The committee, comprising officers of the commission, is primarily mandated to ensure innovation and monitor national and international development in the sector.

It has Mr. Solomon Sarpong as its Chairperson and Salifu Addo as Co-Chair, and Dorothy Adjei, Kofi Adu Agyarko, and Judith Ron Oppong-Tawiah as members.

The rest of the members are Alice Ayoko, Kwadwo Ampadu, Simpson Attieku, Richard Donkor and Frederick Kenneth Appiah.

Speaking at an inaugural ceremony in Accra, the Minister of Environment, Technology, Science and Innovation, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, said the world has drifted towards technology, science and innovation, making economies of developed countries grow faster because of their interest to exploit science, technology and innovation.

“Innovation defines our world today. The difference between under-developed countries and developed countries is how well each has positioned itself to take advantage of innovation,” he stresssed.

Mr. Ayariga said it was significant for developing countries to do more in promoting innovative ideas in the areas of energy, agriculture, information.

He noted that government’s decision to host a national science-technology fair this year was based on its commitment to ensure that tertiary institutions trained students to be more innovative.

The minister said the fair witnessed brilliant ideas and innovation ever with polytechnic students inventing bicycles that could generate energy.

Mr. Ayariga expressed the optimism that the country would be energy sufficient when such innovations were integrated into the national energy plan.

He asked the commission to establish regional offices to coordinate such activities for the growth of the sector.

The Board Chairman of Energy Commission, Dr. Kwame Ampofo, urged the committee to identify challenges confronting the energy sector and help the commission to design strategies to address them.

According to Dr Ampofo, it was important for the committee to monitor the implementation of plans to review and evaluate their progress and effectiveness, recommending relevant actions as appropriate.

By Charles Amankwa