- Malawi president Bingu wa Mutharika has asked his finance ministry to reconsider prioritising science and technology funding to foster economic growth, acknowledging that a lack of scientific and technological expertise poses serious problems for the country.
On returning from the African Union summit on 30 January, Mutharika reiterated his commitment to open Malawi's planned University of Science and Technology and also pledged to create an international scientific centre of excellence in Malawi.
The centre would build capacity to diagnose epidemics and bring together experts to discuss issues such as hydrology, genetic engineering and biotechnology.
"As long us the researchers bring us the technology to care for our people we will provide the resources, " said Mutharika.
He told reporters that Malawi trailed behind Egypt, Rwanda and South Africa due to lack of scientific capacity. He cited how contracts to mine uranium deposits in the northern Karonga district had to go to foreign firms, since Malawian entrepreneurs lack the technical expertise to exploit mineral deposits.
"We have depended on donor countries for scientific development for so long. It's time we commit more resources in our national budget to advance science and technology," Mutharika said.
He said countries like India, Singapore and Taiwan had advanced because of their investments in science and technology.
Meanwhile the president of Mozambique, Armando Guebuza, warned that without proper commitment from African leaders, it will be impossible to carry through the proposals agreed at the African Union summit.
"Science and technology development is vital for the establishment of thriving industries so that the continent will be able to process it own materials," he told journalists yesterday.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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