Accra:Mr Augustus Goosie Obuadum Tanoh, the Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, has emphasized the importance of strengthening the connections between scientific research and market demands to enhance local production, improve domestic value chains, and create job opportunities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Tanoh highlighted the need for Ghana to increase the value derived from its raw materials through local processing. He urged researchers to collaborate with industry players and end users from the initial design stages to ensure innovations effectively address production requirements. This statement was made during the opening of the CSIR Scientific Conference and Innovation Fair 2026, themed 'Harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Ghana.'
Mr Tanoh pointed out potential growth areas such as tomato production, aquaculture, food processing, local industrial machinery, solar energy, biogas, and research into medicinal plants. He underscored the necessity of investment in pilot projects, testing, certification, licensing, and intellectual property arrangements to commercialize research effectively.
Additionally, Mr Tanoh mentioned the Government's provision of GHS100 million in seed capital for the National Research Fund in 2026, asserting that continuous funding, skills development, and partnerships are crucial for translating research into economic and social benefits.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, called for stronger collaboration among research institutions, government, and industry to convert scientific discoveries into practical solutions for sustainable development. She stressed the importance of partnerships between scientists and industry to ensure that research progresses beyond laboratories and innovations are developed to meet societal needs.
The Minister also highlighted the role of science and technology in addressing environmental challenges, such as finding alternatives to conventional plastics, citing plant-based materials like cassava and hemp as potential substitutes. Dr Agyeman-Rawlings emphasized that innovations must be safe and appropriate for local conditions and encouraged the conference to produce evidence-based recommendations and mechanisms for follow-up.
Professor Paul Pinnock Bosu, Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), remarked on the need for the Council to operate its 13 research institutes as a unified system. He noted that the institutes have expertise in various fields, including crop improvement, livestock production, genetic resources, soil mapping, and renewable energy. Prof Bosu emphasized the importance of transferring research findings and technologies effectively to end users, stressing the need for collaboration with industry and clear pathways for technology adoption.