Dr Kofi Amoah, Chief Executive Officer of Progeny Ventures, said Ghana had not fully exploited its natural resources after 57 years of attaining independence.
�We have not fully utilised our land and labour resources fully as we should, nor have we leveraged agriculture properly to underpin a robust economy,� he said.
Dr Amoah made this known at an Independence Day Lecture which was organised by Osei-Kusi Foundation and National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS).
He said the overall development of the nation, including the economic, socio-cultural and technological developments was the responsibility of Ghanaians.
Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Founder of the Ghana Cardiothoracic Centre, said the poverty gap in the country was a technological gap.
�The categorization of nations into advanced and developing is based on their scientific advancement. Low income levels go with low scientific/technological advancement status while high income levels match with high scientific/technological programmes,� he said.
Prof. Frimpong Boateng said Ghana�s poverty situation was self-inflicted so there should be a paradigm shift to change the status quo.
�I have said time and again that any biological population that cannot feed, shelter, clothe, heal and defend itself with its own means cannot survive,� he said.
Mr Kofi Osei-Kusi, Executive President of the Osei Kusi Foundation, said students and the Ghanaian youth in general should rise and take their destiny into their own hands since the future of the nation lay in their hands.
He advised them to believe in Ghana and acquire more knowledge and wisdom, �to change the cause of our nation.�
Mr. Samuel Binfoh Darkwa, NUGS President, encouraged his colleagues to be focused and determined to accomplish their goals.
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