By Teboho Serutla
The Prime minister, Moeketsi Majoro has thrown his weight behind the establishment of the Lesotho Academy of Science and Technology.
The academy was launched in Maseru yesterday with the support of the United Nations Technology Bank and the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC).
“Science, technology and innovation are indeed our present and our future. Working with organised scientists in an academy of science is the way to go in this modern world, rather than to work with individual scientists, since unity is power.
“As government, we pledge to support the Academy in its struggle for autonomy, how it elects its members and how it is led. My wish and plea is that all the activities of LAST be implemented based on merits.
“Lesotho needs to prioritise and invest heavily on research and development, in order to improve the socio-economic aspect. As government, we have made commitments to that effect, but this may be affected by other conflicting needs in the country where the fiscus goes to. Therefore, it is our hope that LAST will play a pivotal role in science advocacy that will enable Lesotho to invest in the right places,” Majoro said.
He went on to pledge to financially support LAST to ensure that it carries out its activities, further promising to approach and commission it to carry out studies that give scientific advice to the government.
