INTER-CONTINENTAL COLLABORATION IS KEY FOR AFRICAN SCHOLARS - Prof. Atuguba

Prof. Raymond Akongburo Atuguba, Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law (UGSoL), has stated that collaboration with other African scholars is the solution to the current publication challenges faced by African Scholars.

He made this remark during an Open Forum and Round Table discussion held as part of activities to mark the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa (DSRA), organized by the College of Humanities at the Cedi Conference Center, UG.

Speaking at the back of the theme, ‘Law and Multidisciplinary Research in aid of Science and Technology’, Prof. Atuguba said there are varying reasons for the stagnant publications of African Scholars. “First, we do not have the space to write, invent, create and innovate. He explained that “African Scholars have humongous teaching burden and few hands to support the tutoring process; not enough mentors, research assistants, libraries, Information Technology (IT) support and funding.

Prof. Atuguba also observed that, currently, in order for the publications of African Scholars to be acknowledged, there had to be a collaboration with foreign researchers. “The chances for visibility for most African Scholars are therefore only enhanced when you are invited by Western and Northern Researchers to team up”.

In order to improve the situation, Prof. Atuguba stated that “African Scholars can creatively co-opt partners in the places where the money, time, support and space is, to aid us publish but we must bargain hard for greater intellectual space and visibility.” More importantly, he advised inter-continental collaboration. He said “we should work at collaborating with other African Scholars, a step that always makes the research excellent and powerful”. He also encouraged scholars to electronically popularize their work and publish immediately.

In his conclusion, Prof. Atuguba said “In Africa, Ghana and the University of Ghana, we have an outpouring of science but have not fully harnessed, utilized and incubated it. He advised African Scholars to make our science available to our countries and students.