Scientists must engage in politics to inform debate on technology and influence policies *Share** Bookmark Print<http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/Scientists-must-engage-in-politics-to-influence-policies/-/440808/1750282/-/view/printVersion/-/4h86vaz/-/index.html> Rating * * * * By OTHIENO JOSEPH Posted Tuesday, April 16 2013 at 19:27* * *
*In Summary* - *West Africans were smelting and forging iron as early as 1200BC from where this technology spread to the rest of the globe.* * * *SHARE THIS STORY* * * * * * * * 0 inShare * ** * * *Both the Millennium Development Goals and Kenya’s Vision 2030 are anchored on science and technology. * * * *Emerging human, animal and crop diseases, global warming, climate change and challenges of the information society can only find logical conclusion in scientific research. Though science transcends politics, it is controlled by prevailing political realities, which means that actors in science and technology must secure a niche in politics.* * * *Africa offered fertile grounds for the birth of modern scientific innovations. The Timbuktu manuscripts have shown that mathematics and astronomy principles were developed in Africa. The modern calendar owes its origin to the space investigations in the African stargazing practice to set the seasons that informed social and economic activities. West Africans were smelting and forging iron as early as 1200BC from where this technology spread to the rest of the globe.* * * *This means that Africa ought to be miles ahead in science and technology but sadly she is still a chief exporter of raw materials and net importer of technology. Africa lags behind in terms of research and development but remains a leading consumer of research outcomes despite her enormous resource endowment and strategic position in the global business arena.* * * *The continent that set the stage for the current scientific technologies and innovations is at the tail end in a race it started-off so well in. It is ironic that African countries are being persuaded by developed nations to set aside at least one per cent of their GDP to support research so as to develop homegrown solutions to their problems. Only South Africa has attained this and the fruits are evident. * * * *Africa need not reinvent the wheel, but exploit the free movement of technology by customising already developed ones to suit her unique needs.* * * *As human needs increase and resources dwindle, science and technology must be embraced for a secure future. All the developed countries have a common denominator in their heavy investment in both short- and long-term scientific research and development projects that are tailored to address local problems. * * * *Some of these solutions have been dumped in Africa. This is dangerous, because, if African problems were not integrated in the development of such technologies, then how can they meet our needs?* * * *The subsequent wholesale transfer of these technologies to developing countries has killed indigenous knowledge. This problem will prevail because scientists chose to vacate their political seat long ago; those who dare usually go back but without the science script.* * * *Politics is about governing through bargaining, negotiating and compromising to move a nation towards some desired target. Yet, science must not be compromised if development is to be realised. * * * *Yet science and technology have been relegated in many African countries. Though they have research institutions and ministries, poor prioritisation has resulted in under-funding and findings are seldom integrated into the national development agenda. * * * *Underfunding of this vital aspect of our lives has left our research at the mercy of donors. It is dangerous for a country to leave such a vital sector in the hands of external donors.* * * *The development of the M-Pesa money transfer innovation in Kenya shows what adaptive technology research can yield. This innovation has hastened the rate of doing business, created jobs and brought banking services to many. * * * *This illustrates that it is not the transfer of technology, but its local adaptation to our needs that matters.* * * *The long-term and cost-intensive nature of scientific research and technology development doesn’t seem attractive to otherwise short sighted political leaders, who control development. Poor scientific communication among researchers cocooned in laboratories has blurred the prospects of science informing national development policies.* * * *Science rarely makes the agenda in political campaigns and the mass media. The proposed development of nuclear power and exploitation of bio-technology in Kenya are timely examples; though important to the nation’s development, they didn’t feature anywhere in the just concluded presidential campaigns. * * * *Yet these are issues that must be politicised to awaken debate, inform policy makers and benefit the public.* * * *Dr Othieno teaches Agricultural Information and Communication Management at the University of Nairobi. jothien...@yahoo.com*
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