The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) here at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in collaboration with the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana and the Centre of African Studies at the University of Edinburgh has held a maiden edition of the Edinburgh Catalyst Regional Conference in West Africa.
The conference which was on the theme “Emerging Population, Health and Development Concerns in Africa”, is one of five such events, fully sponsored by the University of Edinburgh to provide opportunities for sub-regional intellectual engagements, partnerships and dissemination. The conference mobilized and harnessed the capacities of early career African Scholars through knowledge and experiential sharing.
Speaking on the relevance of the theme, a Senior Research Fellow at DRIC, Dr. Samuel Owusu Asiedu indicated that it is necessary to hold conversations on such topics because it helps generate new ideas that can aid in addressing developmental issues related to population and health.
“Now there are so many emerging issues that are taking place and we are wonder about what will happen to the future generation. Will they now have to import water to drink in Ghana because of the environmental destruction that we having?. So many people in their fertility age giving birth and so the number of population is also increasing and there are other population issues that are coming up and some have been documented over the years. We look forward for the new ones that are coming.” He said
He therefore said in other for the young career scholars to confront these changes, it is important for the youth to think through the new ideas, topics and areas through collaborations and networking.
On her part, a Senior Research Fellow in Medical Anthropology at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr. Deborah Atobrah noted that in dealing with population related issues, government must prioritize meeting the needs of the youth who are the country’s future leaders.
“We have to pay a lot of attention to issues that affect young people and as a nation we need very strong policies to attend to the needs and issues of young people.” She reiterated.
Speaking to ALFMNEWS on the sidelines of the programme, an Associate Professor in Health and Development Geography at the Department of Geography and Regional Planning at UCC, Professor Simon Mariwah indicated that mentoring is a necessary ingredient if young academics will succeed in academia.
He therefore urged them to be humble and work hard to achieve great success.
Source: Rosemond Asmah/ATLFMNEWS
