The Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine Tchuinte, has urged staff of her ministry to redouble efforts and prioritise general interest for better visibility of research results in the socio-economic life of the nation. She pledged the renewed determination while receiving best wishes from officials of the ministry on Friday January 24.

She said although the ministry made significant strides in 2013 notably with the successful organisation of the fourth edition of the excellence days of scientific and innovation (JERSIC) and the holding of the 3rd African Rice Forum (AfricaRice) among others, there is need to work even harder this year to continually make scientific research the cornerstone of the Head of State's Greater Accomplishment Programme.

She said besides working to attain objectives sought for by the four programmes contained in the ministry's roadmap for 2014, particular attention will also be given for the emergency plan prescribed by the Head of State. "For us, it entails fighting against food insecurity by reinforcing the production of quality and quantity seeds for all the regions of the country and organising open-door days to disseminate existing species needed to boost agro-pastoral production. Promoting the use of local materials will be given a new impetus," Minister Tchuinte said.

The Secretary General of the ministry, Ebele Etame Rebecca, took time off to draw the balance sheet of the ministry's activities in 2013 in the colourful and heavily-attended ceremony that also saw the award of labour medals to deserving staff.