Abuja-Nigeria — The jury for the selection of the 2012 African Union's Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards for Women, being implemented on behalf of the Union by ECOWAS, began a meeting on Monday, 6th August 2012 at the ECOWAS Commission's Abuja headquarters.
The team made up of resource persons from research institutes and universities in the ECOWAS region is considering three top nominees for the coveted prize, which rewards women dedicated to development in earth and life sciences as well as in basic science, technology and innovation.
In an opening remark to the meeting, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Gender, Dr. Adrienne Diop, represented by the Director of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, Professor Abdoulaye Maga, said the objective is to promote women's involvement in the realization of ECOWAS Policy on Science and Technology (ECOPOST).
The award is a one-time monetary prize given to a scientist with outstanding achievements, discoveries, and findings that contribute to development in Africa. Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, will host this year's award ceremony on 9th September 2012.