By Elizabeth Abban
Nyankpala (N/R), Oct 25, GNA – The Research Staff Association (RSA) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has held its 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) to assess achievements, evaluate progress, and elect new executives to lead its initiatives for the next two years (2025-2027).
This year’s AGM, hosted by CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) at Nyankpala, near Tamale, was attended by Directors of CSIR institutes, RSA members, RSA executives, and nationwide research and development partners.
It was on the theme: “Accelerating Resilience for Food and Nutrition Security in Ghana: The Role of Transformative Research, Development and Partnerships”, which emphasised enhancing resilience in food and nutrition security through targeted research, innovation, and collaborative partnerships.
The CSIR is the country’s leading scientific research institution with 13 institutes dedicated to water, crops, food, animal and industrial research.
Professor Paul Bosu, the Director-General of CSIR, speaking during the AGM, reaffirmed the Council’s dedication to advancing science, technology and innovation to propel socio-economic progress.
He emphasised that research and innovation are vital to addressing food insecurity, climate change, and poverty, and urged stronger collaboration between CSIR, industry, and development partners.
Dr Daniel Ashie Kotey, Director, CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, urged the nation’s research community to adopt resilient-focused agricultural strategies to address climate change, pandemics, and other global threats.
He advocated transformative research, cross-sector collaboration, and practical, cost-effective innovations to sustain food systems.
He encouraged scientists to deploy proven technologies and phase out obsolete ones.
Dr Francis Kusi, Director of CSIR-SARI, expressed appreciation to the RSA for selecting the institute as host and commended the high level of participation.
He said CSIR-SARI had undergone a significant transformation becoming one of the most vibrant and attractive research institutes within the CSIR system.
Dr Shadrack Kwadwo Amponsah, outgoing National President of the RSA, urged the media to highlight the impact of illegal mining on food and nutritional security.
He said illegal mining was a major threat to farmlands, water bodies, and rural livelihoods.
He said CSIR scientists were applying research-based solutions such as land restoration, afforestation, and climate-smart agriculture, and appealed to traditional authorities and civil society to support them in protecting the environment for future generations.
As part of the AGM, participants visited the CSIR-SARI Technology Park, an innovation hub established at Nyankpala to showcase and promote the practical adoption of SARI-developed agricultural technologies.
The Park serves as a demonstration centre where farmers, students and extension agents are trained in modern, sustainable agricultural practices.
Mr Mark Anthony Taylor, Chairman, CSIR Governing Council, in an interview with the media, said the Council was touring all its 13 research institutes and stations to assess progress and challenges.
He described the CSIR-SARI Technology Park as critical to the government’s poverty reduction agenda adding that CSIR played a central role in agricultural transformation and climate resilience.
He appealed for increased government funding to support research, infrastructure and staff motivation, adding that CSIR was working to boost its internally-generated funds and build partnerships with international agencies.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Benjamin Mensah