Raise Research Budget

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

6 June 2011

editorial

To realise development in an entity or indeed, a country, ample funds should be spent on research. That way, solutions to various problems and insights to the way forward are found.

There is a dearth in research in most African countries, mainly because of limited funds set aside for this key undertaking.In the 2010/11 fiscal year, Tanzania’s 44 public research institutions had a total budget of Sh30 billion, which was too little to undertake such activities accordingly.

The Africa Technology Policy Studies has hinted that despite efforts to establish a number of research and development institutions, research benefits are yet to be fully realised because the policy is hazy.

The East African Legislative Assembly has resolved that the EAC member states should spend at least one per cent of their gross domestic product on developing science, technology and innovations.

That is in tandem with the African Union resolution passed in 2007 to the effect that each member state allocates at least the same percentage to the same course.It is crucial for African countries to put aside more funds for research if they are to attain meaningful development.

It is pointless to claim that resources for research are scarce while a lot of money is embezzled or misused on sideshow activities such allowances and endless seminars.

AllAfrica – All the Time