The Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Tuesday launched its Golden Jubilee celebration with a call for stronger political commitment to champion science and technology for development. Professor Emmanuel Owusu-Bennoah, Director-General of the CSIR, who made the call, said despite the impact of science and technology in every day life, budgetary allocation for the sector was low, hovering from 0.3 to 0.5 per cent annually. He said declarations made by African heads of state in 1980 and 2007 to allocate one per cent of their Gross Domestic Product to develop science and technology have also not been implemented. The Director-General said to get the needed commitment, CSIR intended to organise a Presidential debate this year to provide a forum for all flag bearers to spell out their visions and programmes on using science and technology as main catalyst for development. Speaking on the achievements of CSIR, Prof Owusu-Bennoah said the Institute together with its 13 affiliate research institutes had provided a strong basis through its technologies and innovations in food production, storage and agro-processing. Prof Owusu-Bennoah also mentioned the development of four new quality protein maize varieties, two cowpea varieties, germinated oil palm seeds in addition to mixed sex and all male tilapia fingerlings as some of its findings in agriculture sector. He said other industrial achievements included the development of the Pozzolana cement, production of glucose syrup from cassava flour for use in manufacturing of biscuits and confectionery and application of biogas for sanitation management. He indicated that through CSIR technologies, an excess of an estimated amount of over 50 million Ghana cedis worth of value was generated annually in the agriculture sector. The Director General expressed regret about the poor conditions of service for scientists in the country and called for improved conditions to encourage young professionals to work as scientists. He also pledged the commitment of management and staff to ensure that the CSIR worked hard to achieve its mandate. Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State for Education, Science and Sports, urged the Institute to be more proactive in providing policy makers with relevant information on the effects of their policies on science and technology. She also asked the Institute to publicize its achievements and findings to gain the needed recognition and appreciation for their work and periodically review their performance. Ms Ohene said government had established a Science and Technology Fund to support findings and projects and appealed to corporate bodies to contribute to the fund. Professor Emmanuel S. Ayensu, Chairman of the CSIR, urged the Institute to employ innovative ways and consider public private partnership to generate more funds. He also implored the CSIR to establish a world-class petroleum research institute to provide government with research information. “With such innovative initiatives, I can foresee the CSIR taking centre stage as a major catalyst in the development of most of the strategic sectors of the economy. The Institute used the occasion to outdoor its new mineral water known as “Sircool Mineral Water”. Source: GNA