African policymakers still need to entrench science, technology and innovation in local, national and regional development plans by allocating one percent of GDP for Research and Development (R&D) as agreed over three decades ago- CASTAFRICA II.
Kenya is even more ambitious. The politicians have an act allocating two percent of GDP for R&D. The current allocation is below 0.5 percent. The Parliament which is involved in budgeting, needs lots of encouragement despite loud utterances about science being the driving force behind sustainable development, self-reliance and availability of basic human needs.
However, there are also indicators that political leaders like Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has practically appreciated the importance of funding science. Indeed International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Kalambo Research Station in Bukavu, DR Congo, was recently inaugurated and renamed “The President Olusegun Obasanjo Research Station” currently the institute’s goodwill ambassador.
There is more to the inauguration and renaming ceremony which included DR Congo President, Felix Tshisekedi, accompanied by Ethiopia’s former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Dr Nteranya Sanginga IITA Director General and Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of African Development Bank. DR Congo government provided an enabling environment for IITA’s R&D activities to thrive.
I first met general Obasanjo at the headquarters of the International Centre for Insect Ecology and Physiology (ICIPE) which also harbored the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and wondered what linked a business military strongman turned politician to the world of science, especially insect researchers including top professors speaking in tongues.
But I quickly learnt that he had very strong interest in matters of science and development. We exchanged contacts and in those days it was post office box numbers and he had a son who was training as a medical doctor.
Apart from science he was Africa’s rare example of a military ruler handing power to civilians after serving as head of state from 1976-79. By 1995 African scientists had already crowned him as their link with the continent’s heads of state while Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s former president was in charge of curbing brain drain.
Obasanjo, served as civilian president from 1999-2007. His major efforts to help entrench STI in Africa was noted when he spearheaded the donation of $5 million to create an endowment fund to support AAS based in Nairobi, Kenya. He definitely set pace for Nigeria to play a key role in science within Africa. During his reign, he helped the country come up with policies that curbed food imports and cassava production increased by 20 percent.
Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who is whispered to have raised cassava production by 20m tons within his eight years urged DRC to invest in agriculture particularly cassava, soybean, cowpea and plantain to help Africa cut down annual food imports that is estimated to be at least worth 35 billion.
Kenya: Health and the New Constitution
Every person has the Right—
(a) To the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care services, including reproductive health care;
(b) To accessible and adequate housing, and to reasonable standards of sanitation;
(c) To be free from hunger, and to have adequate food of acceptable quality;
(d) to clean and safe water in adequate quantities;
ARTICLE 43 (2)
- A person shall not be denied emergency medical treatment.
- Art. 42; Every person has a right to clean and healthy environment.
- Art.53 (1) Every child has a right – to basic nutrition, shelter and health care
- Art 56. The state shall put in place affirmative action programmes designed to ensure that minorities and marginalized groups- (e) have reasonable access to water, health services and infrastructure.
- ARTICLE 26
- Every person has the right to life
- The life of a person begins at conception
- A person shall not be deprived of life intentionally, except to the extent authorized by this constitution or other written law.
- Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law.
- National referral health facilities
- Health Policy
- County health facilities and pharmacies;
- Cemeteries, funeral parlours and crematoria; and
- Refuse removal, refuse dumps and solid waste disposal.
- Ambulance services;
- Promotion of primary health care;
- Licensing and control of undertakings that sell food to the public;
- Veterinary services (excluding regulation of the profession);
FINANCING HEALTHCARE Budgetary Allocations
- Grants /Donations
- Equalization Fund
- Monies raised at county level
