Journalists with interest in science and Researchers in the country over the weekend benefitted from a capacity training on the innovation and research communication.
The 2-day workshop, organized by Software product Development Company, Heritors labs, in coolaborationwith the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the CSIR-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (STEPRI) and funded by the Research and Innovation System for Africa (RISA) Fund was to acquaint both groups on Research & Innovation, Socialization Communication Advocacy & Marketing (RISCAM)
Director for Science, Technology and Innovation of MESTI, Mr. Kwamena Essilfie Quaison called for enhanced collaboration between sector players as science has potential of largely contributing to development.
“We are committed to supporting the commercialization of research outputs, prototypes, inventions, and innovative ideas to create marketable products and services. We believe that current efforts being made to ensure effective collaboration will help to foster the development of the innovation ecosystem, promote skills development, and support entrepreneurship programs in Ghana, ultimately contributing to economic growth and development.” he said.
On his part, Research Scientist and Head, Commercialization and Information Division at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Gordon Akon-Yamga is encouraging Researchers and Scientists to prioritize engagements with media and also strive to simplify their messages and reports to help the populace better appreciate the work of researchers.
“The way you report and write on your work scientifically, you cannot present that to the general public to understand. If there is no understanding and you are sharing your knowledge you are not communicating, scientists now have to understand that you have to bring the message to this level, taking out all the jargons, all the technical language so that anybody who reads it, they understand what you are trying to say, that way we will be making the whole world enjoy that which we do”, he admonished researchers.
He also cautioned journalists to be accurate in their reportage and seek clarification from experts when they are not certain about a publication in order to prevent panic creation from science reportage.
Meanwhile, some researchers are advocating for a national research development fund to support industry research innovations. Presenting finding by a team of researchers on Research, Innovation, Socialization Communication Advocacy and Marketing, senior lecturer at the Department of Communication studies, University of Ghana, Dr. Abena Yeboah-Banin argues that there currently is a lack of patient funds that allow innovators the adequate time to fully implement their findings before demanding profit.
Heritors Labs Limited is a pioneering product development company that specialises in software engineering and serves as a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation. Heritors Labs is collaborating with the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund to support GIRC-Centre in its mission to translate research outputs, prototypes, inventions, and innovative ideas into standard marketable products and services through commercialization.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Edem Kojo
