University Of Ghana Hosts The Joint 2nd African Light Source (AFLS2) And Pan African Conference On Crystallography (PCCR2)

A group picture of officials after the event

The University of Ghana has hosted the Joint 2nd African light source (Afls2) and Pan African Conference on Crystallography (Pccr2). The Conference, which was under the theme “Crystallography: A Tool for Sustainable Development in Africa” took place at the Bank of Ghana Auditorium from 29th January –2nd February.

Prof. Kwame Offei, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Students Affairs, who delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, said he was delighted and grateful that many scholars had gathered at the University of Ghana to share knowledge and their experience in the discipline of light sources and crystallography.

Prof. Offei was optimistic that the discussions at the conference will lead to the scale up on the acquisition of the necessary infrastructure for an African Synchrotron Light source as the continent do not have a single light source infrastructure. He also noted that light source infrastructures are prime tools for scientific research and stimulating innovations, enhancing competitiveness for industries, development of skilled human capital and training of the new generation of young scientists.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor assured participants that the University of Ghana is committed to promoting science and technology education to the highest possible level. He mentioned that, the University of Ghana has recently acquired infrastructure capable of facilitating industrial research, hands-on experiment and demonstration to support the minerals and oil and gas industry on the continent.

Prof. Kwame Offei, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Students Affairs

His Excellency The President’s keynote address which was delivered by Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation was on the theme; Accelerating Africa’s Economic Growth and Industrial Competitiveness: the role of cutting-edge science, technology and its application.

According to the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, science and technology have played a major role in the rapid advancement of developed countries and the fact cannot be lost on Africans. He indicated that, it was imperative for African governments who desire to undertake a transformative agenda and eradicate poverty to allow science and technology to play a leading role in its economic transformation.

The President called for the need to have strong research linkages to help overcome the defects that has weakened the capacity of research and development institutions such as the Universities and research centres in responding to the needs of industry. In view of that, he gave an assurance that, the government will do everything possible to help bridge the gap between research and industry to ensure that constraints industry are directly addressed through demand-driven research development. He indicated that the government was considering the review of the national budgetary allocation to science and technology research from a current 0.05% to 1% of the country’s GDP, a requirement of the Comprehensive African Development Programme.

The President was optimistic that the African Light Source will contribute significantly to the African Science Renaissance, the return of the African Science Diaspora, enhancement of university education, the training of new generation of young researchers, the growth of competitive African industries and the advancement of research that addresses issues, challenges and concerns relevant to Africa.

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo pledged his government’s support to champion the African Light Source initiative and make it an official project of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as well as advocate multilateral relationships between the world’s light sources and various AU member states, along with their universities, research institutions and commercial industries.

The Chair of the African Light Source Project, Prof. Simon Connell, said the Light source was the most common and important resource of the African continent which is useful in a wide variety of areas. Prof. Simon Connell stated that the achievement of the African Lighthouse will make Africa a scientific hub.

Prof. Simon Connell hinted that, the road map for the maiden African Light Source was in progress and would yield solid results. According to him, the road map relates to developing the user base, the projects, deep capacity building, promoting networks, scientific and technical exchanges, building associated local infrastructural capacity, raising the profile of the project politically and developing the Pan African strategic plan with African leadership.

Chair of the African Light Source Project, Prof. Simon Connell

There were statements from Prof. Michelle Zema, Representative of the International Union of Crystallography and Professor Gilberto Artioli, IOC Chair, Pan African Crystallography Conference.

Prof. Michelle Zema, Representative of the International Union of Crystallography

Professor Gilberto Artioli, IOC Chair, Pan African Crystallography Conference.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Robert Kingsford-Adaboh, Acting Dean of the School of the Physical and Mathematical Sciences, in opening remarks indicated that Africa needed to accelerate its development through emerging science and enumerated the numerous benefits of the use of Light Sources and Crystallography claiming it was beneficial in many fields.

Also, in his closing, Prof. Robert Kingsford-Adaboh noted that the University was on track in improving science and technology. He further commended the government for supporting science and technology which he opined is the backbone of development.  

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Robert Kingsford-Adaboh, Acting Dean of the School of the Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Pupils from University Basic School and Preset Pacesetters School attended the Opening Ceremony.  After the official opening ceremony, Professor Frimpong-Boateng interacted with the pupils for over forty minutes, encouraging them on the need to take science seriously, and responding to a number of questions from them.  Even though this side event was an informal session, it was very lively and interactive as Prof. Frimpong-Boateng engaged the pupils with passion.  The pupils and other officials and participants later had a photo session with Prof. Frimpong-Boateng.

Present at the opening of the conference were, Prof. Kwesi Yankah, Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Prof. Daniel Kwadwo Asiedu, Provost, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, and some members of the diplomatic corps.

The conference was under the auspices of the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Light Sources for Africa, Asia, Americas and the Middle East project (LAAAMP), and the African Academy of Sciences.  The local partners were the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) and the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Mrs. Maamie Hutchful-Nortey giving the vote of thanks

 

A group picture with pupils of the University Basic School after the event

 

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