news

ATPS
Issue No. 14
Jun. - Dec. 2003

The Newsletter ofAfrican Technology Policy Studies Network

ATPS Discusses Science and Technology andFood Security in Maseru, Lesotho
Africa has more countries with food security
problems than any other region.
Of the 44 countries with poor or critical foodsecurity, 30 are in Africa. Present trends
would mean that the number of chronicallyundernourished in sub-Saharan Africa would
rise from 180 to 300 million by 2010.
During the 2003 ATPS Annual Conference
and Workshop in Maseru, Lesotho, ATPS
assembled researchers, policy makers,
members of parliament, government
representatives and development agencies
from Africa and the diaspora to discuss how
science and technology can be deployed totackle food insecurity in Africa. The
Government of Lesotho, through the
Ministry of Communications, Science andTechnology co-hosted the event that took
place from 10 to 15 November 2003 at the
Lesotho Sun Hotel.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, theMinister for Communication, Science andTechnology, Honourable Dr 'Mamphono
Khaketla, lauded the choice of the theme,
Science and Technology and Food Security in
Africa, saying that it was not only timely but
also relevant, considering the current
economic predicament that Africa is facing.
Bringing the issue closer home, MinisterIn thisissue“Welcome to Lesotho”, says Hon Dr ‘Mamphono Khaketla,
Minister for Communication, Science and Technology

Khaketla revealed that Lesotho suffered
severe drought over the last two planting
seasons leading to poor harvest. “Thetheme hits very close to the bone for us in
Lesotho, “ She bemoaned.
The minister clarified that food security
does not merely refer to effective
production of crops and animal products,
but also to various ways of storing andpreserving foods for local and regionaluse. She challenged Africa to undertake
critical studies into indigenous and current
systems of food production, storage andpreservation. “The time has come for us tothink of more innovative and technologydriven ways of ensuring better food

ATPS Expanding to South & West Africa
ATPS/RMRDC Workshop
ATPS Legal Status as International Centre
Chapter NewsInternship

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security,” she reiterated.
Explaining the choice of the theme, Dr Osita
Ogbu, the Executive Director of ATPS, said
that each year ATPS chooses an issue ofcritical importance to the reconstruction anddevelopment of Africa for deliberation
during the annual conference. He
expounded that the Network has been in theforefront of reminding and agitating
governments in Africa and development
agencies to recognize the critical role ofscience and technology in the development
agenda. “We have been prying open
strategic initiatives, such as the poverty
reduction strategic papers and other plans toreveal their futility without adequate roleassigned to knowledge generation and use,and science and technology in meeting theobjectives of these plans,” revealed Ogbu.
The ATPS Executive Director added that
ATPS Board does not just remind those inauthority about the role of science andtechnology in economic and social
reconstruction of Africa, “We insist andsometimes lobby,” he stressed. He adjoinedthat the pitch of the message has now beenraised and the message is beginning to hit
home. Ogbu was optimistic that even though
the Network has a long way to go, there aresigns that, “Many of Africa's new leaders arepaying increasing attention to science andShe brought to light the situation in the Hornof Africa, saying that Ethiopia and Eritrea areexperiencing increased food insecurity with
between 12 to 14 million people estimatedto be at risk.

Though the picture looks grim, the ATPS
Chair pointed out that proper use ofscience and technology would, no doubt,
deliver the kind of agricultural revolution
needed to feed the hungry and growing
population of Africa. She explained thatthe role of ATPS in emphasizing capacity
building in a deliberate attempt to generatea critical mass of experts who can evaluate
and manage science and technology inAfrica is key to overcoming technologicalconstraints.

Besides technological breakthrough,
Olembo emphasized the importance ofpolicy improvements and political goodwill
in Africa to provide an enabling
environment for science and technology to

Science and technology can make substantial
contributions to the effective development in Africa,
yet lack of deliberate technological learning andimplementation of technological policies that are inline with domestic economic problems and thechallenges remain a major problem.
To enhance these contributions, priority should beaccorded to at least five domains. These are humanresources development, increased investments, andestablishment of suitable institutions, formulation
and adoption of appropriate policies and intercountry cooperation within and outside Africa.

THE 5 DOMAINSTO S & T DEVELOPMENT

2 ATPSNEWS

ulation and adoption of appropriate poli

Stressing the urgent need to address foodsecurity in Africa, Prof Norah Olembo, theChair of the ATPS Board cited the disturbing
statistics from the World Hunger Report
2003. She recounted that the southern partof Africa, comprising Lesotho, Malawi,
Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia andZimbabwe are facing serious food shortages,
with some 14.5 million people requiring
emergency food aid. Olembo, according to
the paper, further disclosed that in Lesothoalone, 650 000 people, representing 30% of
the population are in need of food aid and thenumbers are projected to increase.

Olembo reminded the participants that theissue was not only serious but also
humanitarian in nature. “The numbers I
have mentioned are not mere statistics;
they represent our brothers and sisters
dying because they don't have enoughfood to last them one day, “ she appealed.

thrive. “It is my hope that as our politicianslearn more and more about the need toaccord priority to science and technology,
they will channel the much-needed capital
investment to scientific research anddevelopment, education and training of
scientists,” she lobbied.

human
resourcesdeveloan resources
development,
increased investments,
easedestablishment
investments,of suitab
formulationandadoptio institutions,blishmentofsuitableinter-country cooperatio

technology, but more importantly, they are
beginning to pay attention to what African
scientists say.”

The International Livestock ResearchInstitute (ILRI), the United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA),
the Federal Ministry of Science andTechnology of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria (FMST), the United Nations
University/Institute for New Technology(UNU/INTECH) were among the institutions
represented in the meeting.
This was not the first meeting that ATPS
convened in Lesotho. In June 2003, theNetwork conducted a successful training
workshop for the entire parliament of theKingdom of Lesotho.
Khotso Peace be with you!

ATPS Expands to Southern Africa
and Franco-phone West Africa
The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) now
boasts of presence in francophone West African countries ofBenin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Mali; lusophone
Mozambique and other English-speaking countries further south
including Botswana.
The concentration of ATPS in 15 anglophone countries, namely,
Cameroon, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho,
Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda,
Zambia and Zimbabwe, mainly has been because of resource
constraints. To be truly African, ATPS had to expand into
francophone West Africa where there is diverse researchtradition and an active civil society. In 2002, only Cameroon and
Senegal joined the Network, bringing the total to 17 countries.
This expansion brings the total number of countries that
constitute the Network to 22, creating an institution that is viableand distinct in sub-Saharan Africa. When ATPS became
autonomous in 2001, the Board approved the programme ofgradual expansion of national chapters to be implemented inphases depending on the availability of resources and thereadiness of the countries to constitute a chapter.
The unique approach of working through national chapters gives
greater autonomy and increases impact in member countries.
This not only makes for demand driven programmes, but also
firmly establishes the ownership of the network from the bottom
upward.
National chapters identify national science and technology policy
research priorities in their countries, design national research
programmes based on identified priorities and monitor andreport on the implementation of the ATPS-funded national
research activities. National chapters are also charged withresponsibility of raising funds to develop and implement thechapter activities. National chapter memberships includes
persons from universities, national research bodies, nongovernmental organizations, individual scholars and government
officials.
ATPS relies on the services of a voluntary national coordinatordrawn from national research institutions, government
departments or universities to provide intellectual andadministrative leadership. The coordinators hold permanent
jobs in their home countries and only devote part of their timeto network activities.
Besides providing overall leadership in ATPS member
countries, national coordinators mobilize human and otherresources to support research, dissemination, training, policy
dialogue and other chapter activities. They also facilitate
interaction between researchers, policy makers and private
sector entrepreneurs to forge links and advance science andtechnology in their respective countries. Other duties include
organizing peer review workshops to analyze ATPS proposals
and monitor progress on funded ATPS projects.
According to the ATPS Executive Director, Dr Osita Ogbu, thenational chapters have become the wellspring of new ideas andthe bedrock of policy linkages and capacity building. He
confirms that with closer supervision and support from thesecretariat, the national chapters are increasingly delivering
more outputs with fewer resources.
However, ATPS also uses regional programmes including,Strengthening National ICT Policies in Africa: Governance andInstitutional Issues, to reach other African countries and also totest the viability of establishing national chapters once these
programmes end.
ATPS traces its beginnings to the Vienna Convention of 1979
that articulated the need for technology policy research
capacity in Africa. This led to the creation of two networks, theEastern and Southern African Technology Policy Studies
Network (EATPS) and the West African Technology Policy
Studies Network (WATPS) that were initiated in the 1980s tostrengthen research skills of indigenous researchers, tostimulate interest in technology policy research, and to help
disseminate research results. The two networks became
precursors to the African Technology Policy Network (ATPS).
Since its inception, there have been calls and encouragementthat ATPS transforms into an independent institution, awayfrom the shadow of IDRC. ATPS was registered in August
2000.

ATPSNEWS 3

The ATPS/RMRDC Training Workshop on
Science & Technology Research Methodology,
Policy Planning, Analysis and Implementation

In attendance; Dr. O. Ogbu, Hon Prof T. Isoun, Prof M. Madukwe, Capt Maduka and Dr A. Abdullahi at the ATPS/RMRDC workshop in Nigeria

The Honourable Minister of Science andTechnology, Nigeria and the African
Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)
Board member, Prof. T. T. Isoun, officiallyopened the training Workshop on Scienceand Technology Research Methodology,
Policy Planning, Analysis and
Implementation, that took place from 29
September to 3 October, 2003 at the Protea
Hotel.
The workshop that was jointly organized by
ATPS in collaboration with the Raw Materials
Research and Development Council(RMRDC), Nigeria attracted participantsfrom the civil service, local universities, themilitary, research institutions, the legislative
arm of government and the senate andHouse of Representatives.
A one-day sensitization forum preceded theworkshop with members of the National
Assembly in attendance. The Executive
Director of ATPS, Dr Osita Ogbu, spoke on:
Science and Technology Policy for Nigeria's
Reconstruction - A dialogue with policy
makers and legislators. The ED pointed outthat science and technology (S&T) is central
to Nigeria's reconstruction and policy makers
and implementers need to be in constantdialogue with each other if any
reconstruction is to happen. He stated that
4 ATPSNEWS

the system that delivers Nigeria's public
goods would need to be re-engineered forbetter services.
The ED stressed that the leadership fromthe executive down to heads oforganizations, should play a more activerole in actualizing technologicaldevelopment by coming up with identified
goals and mobilizing resources to achieve
the goals. He implored Nigerian leaders to
insist on benchmarks and milestones forskills and technology transfer with respect
to foreign direct investments, joint
ventures and other such investment ormanagement agreements. This requires
commitment, supervision and monitoring.
He added that the whole essence of theforum is to come together and discuss
ways of promoting and using science andtechnology to address the knowledge gap
in Nigeria.
The Honourable Minister, in his keynote
address, said that Nigerian scientists excel
outside the country, and that the real issue
was how to create an enabling
environment to influence them to comehome. He added that the wealth of a nation
is no longer measured by her natural
resource endowment but by theknowledge, talents and skills of thecitizens.
He said that information
technology, biotechnology and spacescience are the top priority areas in scienceand technology efforts in Nigeria.
The Director-General and Chief Executive
Officer of RMRDC, Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar
Abdullahi in his welcome address advocatedfor a multi-disciplinary approach to policy
research and stressed the importanceRMRDC and the Federal Ministry of Scienceand Technology attach to the collaboration
with ATPS.
Several technical papers were presented andit became evident that progress in scienceand technology development in Nigeria isslow and there is need to answer thefollowing questions:
Why are we where we are; andWhere are we supposed to be and how do
we get there?
The workshop participants recommended aknowledge-driven economy with an efficientpublic sector and a robust private sector; acountry with an efficient system for thedelivery of public goods and a private sector
that can compete with the best in the world
as factors that would accelerate progress inscience and technology in Nigeria.

ATPS Gets New Legal Status
as an International Centre

global development, the need for strengthening local andregional capacity through research, training and sharing
of information in the field of science and technology andpolicy strategies cannot be overemphasized.”He also noted with gratification that ATPS has not worked
in isolation but continues to collaborate with national
universities, research institutions and the Ministry of
Education, Science and Technology. He also appreciatedthe fact that the network has extended research grants toover 27 Kenyans. Responding to these remarks, Ogbu said
that the signing of the agreement was a landmark. “This is
a day we can safely say that we are settled in Kenya,” heannounced.

“Now we recognize you as an international institution in
Kenya” says Kalonzo Musyoka, Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Dr Osita Ogbu, ED, ATPS
Wednesday, 3 December 2003 was a historical day for the
African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) when theyoung institution was declared a full-fledged internationalorganization. Signed by Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, the Kenyan
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Dr Osita Ogbu, the Executive
Director of ATPS, the host-country agreement offers theinstitution several practical advantages that will allow it tooperate more efficiently.
The agreement consists of ten articles that clearly establish
the framework for activities conducted from ATPS
headquarters in Nairobi. This covers cooperation between
the institution and the government and funding
arrangements along with goods and labor regulations fornational and international staff. It also stipulatesinternational institution immunities and privileges allowedby the Government of Kenya.
During his speech prior to the signing of the agreement at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices in Nairobi, Minister
Musyoka said that the Government of Kenya appreciates andrecognizes the important mission of ATPS of capacity building
by enhancing and promoting scientific, technology and policy
research in the continent.
The minister lauded the pivotal role that ATPS plays saying,“At a time when innovative research has become a pillar of

Introducing ATPS as a “young institution with a long
history”, Ogbu narrated that the institution was founded
in 1994 under the auspices of the International
Development Research Centre (IDRC). He added that the
network became autonomous in October 2001 and though
it had taken a bit of time, he was glad and thankful to theGovernment of Kenya that the agreement has now been
finalized.
Ogbu also explained that ATPS resources are not only
spent on research but also on training members ofparliament. He revealed that he had contacted the
Speaker of National Assembly, Hon Francis ole Kaparo,suggesting how best to introduce science and technology
issues to parliament. “This has been done in othercountries and now we hope to do so in our host countryKenya, because the message is important,” he added.
Ogbu clarified that as an institution, the role of ATPS is toprovide services to governments, parliamentarians,
researchers and policy makers and also to act as a broker
in issues of science and technology. “ATPS is unique in thisbecause the core mandate is on science and technology
policy and not on science itself without policy,” he said.
To conclude, Musyoka indicated that the granting of the
diplomatic status to ATPS was a fairly deliberate movebecause the government means to continue making
Nairobi the diplomatic hub in the continent, “and bysigning this agreement you have effected this,” hestressed.

ATPSNEWS 5

Chapter news
Nigeria: Media luncheon Nigeria: Scientific
Revival Day in Africa
All stakeholders in the science and technology sector
need to review their achievements, targets andchallenges, said Prof Femi OIokesusi during thecommemoration of the Scientific Revival Day in Africa on
11 September, 2003 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Official opening of ATPS Workshop on “S&T Popularization and the Media” in Nigeria
The press in Nigeria can potentially play an important role
In disseminating scientific research results but this roleremains largely unfulfilled among the nation's newspapers
due to lack of skilled science and Technology journalists.
Realizing the role of potential popular science writers, the
ATPS Nigeria Chapter held a one-day media
luncheon/workshop at the Nigerian Natural Medicine
Development Agency (NNMDA), Victoria Island, Lagos on
15 August 2003. The theme of the workshop was
Popularisation of Science and Technology (S & T) for
Sustainable National Development
The main objective of the workshop was to expose
journalists to the art and science of reporting in Nigeria.
The chapter hoped that by the end of the event, journalists
would be better positioned to write and address scienceand technology policy issues based on greater knowledgeof the significance and peculiarities of the sector. It wasalso expected that enthusiasm among journalists would
have been created for the purpose of networking,advocacy, lobbying and public awareness on the workshop
theme. The workshop had 30 participants, eight of them
representing seven media houses and eight resource
persons. At the end of the workshop, participants maderecommendations on how the objectives could be realized:
through Investigative reporting, evaluation of existing andproposed S&T innovation. It was also agreed that ATPS
should institute an annual award for the best media reports(print and electronic) on S&T policy issues.

In his speech, Prof Femi OIokesusi, the Associate
National Coordinator of the A TPS Nigeria Chapter, said
that Africa had experienced prolonged recession fromthe late 1980s before a marginal recovery in 2000 due toimprovement in macroeconomic stability, conflict
management and debt relief under the Highly Indebted
Poor Countries (HIPCs) initiative.
Giving chemistry as an example, Prof Olokesusi pointed
out that historically Africa was always involved inscience. He encouraged Africans not to be S&T
importers and consumers, but also take up the challenge
and try out their hand in inventing. He hoped that the
ATPS network should unlock Africa's wealth through the
instrumentation of S&T policy.
He praised the renewed momentum given to S&T under
the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
framework.
Participants were drawn from the federal and stateministries of science and technology, universities,
polytechnics, research institutes and the private sector.
Prof G.B. Ogunrnola, a renowned chemist attached to the
Nigerian Academy of Science, was among them.

...Prof Olokesusi pointed outthat historically Africa wasalways involved in science
6 ATPSNEWS

Chapter news
Ghana: Roundtabledeveloping S&T in Ghana. He said that the country
needed to do a lot more to enforce the policy on
acculturation of S&T.
The National Coordinator of ATPS Ghana, Dr George
Essegbey, reiterated that the aim of the roundtableconference was to take stock of Ghana's S&T
application, development and management particularly
with reference to the National Science and Technology
Policy document. He also said that the function offeredan opportunity to brainstorm on the options foraccelerating the achievement of Ghana's S&T
aspirations.

Ghana Chapter Roundtable Conference participants“It is no longer debatable that the world today moves onscience and technology," acknowledged the Honourable
Minister for Environment and Science, Ghana, Prof Kasim
Kasanga.
Kasanga made these remarks when he was officially
opening the ATPS Ghana Chapter roundtable discussion
on "The National Science and Technology Policy
Implementation Challenges and the Future" on 2
December 2003.
He informed the participants that Ghana's position onscience and technology (S&T) was sufficiently captured in
the president's address to parliament in December 2002.
He stated that, "The need to transform our consumer
dominated economy to a producer-dominated one is anoverriding objective, and the use of science andtechnology offers the most viable means of achieving thisthrough the principle of mastering, adopting known
technologies, as well as developing new ones."
The Honourable Minister was emphatic that theroundtable was expected to provide an important basis forrenewing efforts to map out the way forward for

Dr Rexford Osei, Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoringand Evaluation (PPME) of the Ministry of Environment
and Science presented the paper on Ghana's Scienceand Technology Policy. He noted, among other things,
that S&T is key to the economic development of thecountry. He also said that even though someachievements have been made, a more vigorous
implementation strategy for S&T policy objectives mustbe fashioned to guide institutions and other stakeholders
to enhance development in the country. Osei, in his
presentation, proposed the appointment of the Science
Advisor to the President, the establishment of apresidential ministerial commissions on science andtechnology policy as some of the key issues that needcritical attention. The discussions that followed aimed atsummarizing concerns, comments and contributions ofparticipants regarding the issues discussed. At the endof the session recommendations were made and acommuniqué issued.
About 35 participants attended the roundtable. They
comprised of researchers, lecturers, policy makers andother stakeholders interested in improving S&T policy
formulation and management of technology applicationand development in the country.

...enforce the policy on
acculturation of Science& Technology
ATPSNEWS 7

ATPS pictorial

Participants at the First National Media Workshop/Luncheon held
Discusing S&T matters; Hon Prof Kilemi Mwiria, Assistant Minister for Education, Science & Technology,
Kenya, and Prof Norah Olembo, ATPS Chair during ATPS cocktail

ATPS Annual Conference closing dinner; Hon Dr ‘Mamphono Khaketla; Prof Z. Matsela, Lesotho National
Coordinator; and Prof Norah Olembo, Chair, ATPS Board.

Charlotte Wonani, ATPS Zambia Chapter Coordinator, conferring wi
Arusha, Tanzania

Prof N. Olembo; Mr T. Mokela, Permanent Secretary, MCST; Hon Dr M. Khaketla; Dr O. Ogbu andProf O. Saasa in Maseru

ATPS Secretariat staff during a social function

in Lagos, Nigeria

ATPS collaborates with IDEP; Dr Diery Seck, Director, IDEP and Dr Osita Ogbu, Executive Director, ATPS at
the training workshop, Dakar, Senegal

Great minds think alike; Dr O. Ogbu with Dr A. Mulei, Governor, Central Bank, and Board members, Prof
O. Saasa and Prof S. Wangwe

ith fellow workshop participants during a regional workshop,

Basotho women cultural dance group (Sholchibo) performing during the closing of 2003 ATPS Workshop,
LesothoDakarWorkshop
Science and technology can make substantial contributions
to Africa's development yet lack of deliberate technologicallearning and implementation of technological policies thatare in line with domestic economic problems andchallenges remain major problems.
The African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS) approached
the United Nations Institute for Economic Development andPlanning (IDEP) to collaborate in organizing a one-weektraining programme for french-speaking West African
researchers and policy makers. The second among aseries of planned training workshops, the ATPS/IDEP
Atelier de formation sur Ia methodologie de Recherche
Scientific et Technologique et la Politique de laPlanification, d'Analyse et de Mise en Application de lascience et de Ia technologie was held in Dakar, Senegal
from 8-11 July 2003.
There were five important objectives for holding themeeting:> To extend ATPS' reach to french-speaking West Africa
and prepare the ground for eventual expansion (which
has now taken place);> To equip policy makers and researchers with basic skills
on how science and technology (S& T) policy can be
integrated into economic policy planning and theimplications for growth;> To explore basic understanding of the systems ofinnovation and its use for policy planning;> To improve research proposal writing and presentation
skills: and> To bridge the communication gap between researcher
and policy makers.
Participants, comprising researchers and policy makers
were drawn from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Coted'Ivoire and Senegal. Three researchers and two policy
makers were invited from each country with resource
persons coming from ATPS Nigeria Chapter and the United
Nations University/Institute for New Technologies(UNU/INTECH). The selection criteria for the participants
includes among other things gender, education, and parent
organization to ensure that the level of interaction between
participants and exchange of information is wholesome andbeneficial. As a training institute, IDEP's facilities are
excellent, providing logistical support and simultaneous

10 ATPSNEWS

Training workshop resource persons: Prof M. Madukwe, Dr O. Ogbu, Dr M. Khalil, Prof B.
Oyeyinka and Dr S. Atangainterpretation and translation services. In line with one ofits strategic priorities, popularization and outreach, ATPS
also took advantage of the meeting to identify potential
national coordinators for the six countries represented in
the workshop. Two national coordinators, Prof M.
Madukwe from Nigeria and Dr Ndeso Atanga from
Cameroon outlined the operations of the national
chapters and the role of national coordinators in the
network then encouraged participants to apply for thevacant positions.
The ATPS Board, during its session in November 2003,
approved the appointment of national coordinators for
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Mali, andSenegal.
ATPS has initiated a series of pilot training courses thatwill focus on the interaction of science and technology
with public policy. The training courses are aimed attargeting the various categories of policy makers,
bureaucrats, and technocrats.
A TPS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the UNU/INTECH to collaborate in designingmodular training programs on science, technology andinnovation policy in Africa. With the assistance of thenational chapters, ATPS has also entered into similar
understanding with other organizations like Institute forDevelopment Studies (IDS) in Zimbabwe and the
Lesotho Ministry of Science and Technology to holdsimilar trainings for their technocrats and members ofparliament. These ventures give the Network a morevigorous regional and international presence.

Intern Profiles
JAMES MAINAJames Maina came to ATPS in July, 2003 from theUnited States International University (USIU). He
trained under the Finance and Administration
Manager where his duties included financial
analysis, raising payments, reconciliation andbalance sheet preparation, among others. During
his stay he learned how to use the Pastel Accounting
Software, an addition to his knowledge on computer
software. He acknowledged the solidarity and the
support that he received from the staff members. He
hopes to graduate this year (2004) with a Bachelorof Science in International Business Administration.

SYLVIA MTANGE
Sylvia Mtange is pursuing a Bachelor of Commercein Business Administration degree at Maseno
University. During her internship, she was involved
in several assignments including raising payments,
contract transactions and reception work. She also
assisted in organizing workshops. Mtange
acknowledges that experience from ATPS wasinvaluable. She too, was attached to the Finance andAdministration Department.

PhD Fellow
WARIGIA BOWMAN
Warigia Bowman, a PhD student at the Kennedy
School of Government, Harvard University, USA wasin ATPS for three months. Bowman who is in theprocess of collecting data for her thesis paper
commended ATPS for the conducive environment
and the support she received from all the membersof the secretariat in making her research work a
success. She also wrote a proposal “Women, Scienceand Technology in Africa”, during her stay. ATPS
appreciates her contribution.

The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) internship programme
continues to offer pre-employment experience to various students from different
learning institutions. The objective of this initiative is to help the student encounter,
analyze and evaluate issues in their chosen occupations and also to acquire
extensive professional experience.
One of the interns, Sylvia Mtange from Maseno University, Kenya, concurred that
this is a step forward in her profession since it helps to build confidence andcompetence through practical exercises. This initiative also offers a breakthrough forthe students to put into practice, the knowledge, skills and attitude that they havebeen learning during course work. The ATPS programme is a reciprocalarrangement that gives the student and the supervisor a beneficial experience thatinvolves real and continuous responsibilities with outlined expectations. This mutual
relationship gives students an opportunity to exchange ideas in return for a wellbalanced exposure and an enriched resume. The three-month internship also
provides a well-structured work experience, including workplace readiness, staff
relations, students leadership preparation programme and a wide range ofprofessional activities.
Sylvia Mtange and James Maina from United States of International University,
agreed that it was a substantial and diverse experience-generating programmefrom the secretariat and national chapters through the various assignments. The
programme also presented an evaluation of the status of the student's career with acompetitive strategy on how to be successful in the job market. The interns
pinpointed the good rapport and solidarity of the staff members that created a
comfortable environment for their practice. They recommended the programme as
successful, well planned with structured achievable goals and objectives
Presently, higher learning institutions encourage their students to join different
organizations for internship to sharpen their skills, and explore their knowledge intheir fields of specialization. This initiative gives a chance to students in their final
year to fulfil their requirements for their course work.

...this initiative is to help thestudent encounter, analyze andevaluate issues in their chosen
occupations...

Internship
ATPSNEWS 11

Expansion of National Chapters
SENEGAL
In November 22, 2003 the ATPS Board appointed Dr Medou Diakhaté as the National
Coordinator for Senegal Chapter. He holds a PhD in Economics from American
University, Washington D.C, Masters in Economics, University of Dakar and a
Government Finance Statistics Course from the International Monetary Fund,
Washington DC. He won the Jose D. Epstein Award in Development Banking. Dr
Diakhaté’s vast experience from different institutions in Africa and globally will benefit
the Senegal Chapter in monitoring the progress of research. He has worked withgovernmental, non-governmental, and international institutions including the West
Africa Development Bank, Ministry of Economics and Finance, the American University, among others. Presently, heheads the Secretariat for Institutional Support for Economic Research in Africa and is also an external lecturer at theAfrican Institute for Economic Development and Planning, Senegal.

COTE D'IVORE
Dr Arsene Kouadio Konan, a Professor at University of Abidjan, has been appointed tothe position of the National Coordinator of the new ATPS Chapter in Cote d'ivore. He will
be responsible for providing the overall leadership for the chapter activities, including
mobilizing human and financial resources, organizing activities and drawing up a yearlynational activity plan. He holds a PhD in Economics from University of Montreal,
Canada, Masters in Demography and has a Statistics Engineering Degree from Superior
National School of Statistics and Applied Economics. He is also a consultant withvarious national and international organizations including the African Development
Bank, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children's
Fund, among others.

BENIN
The confirmation of Dr Roch L. Mongbo as the National Coordinator was a great step
forward for the newly-created ATPS Benin Chapter. Currently Mongbo is the
Coordinator of Le Forum International pour le Développement et l'Echange de Savoir etde Savoir-faire au Service d'une Promotion Rurale (FIDESPRA), and the Executive
Director of Le Centre Béninois pour l'Environnement et le Développement Economique etSocial (CEBEDES) with 18 years of experience in practical and field training. His
experience in senior management positions will benefit this new chapter in planning andmanagement of its responsibilities. He holds a PhD in Agronomic and Environmental
Sciences and a Masters Degree in Management of Agricultural Knowledge Systems from
Wageningen University, Netherlands. He also holds a Masters in Rural Economics and Sociology from International
Institute for Tropic Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Nigeria. He is involved in the design, implementing and coordination ofseveral projects including poverty alleviation and food security, natural resources management, institution
decentralization and local development among others. Mongbo is also a member of research networks and associations,and a consultant for both international and national organizations.

12 ATPSNEWS

We have been prying open strategic
initiatives, such as the poverty
reduction strategic papers and otherstrategic plans...

Expansion of National Chapters
BOTSWANADr John Mothibi is the new National Coordinator of the ATPS Botswana Chapter. His 13 years of experience frominternational and governmental organizations will enhance the planning and management of the chapter activities. He
holds a PhD from University of Cape Town, MBA in Project Management from University of Dundee, UK and a Degree
in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia. Mothibi, a lecturer at the University of
Botswana, has been a team leader of different projects in his home country. He is also a member of Evaluation of
Botswana Technology Centre, the Senate of University of Botswana and serves as a board member of the Botswana
Telecommunications Authority.

MOZAMBIQUE
In November 2003, the ATPS Board confirmed Mr Lourino Chemane as the National
Coordinator of the newly formed Mozambique ATPS Chapter. Chemane holds a
Masters Degree in Electronic Engineering from University of Pretoria and is currently
pursuing a PhD programme on a part-time basis at the University of Stockholm,
Sweden. He is a Certified CISCO Network Associate and a member of the Institute forElectrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE). Chemane is a consultant for variousorganizations and his wide experience will help in setting up the chapter offices andcoordinating the activities. As the National Coordinator, he will facilitate interaction
between researchers, policy makers and the private sector to forge links that will advancescience and technology in Mozambique and consequently Africa. Chemane is not new to the activities of ATPS and iscurrently serving as the Mozambique team leader for the project: Strengthening National ICT Policy in Africa.

MALI
Dr Sidiki Gabriel Dembélé, a senior lecturer at the Rural Polytechnic Institute forTraining and Applied Research (IPR/IFRA) of the University of Mali, Katibougou, is the
newly appointed National Coordinator for the ATPS Mali Chapter. Demebélé is a
specialist in soil fertility management, production of organic fertilizers and agronomicand economic efficacy in the use of fertilizers.
Demebélé has held senior positions in local and international research institutions
including Expérimenter et promouvoir l'approche d'assainissement écologique (ECOSAN)
and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF). He has a PhD in
agrochemistry and a Masters Degree in science. Demebélé brings a good knowledge of science and technology issues
that will be an asset to setting up the new chapter.

BURKINA FASO
The ATPS Board has appointed Dr Benôit Kabore, a Professor of Psychology at the
University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to assume the leadership of the national
chapter. Kabore holds a doctorate in education from the University of Montreal, Canada.
He has worked in various capacities locally and internationally: at the University of
Burkina Faso as a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Training, Research and Humanities andas a research assistant in education at the University of Montreal. He was honoured with'décoré chevalier de l'ordre du mérite du Burkina (an award in recognition of achievements
made for the benefit of the society). The ATPS Network is confident that his wide
experience and knowledge will drive the chapter into greater accomplishments inadvancing issues of science and technology policy in Burkina Faso.
ATPSNEWS 13

Appointments
Ms YOLONDA C.
RICHARDSON
A member of the ATPS Board, Ms
Yolonda Richardson, has been
appointed to head the Center for
Development and Population
Activities (CEDPA) from October27, 2003. Richardson holds a MBAin Public Health from Columbia
University and Jurist Doctorate from Yale University School of Law.
She also received a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude,from Dillard University in New Orleans. Richardson has beencommitted to social development in Africa and globally, she
served as specialist counsel for the African Development
Foundation, and from 1999-2000 as Senior Vice President ofAfricare, where she oversaw programme design, implementationand evaluation of more than 150 development projects
throughout Africa. She also spent ten years at the Carnegie
Corporation of New York, a global fund foundation, where she
managed an international grant programme. Richardson
continues to be a member of different associations and currently
serves on the boards of several national and internationalorganizations. ATPS wishes her well in her new position.

Ms SHEILA MAINA
The secretariat is pleased toannounce the promotion of Ms
Sheila Maina to Research andTraining Manager from 1
September 2003. She joined
ATPS in October 2000 as
Research Officer under IDRC
and assumed the same position
when ATPS became autonomous in 2001. She has broughtessential skills to the management of training and research
activities, information technology, financial accounting andother administrative duties. Maina will take greater
responsibility in managing research activities, national chapters
programmes, training activities, fund raising and donor
reporting. She holds a Masters degree in Management Sciencefrom California State University and a BSBA (Bsc, Business
Administration) Marketing from the American University,
Washington DC.

Date

Event

Venue

February 12 2004

ATPS Policy Dialogue on Kenya’s
Economic Recovery Strategy

Nairobi, Kenya

May 24 - 27 2004

Science Reporters Workshop

Abuja, Nigeria

April/May 2004

Workshop

Sierra Leone

Why are we where we are; andWhere are we supposed to be
And how do we get there?
14 ATPSNEWSOn Golden Mountain
When nature lavishes its creative gifts
It sculptors rocks, lime and stones in jagged beauty
Protrusion of styles, formatted in mystery
Bowels in the earth as if crafted by celestial artistry
The golden mountain unfolds in befuddling formations
The visitor gazes in unrestrained adoration
To one married to the clouds at a ceremony concluded
In secret rituals attended by angels of the brave
Celebrated by night and days while the cosmos dance
The Golden mountain crawls right into your soulYour beauty inspires awes fear caution all at once
Indecipherable patterns as if hidden alphabets
Signals your form but how so little we are allowed to know
Of the hidden joys, pains, and the ballast that birthed
Golden mountain of Basotholand our hats are raisedYour paths weaves and curls taking in the elements
Of changing landscapes of extravagant beauty
Shrubs of different ilk competing with stones
In endless race of survival for space
The allure of the Golden mountain an irresistible pull
You live in endless dreams as time goes by
Treacherous sprawls meet with cascading clouds
Tease the eyes with sudden and dangerous turns and twists
Surprise is your game but beauty is your nameGolden Mountain none sees beneath the inscrutable gaze.

ATPSNEWS 15

ATPS National Coordinators
Botswana
Dr John Mothibi
Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering & Technology
University of Botswana
P/Bag 0061
Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: +267 3554348
Fax: +267 3952309
E-mail: mothibij@mopipi.ub.bw
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
Telefax: +237 32 2595
Email: ndemasa2001@yahoo.com
EthiopiaDr Dejene Aredo
Associate Professor of Economics
Addis Ababa University
P.O. Box 1176
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel:+251 1 551163
Fax: +251 1 551399
Email: aredodejene@yahoo.com
The Gambia
Mr Ernest R. Aubee
Fase Programme
UNDP
Kofi Annan Street, Cape Point
Bakau, The Gambia
Tel: +220 495071/74/89
Fax: +220 494758
Email: ilo@qanet.gm

LesothoProf Zacharia A. Matsela
Retired Professor of Education
National University of Lesotho
P.O. Roma 180
LesothoTel: +266 340601
Fax: +266 340000
Email: care of Limakatso Rankol.ranko@nul.ls

Tanzania
Mrs Bitrina D. Diyamett
Senior Scientific Officer
Tanzania Council for Science and Technology(COSTECH)
P.O. Box 32183
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: +007 222 700745
Fax: +007 222 775313
Email: bitrind@yahoo.com

Nigeria
Prof Michael C. Madukwe
Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension
University of Nigeria
Nsukka, Enugu State
Nigeria
Tel: +234 42 771019
Fax: +234 42 771500
Email: natps@hyperia.com or
madukwe@hyperia.com

UgandaDr Joseph Obua
Faculty of Forestry & Nature Conservation
Makerere University
P.O. Box 7062
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 41 543 647
Fax: +256 41 533 574
Email: obua@foresmuk.mak.ac.ug

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

ZambiaMs Charlotte M. Wonani
LecturerDevelopment Studies Dept.
University of Zambia
P.O. Box 32379
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 1 252514/292884
Fax: +260 1 253952
Email: cmwonani@yahoo.com

SenegalDr Medou Diakhaté
Consultant SISERA &External Lecturer - IDEPBP 12160 Dakar Senegal
Tel: +221 559 9589
Email: m_diakhate@hotmail.com

Ghana
Mr George Owusu Essegbey
Senior Scientific Secretary
STEPRI/C.S.I.R.
P.O. Box CT 519,
Accra, Ghana
Tel: +233 21 773856
Fax: +233 21 773068
Email: goessegbey@hotmail.com

Sierra Leone
Mr Chris Squire
Head, Dept of Mechanical Engineering
University of Sierra Leone
c/o Computech, 22 Pultney St.
P. O. Box 603
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Tel: +232 22 227831
Fax: +232 22 22 227453
Email: chris@sierratel.sl

Kenya
Mr. Alex R. Gacuhi
Director of Research
Ministry of Planning and National Development
P. O. Box 30568
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 216947
Fax:+254 20 215349
Email: agacuhi1@yahoo.com

Swaziland
Dr Musa Dube
Faculty of Agriculture
University of Swaziland
Luyengo Campus
P. O. Luyengo, Swaziland
Tel: +268 5283021-3
Fax: +268 83021/83441
Email: madube@agric.uniswa.sz

Zimbabwe
Mr Benson Zwizwai
Deputy Director
Institute of Development Studies
P. O. Box 880
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 4 333341/3
Fax: +263 4 333345
Email: bmzwizwai@science.uz.ac.zw

Edited by: Lily Aduke | Editorial Assistant: 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