African Scientist Calls for Increased Funding in Research and Innovation
MOMBASA, Kenya— A leading African scientist has urged the continent to prioritize funding for science, research, innovation, and human capacity development to address climate change and resource depletion, writes Sharon Kavhu.
Dr. Jane Olwoch, Executive Director of the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL), called during her virtual address at the 4th GMES and Africa Southern African Regional Workshop in Mombasa on Wednesday.
"As we gather here today, our resources are diminishing at an alarming rate due to climate change and other natural or human-related activities," Olwoch said.
"Most of these factors impact particularly our water resources."
She emphasized the urgent need to address declining agricultural production and environmental degradation across Africa.
"When our rivers and lakes shrink, they take oxygen with them, damaging biological diversity," Olwoch stated.
"Africa's agricultural production has declined over the years, leading many nations to become importers of basic food such as grains and beans."
Olwoch highlighted the role of the African Union's GMES and Africa program in fostering collaboration among scientists across the continent.
"The GMES & Africa network is our continent's best and a recipe at our reach for innovation," she said.
The executive director stressed the importance of self-reliance in solving Africa's challenges.
"The only solution within our reach is to manage our resources better," Olwoch said.
"We need research that provides up-to-date information and young scientists and engineers to develop practical solutions for Africa."
The workshop, themed "Enabling Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth Using Earth Observation Technologies Towards Agenda 2063," brought together policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders from across southern Africa and beyond.
SASSCAL, a collaboration between five Southern African Development Community countries and Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research, focuses on climate change research and capacity building in the region.