President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the Ghana National Research Fund, describing it as a major step toward addressing persistent funding challenges in research and supporting the country’s industrialisation and economic transformation agenda.
Speaking at the launch on June 16, the President said the Fund forms part of the government’s broader national development strategy and is intended to provide reliable and sustainable financial support for research and innovation. He emphasized that strengthening local knowledge creation is essential for Ghana’s long-term growth and competitiveness.
According to President Mahama, the initiative reflects a vision that dates back to the country’s early years of independence and underscores the importance of science, technology, and research in achieving national development goals.
He stressed that research should no longer be viewed as a secondary activity but rather as a critical driver of economic expansion, social advancement, and national competitiveness.
The President linked the philosophy behind the Fund to Ghana’s founding leader, Kwame Nkrumah, noting that Nkrumah understood the vital role of scientific research and technological innovation in building a self-reliant nation. He said the former leader recognized that meaningful industrialisation required the development of local technologies and solutions rather than dependence on raw material exports.
President Mahama also paid tribute to the late John Evans Atta Mills, highlighting his commitment to promoting science, technology, innovation, and research as key pillars of national development.
While acknowledging that the concept of a national research fund has existed for years, Mahama noted that the absence of a dependable financing mechanism had hindered its implementation. He credited former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for facilitating the passage and assent of Act 1056 of 2020, which established the legal framework for the Fund.
The President further observed that breakthroughs in fields such as medicine, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, biotechnology, renewable energy, and manufacturing have been made possible through sustained investment in research and innovation.
He warned that Ghana’s ambitions for industrial growth cannot be achieved without increased investment in knowledge generation, pointing out that many local researchers have produced high-quality work despite limited funding and resources.
According to him, the Ghana National Research Fund will help address these longstanding challenges while supporting key government initiatives, including the 24-Hour Economy policy and the Accelerated Export Development Programme, both of which depend on innovation and research-driven solutions.
Source: citinews
