Researchers charged to find innovative ways to deal with COVID-19

 Dr. Kwame Antwi Oduro, National President of the Research Staff Association (RSA) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Association has called on fellow researchers and scientists to find innovative solutions to cope with the effects brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He stated that it has been a challenging task since the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has impacted on every aspect of life including health, employment, agriculture, research activities, among others.

According to him, it has been a moment full of hunger, anxiety, confusion, stress, coupled with disrupted research.

Dr. Oduro was presenting the keynote address at the 31st Delegates Annual General meeting of the Research Staff Association of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research at Fumesua in the Ejisu Municipality of Ashanti Region last Wednesday.

It was under the theme; “Harnessing Science and Technology for Food and Nutrition Security in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic”.

Dr. Oduro who expressed grave concern over the magnitude of land challenges facing CSIR with its attendant encroachment at an alarming rate, noted that greater part of CSIR’s scientific activities and contributions to the Ghanaian economy involve the use of land and as a result, the encroachment not only affects research activities, but also the roadmap for future research for national development.

“I wish to emphasize that, in partnership with CSIR central committee of local unions and other related bodies, the battle to reclaim the lands will continue”, he pointed out.

The Director of CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Prof Moses Bradford Mochiah, said the Institute had collaborated with other sister institutes and organizations like MOFA and FBOs to complement efforts of the government to provide food and nutrition security.

He said a number of stakeholders have been able to multiply planting seeds through its periodic releases of crop varieties over the years and have also contributed in no small measure to support the government’s flagship programmes like Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) and Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD).

He pointed out that the role of RSA cannot be over-emphasized with regard to developing technologies for food and nutrition security. “As Director, I have an obligation to ensure the Institute provides the enabling environment within, which all the identifiable bodies should thrive, to help promote the interest of their members”, he noted.Prof Mochiah said the CSIR-CRI, as the premier and largest Institute of CSIR, is envisioned to be a centre of excellence for innovative and quality agricultural research for national development.

Prof. Paul Bosu, who is also the Deputy Director-General of CSIR, in his contribution as the Chairman for the occasion, stressed the importance for Ghanaians to consume nutritious local foods and fruits as a measure to boost the immune system in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic. Other speakers included Prof Daniel Ofori, Dr. Wilhelmina Quaye, Prof Marian Quain and Dr. David Asenso-Gyambibi.

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