Ghana has been urged to increase domestic investment in research and development to reduce reliance on foreign grants and accelerate the creation of locally developed solutions to the country’s economic, social and technological challenges.
Professor Abigail Opoku Mensah, Acting Administrator of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF), said sustainable local funding was essential to building a strong research and innovation ecosystem capable of supporting Ghana’s long-term economic growth and national development.
She explained that although partnerships with international development agencies had contributed significantly to research projects in Ghana, excessive dependence on foreign funding could expose the sector to uncertainties resulting from changing donor priorities and international foreign policies.
According to Prof. Mensah, countries seeking to accelerate innovation must prioritise domestic sources of funding to ensure that research activities remain sustainable and aligned with national development priorities.
“The actual investments required to accelerate a country’s innovation must first of all come from domestic sources,” she said.
Prof. Mensah made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the UK Media Excellence for Emerging Technologies (UK MEET) Fellowship’s Ghana residential programme in Accra.
Her presentation was delivered under the theme, “Ghana’s Research and Innovation Journey: The Journey So Far.”
The fellowship is organised by Imperial Global Ghana with support from the United Kingdom Government through Imperial College London.
Ghana Falls Short of African Union Research Funding Target
Prof. Mensah noted that Ghana, like several other African countries, continued to fall below the African Union’s recommended benchmark of allocating at least one per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to research and development.
She stressed that increased government funding and stronger private-sector participation would be necessary to bridge the research financing gap and strengthen Ghana’s capacity to develop innovative solutions to national problems.
The Acting Administrator explained that the establishment of the Ghana National Research Fund followed years of advocacy by academic institutions and industry stakeholders for a dedicated national mechanism to finance research and innovation.
The Ghana National Research Fund Act, 2020 (Act 1056), provided the legal foundation for the institution, although several years passed before the fund became operational.
According to Prof. Mensah, the fund’s governing board was inaugurated in June 2025, after which the government provided an initial seed capital of GH¢50 million to support the establishment of the institution and the development of its operational systems.
President John Dramani Mahama subsequently launched the fund on June 16, 2026, and announced an additional catalytic allocation of GH¢100 million to support its operationalisation.
Ghana National Research Fund Unveils 2026–2030 Innovation Strategy
Prof. Mensah disclosed that the GNRF had adopted a Research and Innovation Strategy covering the 2026–2030 period to guide funding priorities and strengthen Ghana’s research capacity.
The strategy focuses on developing research talent, providing competitive research grants, strengthening partnerships with industry, supporting evidence-based policymaking, securing sustainable financing and promoting effective governance.
It also identifies five initial national research missions designed to address critical development challenges.
These include:
- Food systems: Supporting agricultural research, food security and sustainable food production.
- Health innovation and biosecurity: Promoting medical research, healthcare innovation and preparedness for biological threats.
- Climate and environmental sustainability: Developing solutions to climate change, environmental degradation and related risks.
- Digital and industrial transformation: Advancing digital technology, industrial innovation and technology-driven economic growth.
- Governance, policy and social systems: Using research evidence to improve public policy, governance and social development.
Prof. Mensah called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, universities, public research institutions, private businesses and international development partners.
She said collaboration was essential to ensuring that scientific discoveries and research findings were transformed into practical innovations that improve people’s lives and contribute to Ghana’s socio-economic development.
Imperial Global Ghana Highlights Importance of Science Communication
Amma Boakye-Danquah, Associate Director of Imperial Global Ghana, emphasised the importance of effective science communication in ensuring that research findings reach the people and communities they are intended to benefit.
She explained that researchers and journalists have a shared responsibility to investigate important issues, verify information and promote informed public discussions on matters affecting national development.
These issues include maternal mortality, flooding, extreme heat, artificial intelligence and other emerging scientific and technological challenges.
Boakye-Danquah noted that Imperial College London recognised the value of science communication and continued to support initiatives aimed at improving public understanding of research, technology and innovation.
She stressed that clear and accurate reporting could help bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding, allowing citizens to make informed decisions about issues affecting their lives.
UK MEET Fellowship Strengthens Science and Technology Journalism in Ghana
Ryan Davies of the British High Commission in Ghana disclosed that the UK Media Excellence for Emerging Technologies Fellowship had entered its fourth year.
He said approximately 70 journalists had completed the programme during its first three years, gaining skills and knowledge to improve reporting on science, technology and innovation.
According to Davies, some fellowship alumni had produced impactful stories covering science, healthcare, technological advancement and climate-related challenges, while others had developed lasting professional relationships with researchers and fellow journalists.
The fellowship brings together journalists and content creators to strengthen their capacity to report accurately and effectively on emerging technologies and scientific developments.
Its areas of focus include artificial intelligence, climate change, environmental risks, biomedical innovation and the circular economy.
Research and Innovation Key to Ghana’s Economic Transformation
The call for increased domestic research funding highlights the importance of developing Ghana’s scientific capabilities and reducing vulnerability to changes in international development financing.
Greater investment in research and development could support local businesses, improve healthcare delivery, strengthen agricultural productivity, accelerate digital transformation and create opportunities for technology-driven employment.
The Ghana National Research Fund is expected to play an important role in mobilising resources and supporting research projects that address the country’s most pressing development priorities.
Stakeholders have also emphasised the need for effective science journalism to ensure that research findings are communicated clearly and translated into practical benefits for society.
Strengthening cooperation between researchers, journalists, government institutions and industry could help Ghana build a more sustainable innovation ecosystem and accelerate its socio-economic transformation.
Source: newsthemegh.com