, Uganda and Zimbabwe with many more countries currently in the process of creating young academies.
Professor Francis Allotey, President of GAAS, said the consultative meeting is to redeem a promise of facilitating an affiliation with GYA knotted on strengthening collaboration between scientists irrespective of age as well as partnering with science organizations nationally and internationally.
He said the groundbreaking exercise would recognise and encourage outstanding and promising mid-career young scientists; at the same time leveraging the connections of GAAS to initiate discussions between young scientists and policymakers, business leaders and media representatives.
“We welcome you to embrace it, own it, and make it transform the public’s way of seeing, understanding and commenting on issues that affect science and its development.”
Prof Allotey expressed gratitude to the Royal Society Pfizer African Academies programme for making funds available for organizing the young academy and other support towards addressing the development challenges facing Ghana and Africa, generally.
“The concept when fully operational could provide peer-to-peer help for young scientists, a platform to create opportunities for better solutions to local, national, regional and international challenges as well as stimulate visibility and recognition,” says Prof Ralph Mills-Tettey, Honorary Secretary of GAAS.
He said its positive attributes could help reverse the “brain drain” phenomena into brain circulation, spark interest in next generation of young people to pursue science as a career and deepen networking.
Prof Reginald F. Amonoo, immediate past President of GAAS, said GAAS would counsel and mentor the emerging young researchers towards making them top-notch nationally and internationally.
He said academic excellence would not be sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity and sub-standard work, hence the perception of Fellows operating a “secluded elitist group,” only seeking the exclusion of determined scientists and researchers.
Prof Amonoo said the young scientists’ academy would not shelve high standards but could engineer into its processes practical flexibility.
The Consultative meeting unanimously appointed Dr Augustine Ocloo as its interim chair. The steering committee has three months within which to submit its report.
Source: GNA