Today, Tuesday 30th June 2020 marks the celebration of the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa (DSRA).
The DSRA is celebrated in accordance with the African Union resolution passed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July 1987.
The day is expected to be celebrated across Africa in remembrance of the continent’s great contribution to the rise and development of modern science and technology.
In a statement by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation to mark the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa, it noted that,”Scientific renaissance literally means re-awakening of science. This reminds us, that as a nation, we must recommit ourselves to the application of science and technology for national development.”
The local theme for the celebration of this year’s Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa is “Rethinking Food Security and Nutrition in the Midst of Covid-19 Pandemic”.
According to the Ministry, “It is very instructive that this year’s celebration has focused on food security and nutrition in these irregular times.”
Below is a statement:
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY 8 INNOVATION
Our Ref:
Tel:0302 – 666 049Post Office Box M232
Fax: 0302 – 688 913/ 688 663Ministries, Accra
E-mail: [email protected]Ghana
Website:myw.mesti.gov.gh Republic of Ghana
June 30, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DAY OF SCIENTIFIC RENAISSANCE OF AFRICA (DSRA)
RETHINKING FOOD SECURITYAND NUTRITION IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Today, Tuesday 30th June 2020 marks the celebration of the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa (DSRA). The DSRA is celebrated in accordance with the African Union resolution passed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July 1987. The day is expected to be celebrated across Africa in remembrance of the continent’s great contribution to the rise and development of modern science and technology. Scientific renaissance literally means re-awakening of science. This reminds us, that as a nation, we must recommit ourselves to the application of science and technology for national development.
The local theme for the celebration of this year’s Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa is “Rethinking Food Security and Nutrition in the Midst of Covid-19 Pandemic”. It is very instructive that this year’s celebration has focused on food security and nutrition in these irregular times.
Africa is the region with the highest prevalence of undernourishment (POU) despite its vast land resources. Food security exists, when all the people, at all times have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food, which meets their dietary needs.
Ghana could lose up to 30% of its 2019 production due to the adverse effects of COVID -19.This could aggravate the already challenging effects of climate change and its associated effects, lead to shortfalls in the production of the major food crops and significantly affect food and nutrition security in the country in 2020 and beyond .
Government has put in a lot of measures to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on food security and nutrition.
It is against this background, that the Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI) through its agencies have outlined measures to assess and strengthen existing nutrition emergency responses, risk assessments, and early warning surveillance systems to ensure a coordinated multi-sectoral approach to minimise the shock during and after the pandemic.
These measures border on promoting local food production and consumption, creating food and nutrition database for better emergency preparedness planning, supporting local industries with technical skills and technologies to process diverse nutritious food products and provide evidence-based guidelines for food consumption.
Over the years, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has played a leading role in adding value to food crops to produce instant fufu powders (plantain fufu, yam fufu, cocoyam fufu); High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) for kokonte, agblema, fortified gari, bakery and pastry products; Industrial Cassava Flour for the paper and textile industries and maize, rice, soyabeans, and groundnuts for weaning foods among others.
Technologies on pre-cooked yam chips and chunks as convenience foods, fruit cocktail drinks and juices of pineapple, orange, mango, pawpaw, lemon grass, hibiscus calyx, noni, cashew, tiger nuts and others have also been developed by CSIR.
Again, rice parboiling technology has been developed and transferred to women and the youth in rice growing areas in Northern Ghana. The Chokor, Urismo and Ahotor ovens for fish smoking are among the several technologies developed for processing fish in Ghana by the Institute.
Consciously, the belief is that critical measures need to be taken immediately to protect and promote good nutrition to buttress government efforts in the health sector. The Ministry places greater emphasis on food sovereignty, self-reliance, exploring diversification of crop production activities and the scaling up of underutilised crop species that are healthy and culturally accepted.
On this occasion, MESTI applauds the effort of Government and stands ready to support the continuous supply of improved seeds, seedlings and technical backstopping for its laudable programmes such as Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) and Planting for Export and Rural Development (PARED).
PROF. KWABENA FRIMPONG-BOATENG MINISTER
For Media Enquiry, Please Contact:
Mr. Nasir Ahmad Yartey, Head, Public Relations
Tel No: 00233244501808
Email: [email protected]
Ms. Benedicta Nkrumah-Boateng
Head, Corporate Affairs
Tel No. 00233244237938
Email: [email protected]
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