Africa : Governments Need Scientific Advisors

Africa needs chief scientific advisors to help governments avoid endorsing ’junk’ science, writes Linda Nordling.

Government science advisors from across the globe met for their first get-together last month (28-29 August) in Auckland, New Zealand. The meeting brought together scientists from many countries, including Brazil, Canada and Malaysia and the United Kingdom to discuss the role of science in public policymaking.

There were few representatives from Africa. Fifteen African prospective delegates from Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe registered to attend.

Of these, three pulled out at the last minute, including a keynote speaker from Kenya.