Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has announced an immediate allocation of GHS100 million to support the operational launch of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF), describing the investment as a crucial step toward strengthening research, innovation, and knowledge creation in the country. Speaking at the official launch of the Ghana National Research Fund in Accra, President Mahama emphasized the importance of increasing investment in research to drive innovation, solve national challenges, and maintain global competitiveness.
According to Ghana Web, with Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing from $88 billion in 2024 to $114 billion, President Mahama highlighted the need for the country to ideally invest about 0.5 percent of GDP, equivalent to approximately GHS6 billion annually, in research and development. Although he acknowledged that Ghana might not immediately reach this target, the government's commitment to initiating the process was evident through the catalytic allocation of GHS100 million to support the fund's operational launch for 2026.
The funding is set to support competitive national research grants, doctoral and postdoctoral research programs, digital grant management systems, strategic innovation initiatives, and priority research projects aligned with Ghana's development objectives. President Mahama emphasized the government's commitment to building a sustainable and credible national research finance ecosystem.
He further directed relevant ministries to work toward implementing the financing provisions contained in the Ghana National Research Fund Act, 2020 (Act 1056), underscoring the importance of sustainable and predictable funding for the long-term success of the fund and the broader research agenda in Ghana. He also commended Ghana's universities and research institutions for their contributions to national development and challenged them to use the fund to pursue ambitious solutions to both national and global challenges.
President Mahama highlighted the need for intensified research in areas such as food security, climate-smart agriculture, tropical diseases, artificial intelligence, and innovations that can be commercialized to create jobs and drive economic growth. He urged key research institutions, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), to leverage the fund to accelerate applied research and transform scientific discoveries into practical solutions.
Additionally, President Mahama directed the Ministries of Finance and Education to initiate Ghana's participation in the World Bank's ACE Innovate initiative, assuring the Ghana National Research Fund of his full support in securing the program. He concluded by urging stakeholders to govern the institution with integrity, finance it consistently, and utilize its resources effectively to maximize impact, officially declaring the Ghana National Research Fund launched.