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Former Vice President of Uganda, Dr. Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, has warned that Africa would find itself in perpetual poverty and under development if it fails to invest in science research and education.

According to her, the outcome of science research programs spearheaded by universities has always been the foundation for development for most advanced countries in the world, stressing that the time has come for African leaders to prioritize investment in science research and education. 

This, she noted, would win the war against abject poverty on the continent.

Lack of budgetary allocation to finance science, research and technology education in the universities, she noted, is the major contributory factor of the enormous challenges confronting the continent.

"The sub-Sahara Africa governments have not been investing in the universities education research programs but when there is a problem they would quickly ran to the universities for final solutions” noted Dr. Wandira-Kazibwe who is aspiring to become Chairperson of the Africa Union (AU).

She was speaking at a public lecture on “Sustainable Development and Economic Growth in Africa” at the University of Ghana (UG) on Monday.

The public lecture organized by Millennium Promise in collaboration with the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) was to bring development experts worldwide to brainstorm on a wide-range of issues that would stimulate socio-economic growth and development in Africa.

Areas discussed include education, agriculture and food security, water, environment and human health, energy, electronic and communication technology, entrepreneurship and the built environment.

Former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor, Head Pastor of Lifeway Community Baptist Church, East Legon, Rev. Dr. Osei Bonsu, and Director of Earth Institute of Columbia University and Special Advisor to the UN General Secretary, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs were among the key discussants at the event.

Dr. Wandira-Kazibwe commenting further bemoaned the situation where university authorities in recent times have resorted to the practice of “copy and paste” of knowledge and innovative ideas of others.

Such situation, the female politician noted, is killing educational transformation in Africa and warned that such practice must be stopped.