news

ATPS
Issue No. 11/12
Jan. - Dec. 2002

The Newsletter ofAfrican Technology Policy Studies Network

SPECIAL EDITION

Science and Technology and Africa’s Global Inclusion: 2002
ATPS Annual Conference and Workshop in Abuja, Nigeria
The main objectives of the conference andworkshop were to host an international
conference on the theme: 'Science andTechnology and Africa's Global Inclusion';
peer review new research proposals forfunding; run a research methodology andwriting skills workshop for ATPS
researchers; conduct a meeting of the ATPS
national coordinators; hold a special policy
forum with African ministers and directorsof science and technology; and hold theannual administrative meeting of the
network.

Annual Workshop: Left to right, Prof. Gabriel Ajayi, Prof. Melvin Ayogu, Prof. Manny Aniebonam
Key science and technology policy players
from the government, academia, andinternational development agencies
convened in Abuja, Nigeria to present lead
papers on different aspects of the theme:'Science and Technology and Africa's Global
Inclusion'.
The meeting that took place from 11 to 15
November 2002 was the second ATPS
Annual Conference and Workshop since its
autonomy. Like the year before, scholars,
experts and policy makers who attended
were drawn from over 20 countries spanning
Africa, Europe and North America.

In thisissue

Major Improvements
However, there were major improvementsin the organization, content and delivery.
The organization was enhanced because
the Federal Government of Nigeria,
through the Ministry of Science andtechnology, supported the meeting withsignificant financial and material
resources. This kind of collaboration
enhances the recognition andacceptability of ATPS in the particularcountry. It also generates resources that
supplement those provided by the mostly
non-African donors.

Ministerial & Policy Forum in Abuja
ATPS & SCIDEV Working Together
Marking the Scientific Revival Day
In brief
Staff News

3
5
10
14
16

During his opening speech, Dr Osita Ogbu,
the Executive Director of ATPS, said that theparticipants reflected the seriousness of thetheme of the conference, which was abalance between the academia and policy
makers, a mix of the present and future
leaders. “As much as possible, we have also
tried to bring participants from a number ofAfrican countries in order to balance ourexperience and proffer an all-inclusive
agenda for the way forward,” he explained.
He assured the meeting that next timeround, the gathering would be more
inclusive because ATPS aims to transformthe annual event to “a vanguard for
promoting science and technology policy inAfrica and for measuring achievements andfailures in the past year.”

COMESA/SADC/ATPS Workshop
Lauching a Regional ICT Programme
Chapter News
Appointments & Promotions

4
6
12
15

Borrowing the thought of the foremost
American authority on the management of
success, Brian Tracy, Prof Turner Isoun, theMinister for Science and Technology,
Nigeria and a member of the ATPS Board,
reminded the participants that, “We are,therefore, gathered here to critically analyze
Africa's global economic exclusion
problems and proffer pragmatic andsustainable solutions. This requires
formulating and implementing innovative
science and technology policies that will
drive the African economy to the 21stCentury.”
Plenary Session
The plenary session, which was termed theconference part of the annual event, took agreater part of two days. It attracted papers
from senior researchers and policy makers
from Africa and international institutions.
ATPS is increasingly using this forum tobring African scholars from Europe andAmerica to share their skills and knowledge
with their counterparts at home. This role of
networking Africans across continents will
be intensified in the coming years because
lasting relationships often emerge from suchcontacts. The networking also provided an
opportunity for the scholars and policy
makers gathered to make inputs into thescience and technology (S&T) agenda of the
New Partnership for Africa's Development(NEPAD).
S & T Challenges for Africa
The presentation from the NEPAD
secretariat gave clear indications of the roleof S&T policy in advancing the NEPAD
agenda and the role of institutions, such as
ATPS. The keynote address from the
Executive Secretary of the Economic
Commission for Africa (ECA), Dr K.Y.
Amoako, was powerful in identifying key
S&T challenges for Africa, underscoring theneed for a clear S&T regime that integrates
Africa into the global economy andaddresses the millennium development
goals.
Amoako said that such a regime musta d d r e s s c a p a c i t y i n a d e q u a c y,competitiveness and diversification of the
2 ATPSNEWS

economy, integration of science andtechnology and innovation policies withthe overall development policies,
strengthening science and technology
policy making, among other concerns. He
also pointed out that there is a great dealof debates on how best African countries
can benefit from and respect property
rights on intellectual and genetic capital.
He added that this is an important policy
area for potential help through NEPAD
and ATPS, in collaboration with AOPI,World Intellectual Property Organizationand the African Regional Industrial
Property Organization.

rewards of successful development but
critical tools for achieving it.

Other papers dealt with various issues
relating to the global inclusion of Africawith respect to Information
C o m m u n i c a t i o n Te c h n o l o g i e s ,biotechnology, global governance oftechnology, foreign direct investment andtechnology transfer, and indigenous
knowledge.

Research Proposals
In the concurrent sessions, 47 research
proposals from 16 countries were presented
for peer review. The proposals were grouped
into the following themes: Agricultural
Technology Policy; Information andC o m m u n i c a t i o n Te c h n o l o g y ;Biotechnology, Gender and Food
Technology Policy; and Innovation,
Technology Transfer and Environmental
Technology Policy. The proposals were ofhigh quality and the rigorous review at thenational chapter level and at the regionalsecretariat appear to be yielding fruit. The
ATPS Board approved the funding of 16
proposals due to limited funding. All 16
contracts have been funded and work is now
on-going in the field.

Ministers’ Policy ForumThe climax of the conference was a policy
forum attended by ministers from Nigeria,
Algeria, Guinea and senior policy makers
from Nigeria and other African countries.
Using the good office of Prof. Isoun,various African ministers of science andtechnology were invited to deliberate on
how to use science and technology tointegrate African economies into theglobal economy. The deliberations wereopen, frank and purposeful. The need forcollaboration, exchange of ideas andlearning between African countries wasemphasized. In the end a communiqué
was issued.
The ministers' and policy makers' forum
was timely because it answered the call, byProf Norah Olembo, the Chair of the
ATPS Board, that strategies andmechanisms that strengthen partnerships
between researchers and African policy
makers need to be developed. She urged
the participants to promote participatory
research and teamwork comprising all
stakeholders because science, technology
and innovation policies are not onlyThis meeting was significant because it
clearly marked the beginning of a processthat will be repeated annually if resources
permit. In order to hold this forum, theGovernment of Nigeria provided
accommodation and logistics to the visiting
ministers and some of the senior policy
makers. But more importantly, it clearlyprovided an avenue for ATPS to concretize
its S&T policy knowledge brokerage role andto announce its presence as a resourcefulpartner in Africa's development process.

It is increasingly clear that the peer review
process and the use of resource persons
within and outside Africa continue to be ofimmense benefit to researchers who may or
may not get a grant. The attendance at the
ATPS Annual Conference and Workshop
including the methodology workshop is ofimmense value to the researchers and somepolicy analysts who participate. It adds
value to their skills and increases theirappreciation of science and technology
policy.
As ATPS moves into a new strategy, there areplans to do more of this and to conduct S&T
planning seminars and training that will
target policy makers and researchers at alllevels.

Major Ministerial &Policy Forum at the
ATPS Annual Conferencein Abuja...caption...
ordinated efforts by the various levels of government.” The
consensus statement goes on to state that leaders, not markets,should drive the process of scientific and technologicaladvancement.

Taking a shotr break during the ministerial forum. Prof Olivier Saasa, left, and Prof
Joseph Massaquoi, ATPS board
The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) strives
to support and promote innovative science and technology(S&T) policy for Africa's development. Since its inception, theinstitution has made important contributions to S&T policy bychallenging conventional notions on the subject in sub-SaharanAfrica.
An important feature of the five-day ATPS Annual Conference
and Workshop in Abuja on “Science and Technology andAfrica's Global Inclusion” organized jointly by ATPS and the
Nigerian Federal Ministry of Science and, was the Ministers andPolicy Makers' Forum. Ministers of science and technology,
representatives and policy makers from Algeria, Egypt, Ghana,
Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia shared experiences
and strategies in S&T formulation and implementation. They
also helped ATPS to draw up the research agenda on S&T for
growth and development of Africa. Out of the deliberations
came a consensus statement urging African governments todevelop “as a matter of urgency” national policies on
information and communication technology, and on
biotechnology, “in order to realize the full benefits of thesetechnologies”. See full communique on page 18.
Prof Turner Isoun, Nigeria's Minister of Science and Technology,
and also an ATPS Board member, and Dr Osita Ogbu, Executive
Director of ATPS, signed the statement. The statement says thatscience and technology should not only be a concern of national
governments, but also a priority for provincial and local
governments. Achieving this, it adds, “requires national
strategy, constitutions and expenditures, which reflect co-

In recognition of this, the statement proposes that ATPS set up
an annual award of excellence for an African leader who “hasdemonstrated evidence of leadership in promoting science andtechnology for development in Africa.” The statement also
warns African governments of the need for caution in signing theinternational conventions and agreements that are coming toform the core of global governance, “scientific or otherwise”.
“African countries must ensure that they have a proper
understanding of the implications of such agreements for theirrespective economies”, the statement says. In particular, theyneed “to carefully consider the benefits and costs ofsurrendering their national sovereignty in signing global
conventions.”
Ogbu says that the aim of ATPS in helping to organize themeeting in Abuja was not only to discuss different aspects of thetheme of the meeting with scholars, experts and policy makers
spanning more than 20 countries of Africa, Europe and North
America, but also “to support and strengthen the work of the[Nigerian] ministry and to gain from its new science andtechnology thrust.”
He says that the consensus statement will help to articulate theresearch agenda of ATPS in the coming years. And he adds thatthe forum held in Abuja “is going to be institutionalized in
keeping with the challenges that ATPS and its constituencies
anticipate.”
This kind of challenge is not out of the ordinary for ATPS
because the network has consistently involved policy makers in
its activities. Last year, a similar meeting was held in Nairobi,
Kenya

ATPSNEWS 3MINISTERIAL AND POLICYFORUM HIGHLIGHTSFROM COMMUNIQUE IN
ABUJAThat African governments should
promulgate, as a matter ofurgency, national policies on ICT
and Biotechnology in order torealize the full benefits of thesetechnologies and that the African
Technology policy Studies Network
should facilitate this process where
necessary.
That Africa's global inclusion will
require capacity building in ICT,
Biotechnology, an entrepreneurial
scientific community and a policy
environment devoid of self-doubt.
That NEPAD Secretariat should
work with the ATPS and otherinstitutions to make the NEPAD
framework science and technology(S&T) led and knowledge driven.
That an annual award of
excellence be instituted by the
ATPS to be given to an African
leader that has demonstrated
evident leadership in promoting
science and technology fordevelopment in Africa.

4 ATPSNEWSCOMESA/SADC/ATPS Regional
Workshop for Trade Negotiatons on
the Doha Development Agenda

Participants follow proceedings
The African Technology Policy Studies
Network (ATPS) joined the Southern
African Development Community(SADC) and the Common Market for
Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
in co-hosting the First Regional Workshop
for Trade Negotiators on the Doha
Development Agenda that was held in
Nairobi, Kenya from 5 to 7 August, 2002.
Minister’s Speech
The Hon Nicholas Biwott, Minister for
Trade and Industry of the Republic of
Kenya, officially opened the workshop. In
his speech, the minister
informed the meeting that
he was one of theministers who witnessed
the debacle of the third
ministerial meeting in
Seattle and also
participated in theformulation and adoptionof the Doha Development
Agenda. He added that
he was fully aware of the demands made on
developing countries and less developed
countries (LDCs) to accept a 'new round'with its centerpiece being negotiations for
new agreements in such critical but
inappropriate issues as investment,competition, and government
procurement.

analysts and advisors to policy makers, to befocused and to make practical andactionable proposals that would ensure thatthe benefits of globalization are frontloaded while obligations are back-loaded tohelp make globalization more meaningful
among the general population in LDCs anddeveloping countries.
Biwott expressed gratitude to ATPS, theUnited Nations Conference on Trade andD e v e l o p m e n t ( U N C TA D ) , t h eCommonwealth Secretariat, the South
Centre, the African, Carribean, Pacific(ACP) States Secretariat
and the Secretariat of theAfrican Union that werecollaborating with
COMESA and SADC.

...Make practicaland actionableproposals thatwould ensure thatthe benefits ofglobalization are

The minister urged the participants, as

The Role of ATPSDr Osita Ogbu, theExecutive Director of
ATPS, in his rejoinder, said
that it was a privilege for
ATPS to co-host the meeting. He introduced
ATPS, its mission and vision and affirmedthat ATPS has the distinction of being one of
the first research network to bring together
multi-disciplinary science and technology
policy practitioners to analyze science andtechnology for development. He also addedthat the network was filling a niche notserved elsewhere by addressing two capacity
building functions: providing a forum fordiscussing and advancing knowledge withincountries, and promoting a pan-African
perspective on the science, technology anddevelopment discourse.
On the importance of collaborating with
SADC and COMESA, Ogbu said, “because
we deal with trade and technology,
intellectual property rights and such related
issues, we feel that the workshop is within
our domain and the activities we aresupporting. Indeed, one of the focal areasthat we support is World Trade Organization(WTO) issues as they relate to technology
policy in Africa. When we first muted theidea of joining COMESA and SADC to cohost this workshop, people wondered why
we were joining a crowded field of tradenegotiations. COMESA accepted our
proposal, and we are glad.”He maintained that the purpose of themeeting was not to discuss how to conformto the rules of WTO but to plan how to
improve on them in the coming
years, stressing that the impetus of
the workshop is “the work that theexperts are doing, and support fromAfrican ministries.”

Other ATPS researchers were present tomake intellectual contributions to theworkshop.
COMESA & Regional Integration
The Acting Secretary General of
COMESA, Mr Sindiso Ngwenya, informed
the meeting that COMESA and otherregional organizations have beencollaborating and co-ordinating theiractivities and programs. He added thatthey have common programs in a numberof areas, including competition rules forcivil aviation and air transport and also inassessing the impact of further tradeliberalization on the economies of themember states as they establish free tradeareas and customs unions.
Kenya's Ambassador and Permanent
Representative in Geneva, Amina
Mohamed, pointed out that regional
integration could make international trade
work better through regional solidarity

enhancing the development of thecontinent.
Workshop Participants
The workshop was attended by participantsfrom Angola, Burundi, Comoros,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar,
Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda,
Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan,
Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia andZimbabwe.
Geneva-based ambassadors and officials of
foreign missions in Angola, Botswana,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique,
Namibia (Brussels), South Africa, Sudan,
Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
were also present.
The African Union (AU), the InterGovernmental Authority on Development(IGAD), the East African Community(EAC), the Indian Ocean
Commission (IOC),
Caribbean and Pacific Groupof States (CPGS), theCommonwealth Secretariat,
the International Center for
Trade and Sustainable Development(ICTSD), the International Development
Research Centre (IDRC), and the South
Center were among organizations
represented.

ATPS interests in the WTO agenda emanatesfrom its capacity building mandate...

He outlined the objective of the workshop as
developing strategies for dealing with newissues, post Doha. Given the imbalance onrights, obligations and implementation
under the WTO against developing
countries, Ogbu urged African leaders toassertively express their lack of readiness toengage in a new round of trade negotiations
until the full implications of these newissues are understood.
ATPS interests in the WTO agenda
emanates from its capacity building
mandate and more specifically because of
the interest in issues pertaining to theintellectual property rights regimes, trade
and technology, technology transfer andhealth technology policy issues. These are
all issues that now fall under the ambit of the
WTO and ATPS feels compelled to be partof the process of strengthening African
negotiators in these respects. ATPS
commissioned a paper that dealt with theseissues as part of its input into the meeting.

and better policy co-ordination andmanagement at the national level. She
called on COMESA, the SADC, and otherdeveloping countries to be more active in
multilateral trade negotiations. With
specific reference to the Singapore Issues,
she suggested that Africa should
concentrate on matters that have a bearing
on the continent's development.
Dr. Prega Ramsamy, Executive Secretary of
SADC, in a speech read on his behalf by
Dr. Nicolau Sululo, the Senior Trade
Expert, recalled that the joint
SADC/COMESA meeting in Cairo in May
2001 decided that the two organizations
should co-operate to build strong and coordinated positions on issues of mutualinterest for the development of Easternand Southern Africa. He said that hebelieved that the workshop would help to
influence Africa's position and reaffirmed
the commitment of SADC to co-operatewith other regional economic groupings inUsing this forum, ATPS distributed some ofits publications and created demand for its
services beyond imagination. Many
participants came into contact with ATPS
for the first time and many speakers felt that
institutions, such as ATPS should be
empowered to provide advisory services to
the Geneva-based African negotiators in
the areas in which it has great competence.
Many wanted ATPS to have a representativein Geneva for closer cooperation andcontinuous intellectual guidance.
While this is not part of the immediate plansof ATPS, it is clear that the network could
use its members to provide research input
into the questions that the African
negotiators are constantly grappling with.
ATPSNEWS 5ATPS & SCIDEV
working together
to train
Journalists inScienceCommunication
The African Technology Policy Studies
Network (ATPS), in collaboration with the
Science and Development Network (SciDev.
Net) of United Kingdom sponsored aworkshop: Science Communication for
Sustainable Development, in Entebbe,
Uganda for selected science and technology
writers from all over Africa.
The four-day event, running from 29
September to 3 October 2002 attracted
scientists, public relations officers, print
and radio/TV journalists along withprofessionals from academies of science,
government departments, science andtechnology institutions and nongovernmental organizations.
Molding S&T Policy Ambassadors
ATPS sponsored, Lily Aduke, the ATPS
Communications and Outreach Officer andsix journalists drawn from Nigeria, Tanzania,
Ghana, Lesotho, Cameroon and Swaziland
national chapters as part of its interest andcommitment to the training of science
writers to increase capacity in science
communication in sub-Saharan Africa. The
participation of ATPS brought diversity andadditional perspectives to a gathering thatwas otherwise dominated by participants
drawn largely from East Africa. ATPS sees
these journalists as science and technology
policy ambassadors and hopes tocollaborate with them for its media outreachactivities in the various countries.
Dr Enoh Tanjong, an ATPS-sponsoredparticipant, described the difficulties hefaces in promoting science journalism inCameroon. He explained that over the lastten years he has been developing a model
curriculum for training related to science
6 ATPSNEWS

Participants in a group photographand communication. He revealed that
more science students are interested intaking some courses in journalism,
despite the decline in admissions to thescience faculty. He also noted that more
women are now entering the journalism
profession. Tanjong added that there islittle evidence of science communicationon the ground, but he is hopeful that,“science journalism does have a future in
Cameroon with the media becoming morediverse”. Tanjong heads the Departmentof Journalism of the University of
Cameroon.
Science Jounalism
Ken Nwogbo, the Senior Correspondent
with Champion Newspaper, Nigeria said
that although science is reasonably wellcovered and represented in the news,
there is lack of emphasis on how sciencewould contribute to the overall
development of Nigeria.
He also pointed out that most journalists
were unable to make science reports
attractive enough to compete favorablywith advertisements or political andbusiness stories. He decried the lack ofmodern facilities, such as computers andInternet services in 90% of the media
houses in his country.
He encouraged journalists to make theirstories simple to fit with the focus of theeditors. Nwogbo was also sponsored by

ATPS. These testimonies are proof that theinterest and commitment of ATPS to thetraining science writers is timely andworthwhile. Prof Mondo Kayongera, theMinister for General Duties in the Office of
the Prime Minister, Uganda, during the
opening speech, underscored the need forbuilding both regional and individual
capacity to bridge the science andtechnological divides between thedeveloped and under-developed world. Thisemphasizes the role that ATPS is alreadyplaying in this area.
The workshop combined presentations frominvited speakers from Africa, Europe andNorth America, with practical learning
exercises and structured discussion groups
aimed at sharing and strengthening science
communications practices and helping to
identify key resource and training needs inthe region.
Concensus Statement
A consensus statement was drawn up on the
final day, representing the joint views of
those who attended the workshop. Amongother requests, the meeting urged scientificbodies, including research institutions andscientific academies to actively supportscience communication, and to enhance thecommunication of their research to the
public.
Many in the scientific community that havecome to learn of ATPS interest andcommitment to the training of science
writers and have encouraged it.

ATPS launches a New
Regional Research
Programme on ICTs

Resource persons. From left, Prof Melvin Ayogu, Dr Sam Inyangi, Charles Mutonga
The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) launched a newprogram: Strengthening National ICT Policy in Africa: Governance, Equity andInstitutional Issues, with a pre-study workshop on 8-10 July 2002 in Nairobi,
Kenya. Team leaders from the participating countries, namely, Ghana,
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa,
Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe came together to establish a common
understanding of the research agenda, and to receive guidance from resource
persons before the implementation of the project.
Pres-study Workshop
The pre-study workshop was useful in harmonizing the process, in establishingcommon understanding of the research problematique and for revision ofcountry proposals. Thus, this was a forum for capacity building and for learning
about other countries' advances and problems with respect to ICT policy
processes and reforms. The twelve country teams have been funded and acoordinator, Prof Melvin Ayogu, from the University of Cape Town will monitor
progress and provide quality control.
The countries were chosen to reflect regional representation, various stages of
ICT policy formulation, per capita income levels, Internet density and publicaccess as well as the different stages in the public sector reform process. ATPS
does not currently have chapters in Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa andMozambique. The extension of this program to these countries is to signal theintent already approved by the Board that ATPS is a pan-African organization.
Funds permitting, these contacts and research teams from these countries will
constitute the nucleus upon which national chapters in these countries would bebuilt. Prior to the workshop, a concept paper was developed through series ofconsultations with stakeholders, including researchers, relevant actors in theprivate sector and policy makers. The concept paper set out the issues, theresearch agenda and the implementation strategy for this program. Essentially,
this program will provide policy makers with choices on how to improve thepolicy/ legislative and regulatory environment to ensure internal consistency ofpolicy, improve ICT access, improve equity in access and generally improve thegovernance of the sector for increased social benefits. In addition to the concept
paper, research teams from the participating countries produced specific country

proposals which had certain areas of overlap but also specific questions only
relevant to their countries. This approach will enable the program to makeregional wide pronouncements on some issues and, yet bring out certain
national policy nuances that need correction and from which other countries canlearn. The resource persons noted that Ghana had fulfilled all the theoreticalconditions for effective deployment of ICTs and yet they could not achieve thedesired goals. The team, represented by Dr. Imoroh Braimah and Mr. Godfrey
kwasi Frempong was advised to emphasize the regulatory mechanisms andlegislative processes, as this would provide an interesting contrast to Uganda.
James Hodge, representing the South African team reiterated the feasibility ofthe project in South Africa due to the existence of an excellent database that isunder-utilized. He said this makes data acquisition relatively easy and reliable.
He also said that the Universal Access Policy experienced a lot of technologicalpush and less economic considerations. Politics and lax regulatory frames could
be incentives for policy flip-flops. He also said that the telecom process was lessresearched and would receive their due attention.
Prof Clement Dzidonu, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Institutefor Information Technology, Ghana, and a resource person during the workshop,
pointed out the need for the South African team to emphasize the regulatory
and legal issues. He also stressed that the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) countries could learn from the South African experience. On
equity and access, Dzidonu said that South Africa is currently leading in
employing alternative technology in the deployment of ICTs in rural areas. He
asked the research team to pursue this and give insights to it. Mr Eshetu Alemu,
the Team leader from Ethiopia, observed that the government of Ethiopia is not
fully aware of technical solutions suited for rural areas. He also said that
Ethiopia recognizes the role of ICTs in Poverty Reduction Strategies but made no
mention how technology will be deployed to this end.
Represented by Dr Raphael Mmasi and Ms Denise Umuhoza, the Rwandan teamobserved that the Rwandan government was establishing a regulatory board
thus making their research timely and enabling them to take advantage ofcomparative experiences in making policy recommendations to the government.
They also said that they would recommend that the membership of this board
consist of people who could handle ICT-related technical issues. The Kenyan casestudy will, in addition to the core questions, explore the private/public sector
partnership in ICT policy formulation. There is a private sector working group on
ICT development in Kenya. The whole political economy of the development of
the ICT sector appears to be of considerable interest to the entire team since it
informs both the institutional and legislative process. These were but a few
points among those that were highlighted by the various countries.
Progress Workshop
A mid-term review workshop will take place in June 2003 to assess interim
reports and to provide peer review and learning. If Africa is to compete andinsert itself into the global economy, we must critically review our governancemechanisms with a view to updating the rules, regulations, and legislative
processes, and to create or reform the relevant institutions for the effective
promotion of ICTs with efficiency and equity in mind. The current research
agenda has been developed for this purpose.
ATPSNEWS 7

African governments should allocate moreresources to science and technology as is
being done in the developed nations and the
Newly industrialised Countries (NICs). This
was the view of a number of leading
scientists who recently gathered in Nairobi
to commemorate the Scientific Revival Day
of Africa on 28 June 2002.
The Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU), on
30 June 1987 during the 46th Ministerial
Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
declared 30 June a special day tocommemorate science and technology(S&T) in Africa. It is a day that is dedicated
to issues of S&T, and for African countries
to think about the role of this important
subject in development. However, this day
continues to escape the notice of thescientific community and policy makers in
the continent.

ATPS
marks

Africa's
Scientific
RevivalJune 2002

Day

Seated, left to right, Prof Ratemo Michieka, JKUAT, Dr Osita Ogbu, ATPS.
Standing, left to right, Dr said Salim, ICRISAT, Prof Joseph Massaquoi, UNESCO/ATPS, Dr John Mugabe, NEPAD, Mr
Alex Aduda, KIRDI, Elijah Agevi, ITDG, Dr Hans Herren, ICIPEThe African Technology Policy Studies
Network (ATPS), never shying fromchallenges, took the initiative to lead otherorganizations in marking the 15th anniversaryof the science day. The scientific community
in Kenya from the universities, government,
and national, regional and international
non-governmental organizations attended around table discussion and press
conference at the Nairobi Safari Club on 28
June 2001 to deliberate and compare notes
8 ATPSNEWS

on how S&T can be re-deployed to
improve Africa's development.
Dr Osita Ogbu, Executive Director of the
ATPS, reminded the participants that the
day was yet another important day in thecalendar of African policy makers,
researchers and industrialists. He said,“This should be a day for Africa to note
what we have not achieved including themissed cues and inventions, lack ofinterest and inappropriate environment forscience and technology to thrive.”
Ogbu also pointed that African governments
had created national science councils withlofty objectives but given them very little
resources and their relevant ministries areleast funded while their mandates are evenless clear. "We have research institutes andlaboratories that have not only become
skeletons of their past but some are now
mere consulting outfits. If donor funding iswithdrawn, even the researchers' salaries
would not be guaranteed," he said. He notedthat in so long as our research agenda
re m a i n e d d o n o r d e p e n d e n t , o u rdevelopment path would always remain
irrelevant to our needs.
Dr. John Mugabe, Executive Secretary of theAfrican Commission on Science andTechnology, linked to the New Partnerships
on Africa's Development (NEPAD) said,“Africa must invest more resources inscience and technology if it is to develop.”He emphasized the need for effective
structures rather than sticking to dormant ordying institutions. He also stressed thatscience should be part of the people's
culture. While officially opening the event,the Kenyan Minister for Science andTechnology, Hon. Gideon Ndambuki, notedthat science and technology are the mostimportant factors in poverty reduction andsustained economic growth. He said that the
government, through its National Council
for Science and Technology, will be revizing
the Science and Technology Act. This will
include putting more emphasis on
biotechnology, information technology,
allocation of more resources for researchand development, and identification of
appropriate partners in funding research.
The Organisation of Africa Unity-InterBureau for Animal Resources (OAU-IBAR),
in a speech read on behalf of Dr. Solomon
Haile Mariam, the Deputy Director, urgedAfrican governments to increase allocationof funding for the continent's research anddevelopment activities that will include
capacity building especially in emerging
technologies like biotechnology.

Haile Mariam noted that the Africa must invest
abroad. They are
number and quality ofreservoirs of fantastic
students graduating in more resources ininnovations but what canscience subjects in African
we do without
science anduniversities was inadequate
governments' support.
technology if it is Governments must fundto effectively respond to thecontinent's socio-economic
research," he said.
to develop
needs. "Resources allocated
Additionally, he called forto scientific andgovernment efforts totechnological activities
strengthen the teaching of sciencemust be increased urgently. Above all the subjects at all levels of the educationinterdependence between industry, system. He said deliberate efforts must be
academic research institutions and policy made to reinforce the teaching of basicmakers needs to be urgently harmonized," sciences at the primary school levels.
he said. He also said that OAU had on
several occasions reminded governments Prof Judi Wakhungu, Executive Director ofthat the most critical and overriding the African Centre for Technology Studies
problem facing Africa is and still remains, (ACTS) said research and development
the poor and uncoordinated management of must be accorded higher priority in terms
vital technological related resources, of funding from governments. "Hardly any
enterprises, rural and development research is being conducted in our
institutions.
universities. There are isolated
laboratories here and there due to lack of
The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) funds. How can we ensure that we have
Director, Prof. G. B. A. Okello, said that the world-class scientists and engineers when
institution was considering strengthening professors are not carrying out research,"
two science centres in Nigeria and Ghana. she questioned. A second major concern
He appealed for more centres in basic was brain drain due to “lack of recognitions c i e n c e s l i k e m a t h e m a t i c s a n d of opportunities to further one's career.
biotechnology.
Africa needs to value and respect its
scientists for their contribution to
Prof Ratemo Michieka, the Vice Chancellor society,” said Wakhungu,
of the Jomo Kenyatta University ofAgriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Dr. Hans Herren, the Director General ofpointed out that there are fewer students the International Centre for Insectgoing for doctorates in basic sciences like Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), said thatmaths, physics and chemistry and farmers too needed recognition and calledsomething needs to be done to change the for the motivation of the private sector's
trend. Michieka was saddened that Kenyan involvement in science and technology for
scientists were among the most poorly paid development. Ogbu and other scientists
professionals in the world, yet they were reminded journalists that they also had aexpected to be in the forefront in solving the social responsibility to popularize science
country's problems.
and technology in thecontinent.
He noted with concern thecurrent exodus of scientists
Participants agreed that...research &from the country due tonext year's event would
development must include exhibitions frompoor working conditions
and non-recognition frominstitutions andbe accorded higher various
policy makers. "Ourindividuals dealing with
universities and related
priority in terms of science and technology
research institutions are
and ATPS intends tofunding fromcapable of producing whatparticipate actively.
we clamour for fromgovernments“Without
innovative
public policy,
technologies
could becomea source of
exclusion, nota tool of
progress.
The needsof the poor
could remain
neglected,
new global
risks left
unmanaged”
UNDP Human
Development Reportfor 2001

ATPSNEWS 9PICTORIALATPS Board Members in Abuja, Nigeria, Left to right, ProfProf Turner Isoun, Dr Osita Ogbu, Prof Oliver Saasa

Lily Aduke, ATPS Communications & Outreach Officer, left, with Kellen Kebaara, ICRAF, during the
Scidev.net workshop in Kampala

COMESA/SADC/ATPS workshop participants pose for a grou
Country Hotel, Kenya

Prof Norah Olembo, Chairperson ATPS Board, makes a speech during Annual Workshop dinner

ICT Participants enjoy ‘nyama choma’ at Carnivore Restaura

Alhaji Abubakar Abdulahi, Raw Materials Research & Development Council, Nigeria, duringa press conference in Abuja, Nigeria“It’s fun time...”, the ATPS Board Chairperson, Prof Norahand Eric Barassa, during the Annual Workshop cocktail in A

Lynn Mytelka, Prof Joseph Massaquoi,

Dr Michael Madukwe, left, Nigeria Chapter, makes a point toPrince Ademola F. Adenuga, Director, Policy, Planning, Research & Statistics

up photograph at the Windsor Golf &ATPS Kenya Chapter members during a presentation to the CKRC, left to right,
Alex Gacuhi, Nancy Baraza, the late Dr Ooki Ombaka, Bernard Sihanya;ant, Nairobi, Kenya

Olembo, seems to tell ‘songbirds’ Mogagu Magayu
Abuja, Nigeria

Prof Turner Isoun and Dr/Mrs Isoun, at the annual workshop cocktail,Abuja, Nigeria

CHAPTER NEWSATPS NATIONAL CHAPTERS BRING NEW IDEAS AND S&T FOCUS TO NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
The uniqueness of ATPS as a network derives from the presence of its national chapters.
With the completion of the first phase of strengthening the national chapters, the various
national strategic plans are now driving the activities of the chapters. We have seen
increased activities in policy dialogue, in media interaction and in working withestablished science and technology agencies of the government. The ATPS national
chapters are now devoting a great deal of their energy and resources to policy advocacy
and advice. The visibility of the activities of some of the chapters has led to many of thenational coordinators being invited to sit in many government commissions and task
forces. ATPS is no longer an institution that simply makes small research grants. It has
become one that brokers science and technology knowledge and feeds them where they
are necessary. A summary example of what is happening in the chapters will illustrate
this point.

ATPS Kenya Chapter presenting to the CKRCATPS KENYA AT THE CONSTITUTION OF KENYA REVIEW COMMISSION (CKRC)ATPS secretariat staff and the Kenya Chapter made presentations to the Constitution of
Kenya Review Commission (CKRC) on 20 February 2002. They introduced ATPS to thecommissioners and Bernard Sihanya, an ATPS researcher, presented a talk based on his
paper, “How Can we Constitutionalize Innovation, Technology and Intellectual Property in
Kenya?” Alex Gacuhi, the ATPS National Coordinator, Kenya Chapter presented the
Chairman of CKRC with copies of the document. The presentation was well received andthe commissioners expressed interest in working with ATPS, especially in the area ofpatents and intellectual property rights. The ATPS National Coordinator for the Uganda
Chapter, Dr. Zerubabel Nyiira, reported that Uganda embarked on a constitutional
review process. ATPS, through the national chapter, intends to use this opportunity tointeract with those involved in policy advocacy and dissemination.
Tackling Agriculture Productivity Issues in Kenya ATPS-Kenya continued to emphasize
S&T issues that affect the productivity of the agricultural sector in Kenya. A seminar on
this subject was held in October 17, 2002. The objective of the seminar was to share theresult and findings from ATPS supported research with decision makers, appropriate
agencies of government and the private sector. Papers presented at the seminar dealt
with the questions of increased banana production through biotechnology; technology
policy issues for small scale horticultural development; increased production of green
leaf for the smallholder tea farmer; and technology transfer and gender roles in tea andcoffee production. The forum also provided an opportunity for the Horticultural Crops
Development Authority (HCDA) of Kenya to present a paper that articulated its policy
concerns and to challenge researchers to use their skills to provide urgently needed new
ideas on how to move the horticultural sector forward. We have seen the response of theresearchers to this challenge through the research proposals submitted at the annual
workshop and this chapter continues to adhere to its stated emphasis on small scale
agriculture.

12 ATPSNEWSATPS GHANA & TANZANIA CHAPTERS
CHALLENGE THE EXCLUSION OF S&T ISSUESIN PRSPsIn Ghana, ATPS organized a policy
workshop on budgetary allocation for
Science and Technology in Ghana withsenior officials from the National
Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
African governments' allocation to S&T often
indicates the low priority it commands in thebudgetary politics and a lack of strong
constituency for it. National chapters havebeen asked to build this constituency. This
workshop was intended to draw theattention of the government to this issue.
We expect, in the coming years, to see some
response to this pressure. But this particular
workshop led to the involvement of the ATPS
Ghana Chapter with key policy makers
involved in the development of the Poverty
Reduction Strategic Paper (PRSP). At thetime of the workshop, the PRSP contained
nothing on the option for employing S&T forpoverty reduction. The Ghana Chapter was
subsequently invited to make a presentation
on S&T and poverty reduction strategy. As aresult of this presentation, the final versionof the PRSP now includes a substantial
section on the role of S&T in Ghana's
poverty reduction strategy. Similar roundtables on the PRSPs are now planned for
Tanzania and Kenya. The chapter also helda successful round table on the draft of
Ghana's ICT policy. The conclusions of thisworkshop, held in conjunction with thegovernment officials with participants fromcountries like Nigeria where an ICT policy isalready being implemented, have beencommunicated to the government.
ATPS-Tanzania organized a major
roundtable workshop/dialogue on 9
September 2002 on how to mainstream
science and technology in the Poverty
Reduction Strategic Plan (PRSP) of Tanzania.
This workshop, attended by key drivers of
the plan, looked at the conceptual issues
with respect to science and technology andwealth creation, the use of ICT to improve
the productivity of the poor, the importanceof biotechnology for improving agricultural
productivity, science and technology policy
intervention for improving access to wateramong other issues. Like in most PRSPs, therole of science and technology in poverty
eradication was not recognized as part ofthe plan and the intervention of ATPSTanzania was most timely and welcomed.
There were specific recommendations on
how to use science and technology policy toachieve poverty reduction. As a result of thisworkshop, the National Coordinator of
ATPS-Tanzania has been appointed as amember of the PRSP-Tanzania task force.

ATPS LESOTHO HELPING TO SHAPE THE NATIONAL S&T POLICYThe Lesotho National Chapter supported the National Workshop
on “Discussion of the First Draft of the National Science andTechnology Policy” that was held on 20 to 22 February 2002 in
Maseru, Lesotho. The workshop, attended by 202 people, was agreat success. Prof Zachary Matsela, the National Coordinator of
the Lesotho Chapter, and Ms. M. Maruping, an ATPS researcher,contributed to the draft policy document.
ATPS activities in countries like Lesotho are now gaining
recognition from the government. In recognizing the partnership
between the government and the chapter, ATPS received a letterfrom the Department of Science and Technology. Mr D.M.
Mokhesi, the Director of Science and Technology, wrote, “TheDepartment of Science and Technology, on behalf of theGovernment of Lesotho and also on its behalf, wishes tosincerely express our gratitude for the continuous support givenby the African Technology Policy Studies Network in our
endeavor.”

Dr. Michael Madukwe, Nigerian Chapter

ATPS UGANDA LENDS A HAND IN DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULUMFOR COMMUNITY POLYTECHNICS
ATPS-Uganda organized a consultative workshop in August 2002
on the development of a curriculum for community Polytechnics in
Uganda. This was in response to the policy pronouncements of the
President of Uganda on the government intended policy on theestablishment of more community Polytechnics. The objectives of
the workshop were to:> discuss the core contents of a responsive curriculum forcommunity Polytechnics> discuss the role of the private sector, NGOs and thecommunity in the development and sustenance of these
Polytechnics> make policy recommendations on the way forward

ATPS NIGERIA WORKING WITH THE NEW ICT AND BIOTECHNOLOGYDEVELOPMENT AGENCIESIn Nigeria, the National Chapter is working closely with the national
institutes set up to implement the ICT and biotechnology policies of
the government. Inputs have been made on the implementation of
the policy on ICTs and the National Information and Technology Policy
Agency (NITPA) considers itself a strong ally of ATPS. A preliminary
review of the engineering and technology curriculum in Nigeria's
tertiary institutions by the chapter reveals an alarming gap between
the labor market requirements and what is taught in these
institutions. ATPS plans to support further work in this area once anagreement has been reached with the government on theircollaboration.
Popularizing Science and Technology Amongst the Youth in Nigeria
ATPS-Nigeria organized two essay competitions for university andsenior secondary school students. For the undergraduates, the topic
was, “The Place of Emerging Science and Technology in theDevelopment Process” and for the secondary school students, it was“The Role of the Youth in Science and Technology Development in
Nigeria”. This was an exercise meant to sensitize the youth on theimportance of science and technology in Nigeria's economic andsocial development. The competition elicited a lot of interest. ATPSNigeria also actively participated in a workshop to develop a national
biotechnology research agenda for Nigeria and in a stakeholder
forum on information technology. The relationship built from thesecollaborations help to create avenues for dissemination of ATPS
research and in turn feed the research process. The chapter alsoorganized a one-day research dissemination workshop in Abuja. Ten
ATPS funded research results were presented at this seminar. It also
provided an opportunity for other relevant research papers on S&T to
be presented to the wide audience that was present in Abuja. One
such paper on bread manufacturing was extensively reported in the
media and has now fed into the policy process of the National Drug
Administration Agency. This brokerage role is increasingly
emphasized by ATPS.

ATPS ETHIOPIA INVESTIGATES BRAIN DRAIN FROM AFRICA
ATPS-Ethiopia continues to champion the question of the brain drainfrom Africa. This issue is giving great visibility to the ATPS National
Coordinator. In this respect, the Coordinator is investigating thepotential role of recent returnees to Ethiopia. In collaboration with aconsulting firm, ATPS-Ethiopia has submitted a proposal to the
National ICT program of the ministry of Capacity building toundertake a nation-wide survey on ICT use in Ethiopia. One of theactive members of ATPS-Ethiopia has recently been promoted as theGeneral Manager of the Ethiopian Telecommunication Agency. The
chapter plans to leverage this appointment in its policy dissemination
exercises.

Meeting: Zambian Chapter

The workshop was attended by over 35 participants from the
National Curriculum Development Centre, Uganda Institute forProfessional Engineers, Private Sector Foundation, heads ofcommunity polytechnics, Ugandan National Council for Scienceand Technology, Ministry of Education and Sports, representativeof different media groups and legislators from the parliament of
Uganda. As a follow-up to this, the National Coordinator of ATPSUganda was asked by the Ministry of Education and Sports to
conduct consultative studies on community Polytechnics in
Uganda.
ATPSNEWS 13

POPULARISATION OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYATPS and the Mass Media: Discuss the way Forward

IN BRIEF

ATPS is placing a lot of emphasis on outreach to our identified constituencies. In
addition to what the national chapters are doing, the regional secretariat is actively
demonstrating the importance of outreach to policy makers and others.
On 14 February 2002, ATPS brought together senior editors and managers of bothprint and electronic media to a one-day workshop/luncheon in Nairobi. It was anopportunity to showcase what ATPS does but more importantly, it was an event
organized to solicit the collaboration of the media as partners in popularizing
science and technology in Africa.
Part of the problem with pushing the science and technology agenda is that there isno popular constituency that would force the policy makers to pay adequate
attention to the importance of science and technology in development. The
researchers are partly to blame and ATPS is tackling this by asking the researchers to
be more entrepreneurial and by rewarding those that demonstrate initiative towards
marketing their ideas. But the media has a greater role to play. ATPS intends tosensitize the media to give space to issues of science and technology and to the sortof materials that it produces through its Technopolicy Briefs Series.
The one-day event was well attended and the national chapters have been asked todevelop a program for interacting with the media and in using the various media for
popularizing science and technology through newspaper articles. As a follow-up tothis, ATPS organized a workshop in collaboration with Sci-Dev Net of UK in
September 2002 in Entebbe, Uganda, for selected science and technology writersfrom all over Africa.

RESOURCE
EXPANSIONATPS continues to maintain excellent
relationship with its current donors. The
Executive Director signed a new contract
with the InfoDev program of the WorldBank for US$12000 in support of ATPS
mid-term review workshop on theregional ICT program. Dr Ogbu remains
active in the resource expansion front.
He made presentations in Ottawa to theInternational Development ResearchCenter (IDRC) and the CanadianInternational Development Agency(CIDA). He visited Washington and held
further discussions with some officers of
the World Bank. The interests expressedby these institutions are being pursued.

Discussing the way forward...
14 ATPSNEWSDISSEMINATION
THROUGH THE POLICYORGANS OF (COMESA)ATPS is working very closely with thethe Common Market for Eastern andSouthern Africa (COMESA)
Secretariat and an understanding has
been reached that the meetings of thepolicy organs of COMESA can be usedby ATPS to disseminate its
publications, and other products.
Between 20 and 23 May 2002 in Addis
Ababa, ATPS publications were
distributed to the Ministerial Councilof COMESA. The reports were wellreceived and they welcomed the ideaof using such avenues for sharing
information in the future. ATPS isplanning to reach a similar
understanding with the Economic
Community of West African States(ECOWAS) Secretariat. As ATPS
strives to strengthen her convening
power, these alliances would be usefulin reaching the highest policy makers
in Africa.

WEBSITEATPS has now established a web site. This website makes it possible for most of
the publications coming out of ATPS to be up-loaded to the Internet for easy
access. It has already led to a reduction in the printing and distribution costs
because of the significant decrease in the quantity of publications that we have toprint. The web site will host discussion groups for exchange of information onscience and technology issues between ATPS network members and the public.
Our web site is www.atpsnet.org.

Part of the problem with pushing thescience and technology agenda is that
there is no popular constituency that would
force the policy makers to pay adequate
attention to the importance of science andtechnology in development.

appointments& promotions
TANZANIA
Ms. Bitrina Diyamett
In Tanzania, Ms. Bitrinna Diyammet,
the National Coordinator, has been
selected as one of the fifteeninternational experts to participate ina UNESCO Institute of Statistics
funded project that seeks to review
science and technology indicators.
As the only participant from Africa,
she is using ATPS network to collectinformation on the state of S&T in
the member countries. Diyammet
says that her position as an ATPS
National Coordinator has been
useful in the assignment because of
the contacts she has established in
more than 15 countries where ATPS
has national chapters.

Some of the contributions that the African Policy Studies Network (ATPS) makes are not always
easy to quantify. There are several ATPS researchers that have been appointed to key positions
in governments and others currently serving in various government task forces. In Sierra-Leone,
Lesotho, Ghana, Uganda, and Zambia, ATPS National Coordinators are serving thegovernments in many task forces and commissions that have been set up to articulate scienceand technology policy issues for their various countries. All these appointments came as a resultof their ATPS activities and affiliation.
ETHIOPIATHE GAMBIAProf Dejene
Aredo
In Ethiopia,
the National
Coordinator,
Prof Aredo
Dejene,using theplatform of
ATPS, is linking the issue of brain
drain to the status of S&T in Africa.
His paper published in the United
Nations' website and in many
newspapers has generated a lot of
debate. ATPS is supporting further
development of the ideas contained in
the paper.

Mr Ernest Aubee

Dr John Mugabe who completed
two terms as Executive Director of the
ZAMBIA
African Centre for Technology Studies,
Ms Charlotte Wonani
Nairobi was appointed the Executive
The National Coordinator, Ms.
Secretary of the Commission on Science
Charlotte Wonani, sits on the Policy
and Technology set up by the New
Development Coordination andPartnership for Africa's Development
Promotion Committee of the National(NEPAD). The Commission based in
Science and Technology Council.
Pretoria, South Africa is coordinating
NEPAD's science and technology
component. His brief is “to translate
NEPAD's goals with respect to science and technology into a programme of action”.
Mugabe has been a close associate of ATPS.
Mr Alex Gacuhi The National Coordinator of ATPS Kenya Chapter was promoted
to Director of Research and National Planning in the Ministry of Education, Science &Technology.
Prof Peter A. Onwualu He is now a full Professor at the University of
Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Mr Eshetu Alemu, left, team leader of the ATPS
regional project on the ICT, has been promoted to the rank ofGeneral Manager of Ethiopian Telecommunication Agency, agovernment department responsible for formulating andoverseeing regulatory framework for telecommunication service.

The ATPS the Gambia Chapter National
Coordinator, Mr Ernest Aubee, has been
appointed as the National Coordinatorof the Fight Against Social andEconomic Exclusion Program (FASE).
FASE is a three-year program of theGovernment of the Gambia that isfunded by the United Nations
Development Program (UNDP). One of
the foci of the program will be todevelop national policies favorable tothe poor.

GHANA CHAPTER
Dr. Abeeku Brew-Hammond
Dr. Abeeku Brew-Hammond, who was
until the end of February 2003 the ATPS
Ghana Chapter National Coordinator,
has been promoted to the rank of
Associate Professor and also appointed
Head of the Department of MechanicalEngineering at the Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology(KNUST), Kumasi. Dr. Brew-Hammond
took over as ATPS Ghana Focal Point in1998 and saw the approval of close toten (10) ATPS research proposals during
his tenure of office. His current
objectives as Head of Department
include increasing the number ofinternational students in the mechanicalengineering program at KNUST, forboth undergraduate and graduate
degrees, and making the department a
center of technological excellence within
the West African sub-region.

TRANSITION We wish to report the sad and sudden death of Mr. Edward Abakah on 20 April, 2002 after
a short illness. Mr. Abakah was a very active member of ATPS-Ghana and won an ATPS grant in 2000 to conduct a
research on the topic, “Technological Choices and Industrial Waste Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of
Ghana's Food Processing Industries and Cleaner Production Technologies”. Until his untimely death Mr. Abakah worked
as a Senior Scientific Officer with the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (STEPRI).
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
ATPSNEWS 15

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT ATPS
ATPS facilitates networking with policy makers in various ways our working papers and policy briefs have served as reference material in various policy
forums. Further, local chapter has been able to link up with the parliamentary committee on science and technology. We also made presentations to theconstitutional review team on how to constitutionalize innovations, technology and intellectual property in Kenya. Alex Gacuhi, Kenya“ATPS afforded me the opportunity to research into the interface between environmental policy and technology policy. My project which examined theimpact of national industrial affluent standards and the development of indigenous pollution control technology is perhaps the first study of that nature in
the country” Femi Olokesusi, Nigeria“ATPS activities enhanced my appreciation of the weaknesses in the S&T policy research support to government. My greatest accomplishment as a focal
point was in generating renewed interest in technology policy research, and improving linkages between researchers and policy makers”
Abeeku Brew-Hammond, Ghana“ATPS enhances your exposure. It gave me opportunity to interact with many institutions and professionals who share my interest in science & technology
policy research. Our research has facilitated curricular reform in various universities” Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Nigeria“ATPS workshops provided important insights into the core perspective of technology policy research, and enhanced my ability to conduct science andtechnology research”
Gregory Namusonge, Kenya“As a focal point, I have been able to network with other organisations to promote dialogue in science and technology policy issues. We have collaborated
with the Royal Swaziland society of science and technology to organise seminars on science and technology policy issues relevant to our country”
Musa M. Dube, Swaziland“ATPS helped refine my research skills and provided an opportunity to network with other researchers and policy makers working in the area of small
enterprise development. This enhanced my understanding of technology policy issues in small enterprise development, and gave me the confidence to set
up a research firm. Catherine Ngahu, Kenya

ATPS CALENDER 2003

DATE EVENTVENUE
March 26-30

S&T Methodology Training &Policy Sensitization Workshop

HarareJune 9-10

Board Meeting

Mombasa

June 23-25

ICT Regional Project
Progress Workshop

Nairobi

June 28-30

Scientific Revival Day

Nairobi

July 1-4

S&T Methodology Training& Policy Sensitization Workshop

Dakar

For Chapter Activities contact your National Chapter Coordinator.
16 ATPSNEWS

staffnews

MauriceOchieng Bolojoined as a Research Assistantin May 2002. A BSc. (Botany& Science) graduate from the
Nairobi University, Maurice
has worked as a field worker
with Malaria Immunology andGenetics Studies Project KEMRI and as a Volunteer
Facilitator with Janen
Rehabilitation Centre for the
Needy (JARCEN). He provides
research support to the
network researchers

In December 2002
Laban Chiko
Mungoma joined
ATPS staff as Accounts
Assistant to the Finance andAdministration Manager.
Laban holds a Bachelor ofCommerce Degree withdouble major in Accounting,Business Administration andManagement from Daystar
University. Previously he has
had short stints with Export
Processing Zone (EPZ) andEast African Portland Cement.

AWARD

In December 2002
Carolyn Oduya
Ochieng joined as
Secretary/Administrative
Assistant. Carolyn brings awealth of experience fromworking with variousorganizations. Previously she
was a Receptionist with Kituo
Cha Sheria.

Agnes Rimbere
was formally appointed as the
ATPS Receptionist from
October 2001. She holds a
Higher National Diploma incomputing from the Instituteof Data Processing
Management (IDPM). She iscurrently pursuing a BSc.
Degree in Computer science.
Previously she was with
International Development
Research Centre (IDRC).

Hon Prof Turner Isoun, left,
Nigeria's Minister for Science and Technology
and also an ATPS Board member was inNovember 2002 honoured by the Third
World Academy of Sciences with a certificate
of honour in recognition of his invaluable
contributions to science and technology
development in the third world.
The certificate was presented during theinaugural ceremony of the eight general
conference and 13th general meeting of theThird World Academy of Science and the 7th
general assembly of Third World Network of
Scientific Organizations which opened in
New Delhi, India. Prof Isoun was described“as an advocate for scientific thinking by
young people”.

Hon Prof Isoun's contribution to the development of science and technology in thethird world countries also include his fashioning out of “A science agenda from an
African perspective”. He has contributed to the development of space andbiotechnology.
Hon Prof Isoun is the first Nigerian professor in the veterinary sciences and he didresearch in cellular and molecular pathology.

In June 2002 Lucy
Mwangi joined as theProgramme and Publications
Administrator. A Library andInformation Science graduate
from Makerere University,
Lucy has a previously beenworking as a consultant with
the African Economic ResearchConsortium (AERC). She brings
on board over eight years
experience from working inResource Centres.

THESISAWARD
SCHEME
In order to promote its vision, to become acentre of excellence and brokerage between
science and technology policy researchers
on one hand, and technology policy
makers and implementers on the other, the
ATPS set up a thesis award scheme forgraduate students in universities in selectAfrican universities.
This programme awards modest thesis
research grants to exceptional thesis
research proposals written on issues ofscience and technology policy. Graduate
students who have an interest in this area
may compete for thesis support grant by
contacting their national chapter
coordinators for more information.
ATPSNEWS 17

Communiqué
issued at the end of a Ministerial and Policy Forum held during theAfrican Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) and Federal
Ministry of Science and Technology, Nigeria Conference andWorkshop on the Theme: Science and Technology and Africa's Global
Inclusion held in Abuja, Nigeria November 12, 2002.
Preamble
Conscious of the critical roles of science and technology in thedevelopment of Africa;
Recognizing the need to bridge the gap between African researchersand scientists on the one hand and policy makers on the other;
Taking into cognizance our common aspirations, goals and agenda
as represented by the NEPAD framework;
Realizing the urgency for Africa to be actively and profitably engaged
in the globalized economy;
Do note and resolve as follows:
That African countries having diverse research and scientificinstitutions operating at different levels of capabilities need topromote networking and alliances among themselves in order torealize synergetic efficiency;
That tertiary level institutions in Africa have not succeeded, in themain, in creating the necessary human capital base that supports
innovation and that transition to a knowledge-based society would
require reform in the curriculum and a re-examination of therelevance of current institutions;That scientific and technological innovation targets be set inaccordance with each countries potential and dynamic comparativeadvantage;
That African governments should promulgate, as a matter of urgency,

18 ATPSNEWS

national policies on Information and Communication Technology
and Biotechnology in order to realize the full benefits of thesetechnologies and that the African Technology Policy Studies
Network should facilitate this process where necessary;
That Africa's global inclusion will require capacity building inInformation and Communication Technology, Biotechnology, andentrepreneurial scientific community and a policy environment
devoid of self-doubt;
That African governments need to diversify their sources ofscientific and technical collaboration and not limit it to theirtraditional allies;
That global governance, scientific or otherwise, is rooted inconventions and agreements, and that African countries need to becareful in signing agreements without proper preparations anddeep understanding of the implications of such agreements fortheir respective economies;
That African countries need to carefully consider the benefits andcosts of surrendering their national sovereignty in signing global
conventions;That in all forms of international negotiations, African
governments need to use their best people wherever they may be;That it is not enough to build research, scientific and negotiating
capacities but to retain and use them;That grassroots awareness is required for NEPAD to be understoodand supported by the masses of African peoples;That NEPAD Secretariat should work with the ATPS and otherinstitutions to make the NEPAD framework science and technology(S&T) led and knowledge driven;

Institutional Partnerships and Collaborations
ATPS is building partnerships with regional african institutions e.g.
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), African
Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa (UNECA), African Development Bank (ADB) thiscollaboration facilitates complimentary research and exchange of
information, experience and skills. In the past year Dr. Ogbu took the
initiative to pay courtesy calls to some of these institutions. During a visit
to Canada he visited The International Development Research Centre(IDRC), Ottawa, United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural
Organization-Institute for Statistics (UNESCO-IS), Montreal and theCanadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
The following are some pictures showing the various places and people hemet on this visit. Clockwise: Ms Maureen O’Neal, President IDRC with Dr
Osita Ogbu in her office; Dr Osita Ogbu with Dr Rohinton Medhora, Vicepresident (programmes), IDRC, Ottawa, looking at the new policy brief;
Dr Ogbu during a visit to the UNESCO-Institute of Statistics, Montreal,
Canada;ATPS is asking that researchers be
more entrepreneurial and reward
those that demonstrate initiative
towards marketing their ideas
ATPSNEWS 19

ATPS National Coordinators
CAMEROON
Mr. Sylvester Ndeso Atanga
Lecturer, Epidemology & Public HealthFaculty of Health Sciences
University of Buea
P.O. Box 63
South West Province
Republic of Cameroon
Tel/Fax: 237 32 2595
E-mail: ndemasa2001@yahoo.com
ETHIOPIA
Dr. Dejene Aredo
Associate Professor of Economics
Addis Ababa University
P.O. Box 1176
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel. Office: 251-1-551163
Fax No.: 251-1-551399
E-mail: aredodejene@yahoo.com

P. O. Box 30568
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel office: 254-2-216947
Fax: 254-2-215349
Email: agacuhi1@yahoo.com

LESOTHO
Prof. Zacharia A. Matsela
Professor of Education
National University of Lesotho
P.O. Roma 180
Lesotho
Tel office: 266-340601
Fax: 266-340000
Email: care of Limakatso Rankol.ranko@nul.ls

THE GAMBIA
Mr. Ernest R. Aubee
Fase Programme
UNDP
Kofi Annan Street, Cape Point
Bakau, The Gambia
Tel Office: 220 495071/74/89
Fax: 220 494758
E-mail: ilo@ganet.gm

NIGERIA
Dr. Michael C. Madukwe
Associate Professor
Department of Agricultural Extension
University of Nigeria
Nsukka, Enugu State
Nigeria
Tel office: 234-042-771019
Fax: 234-042-771500
Email: natps@hyperia.com or
madukwe@hyperia.com

GHANA
Dr. Abeeku Brew-Hammond
Acting Director
Kumasi Institute of Technology
and Environment
P. O. Box 6534
Kumasi, Ghana
Tel office: 233-51-33824/60232
Fax: 233-5-60232/26026
E-Mail: kite@ghana.com

NIGERIA
Prof. Femi Olokesusi
Nigerian Institute for Socialand Economic Research (NISER)
P.M.B 5 UI Post Office
Oyo Road, Ojoo
Ibadan, Nigeria
Tel office: 234-2-8103345/8102904
Fax: 234-2-2413121
Email: olokesus@niser.org.ng

KENYA
Mr. Alex R. Gacuhi
Ministry of Education, Science & Technology

SENEGAL
Mr. Cheikh Ly
Ecole Veterinaire de Dakar
Eishv B.P 5077

Dakar, Senegal
Tel: 221 637 1162/270062
E-mail:chly@refer.sn
SIERRA LEONE
Mr. Chris Squire
c/o Computech, 22 Pultney St.
P.O. Box 603
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Tel office: 232-22-227831
Fax: 232-22-227453
Email: Chris@sierratel.sl

SWAZILAND
Dr. Musa Dube
University of Swaziland
Faculty of Agriculture
Luyengo Campus
P. O. Luyengo, Swaziland
Tel office: 268-5283021-3
Fax: 268-83021/83441
Email: MADUBE@agric.uniswa.sz
TANZANIA
Mrs. Bitrina D. Diyamett
Senior Scientific Officer
COS TECH
P.O. Box 32183
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel Office: 007 222 700745
Fax: 007 222 775313
E-mail: Bitrind@yahoo.com
UGANDA
Dr. Z.M. Nyiira
Executive Secretary
Uganda National Council for Science &Technology
76 Buganda Road
P. O. Box 6884
Kampala, Uganda
Tel office: 256-41-250431/250499
Fax: 256-41-234579
Email: Uncst@starcom.co.ug

Edited by: Lily Aduke | Proofreader: Lucy Mwangi | Design & Layout: Sammy Mwirigi | Printed by: Majestic Printers

How you can reach usrd
The ATPS Secretariat is located on 3 Floor, The Chancery, Valley Road.
Telephone numbers 254-020-2714092/2714168/271498, Fax: 254-020-2714028,
Email: info@atpsnet.org, Website:http:// www.atpsnet.org