President John Dramani Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has launched the Ghana National Research Fund to bridge the financial gaps in research and also strengthen the country’s drive toward industrialisation and economic transformation.
Speaking at the launch, he stated that the initiative forms part of the government’s broader “resetting agenda” and its push for accelerated industrial development.
The President explained that the Fund is designed to provide sustainable and predictable financing for research, stressing that the development of local knowledge systems is important for national development.
He added that the initiative is built on a vision that has evolved since Ghana’s independence, and is a reflection of the enduring belief that science, technology, and research is central to national self-reliance.
“Today, Ghana affirms that research can no longer be treated as a peripheral activity. It must become one of the engines that drive our economic growth, our social progress, and our national competitiveness,” he said.
Mr. Mahama further traced the philosophy behind the Fund to Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, noting the country’s first president’s earlier recognition of the importance of science, technology, and research in driving economic transformation.
He disclosed that Nkrumah understood that industrialisation required more than resource extraction, emphasising the need for Ghana to develop its own technologies and solutions to local challenges.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the late Professor John Evans Atta-Mills, stating his strong advocate for science, technology, innovation, and research as a core pillar of national development.
President Mahama noted that although the idea had long existed, what had been missing was a sustainable financing framework, which has now been provided through Act 1056 of 2020, acknowledging former President Nana Akufo-Addo for facilitating its passage and assent of the law.
He warned that Ghana cannot achieve industrial transformation while under-investing in knowledge creation, highlighting that local researchers have operated under severe financial constraints despite producing globally competitive work.
The Ghana National Research Fund is intended to address these structural challenges and also support national development priorities such as the 24-Hour Economy initiative and the Accelerated Export Development Programme.
By Florence Adom Asamoah