Professor Francis K.A. Allotey, Director of Institute of Mathematical Sciences, has called for a linkage between industry, universities and research centres to produce the required manpower to lead the country’s transformation and development agenda. He said this would expose as well as adequately equip graduates with the requisite knowledge on the demands and challenges of industry to enable them respond effectively. Prof. Allotey made the call at a session dubbed Africa Next Knowledge Brokerage (ANKB) conversation on "A Political Economy of Ghanaian Innovation” with Prof. Allotey and Prof. Knud Skouby in Accra. It was to recognise the contributions and achievements of Professor Allotey to the development of mathematics and science in the country and the world at large, and Professor Skouby, Director of Copenhagen Institute of Technology for the development of faculty and academic courses in especially public universities in Ghana. Prof. Allotey said the current situation portrayed a disconnection between industry and institutions of higher learning and research centres leaving graduates unemployed. The mathematics and science Scholar and a Former Pro Vice Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, called for investment in science education. “Ghana should fund research into specific areas to enhance development, and guarantee sustainable development because it gives knowledge and know-how, essential tools to unlocking opportunities,” he said. Prof. Allotey called for a paradigm shift in the training of graduates which must be mathematically-driven to inculcate a sense of curiosity among graduates to ginger them to become creative and innovative. He said a major hindrance to the country’s development was the assertion that children should not be inquisitive but urged parents to allow their children to explore and take risks, adding “some of those risks may turn out to be fortunes for the individual and nation”. Professor Skouby challenged Ghanaian universities to produce high level manpower in computer sciences to enhance development. He said Ghana lacked enough PhD holders in computer sciences, and could boast of less than 10, a situation which was not good enough to drive her technology development agenda. Mr Gaddy Laryea, Managing Director of MMRS Ogilvy, an advertising agency and Mr Kofi Ansah, a renowned Ghanaian Creative Fashion Designer, who were interveners at the session, expressed optimism that the Ghanaian youth could excel when given the needed assistance. They proposed the establishment of an entrepreneurial fund to support young entrepreneurs to put their ideas into viable ventures. Dr Amos Anyimadu, Coordinator of ANKB moderated the session. Source: GNA