Dr Thomas Mensah, the Ghanaian who revolutionised fibre optics technology, is pushing for a paradigm shift in Ghana which will make the country one of the leaders in technology and development in the world.

The man, whose monumental breakthrough in fibre optics technology birthed companies like Google and Facebook, says Ghana has more than what it takes to be a world leader in technology and development.

Dr Mensah’s works are in fields relating to the development of fibre optics and nanotechnology. He has 14 patents, 7 of which were awarded within six years. He was inducted into the US National Academy of Inventors in 2015.

In 2017, Dr Mensah served as Editor-in-Chief of the international textbook Nanotechnology Commercialization published by AIChE and John Wiley & Sons. 

Read: Dr Thomas Mensah's full profile here.

He strongly believes that if countries like the US, China and others could embrace technology and grow, Ghana could do same.

Dr Mensah says the construction of a bullet train in Ghana, for example, has the potential to revolutionise Ghana’s economy.

“…I don’t want to do all these technologies and leave Ghana behind…what Ghana needs, right now, this is so important, is a high-speed bullet train,” he said.

The bullet train, which will cost about $2 billion, he notes, will get children selling on the streets back into school.

“This bullet train, all the 90% of the one-district-one-factory is along the route of the train,” Dr Mensah revealed.

“I want to see that this innovation start here so beyond the bullet train, I will be doing something called the Silicon Valley of the south. I have that already in America but I will be doing the Silicon Valley of Ghana.”

The celebrated inventor disclosed that he will set up Ghana’s version of Silicon Valleys in Prampram (Greater Accra), Cape Coast (Central region), Kumasi (Ashanti region), and Tamale (Northern region).

According to him, the four Silicon Valleys of Ghana “will be developing advanced things just like they do in America.”

Dr Thomas Mensah’s new book, ‘The Right Stuff Comes in Black Too’ was launched at the City Escape Hotel in Accra on Thursday.

The book captures the inspiring story of how Dr Thomas Mensah’s innovation ignited the modern-day internet’s explosive growth.

He notes in the book that one’s race has nothing to do with the person’s ability to impact the world.

Watch the video below for the innovative plans Dr Thomas Mensah wants to use to change the fortunes of Ghana: