By Morkporkpor Anku / Christabel Kporvie
Accra, Oct. 16, GNA – Mr Augustus Goosie Obuadum Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, has called for stronger linkages between scientific research and markets to boost local production, strengthen domestic value chains and create jobs.
He said Ghana needed to retain more value from its raw materials through local processing and urged researchers to engage industry players and end users from the design stage to ensure innovations addressed actual production needs.
Mr Tanoh made the call at the opening of the CSIR Scientific Conference and Innovation Fair 2026, held on the theme: “Harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Ghana.”
He identified opportunities in areas such as tomato production, aquaculture, food processing, local industrial machinery, solar energy, biogas and research into medicinal plants.
Mr Tanoh said commercialising research required investment in pilot projects, testing, certification, licensing and intellectual property arrangements.
He said the Government had provided GH¢100 million in seed capital for the National Research Fund in 2026, adding that sustained funding, skills development and partnerships were needed to translate 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 transform scientific discoveries into practical solutions for sustainable development.
She said stronger linkages between scientists and industry were necessary to move research beyond laboratories and develop innovations that respond to societal needs.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings urged scientists to work closely with marketing and commercialisation teams to identify partners, attract investment and develop products that meet market demands.
She said such partnerships would help transform research findings into useful products and services rather than leaving them confined to scientific publications.
The Minister highlighted the role of science and technology in addressing environmental challenges, including the search for alternatives to conventional plastics.
She cited plant-based materials such as cassava and hemp as possible alternatives, stressing that innovations must be safe and suitable for local conditions.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said the conference should generate evidence-based recommendations, identify research ready for validation and adoption, and establish mechanisms to follow up on its outcomes.
Professor Paul Pinnock Bosu, Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), said the Council needed to coordinate its 13 research institutes as a unified research system rather than operate as separate entities.
He said the institutes had developed expertise and research outputs in crop improvement, livestock production, genetic resources, soil mapping, food safety, food processing, forestry, renewable energy, water management, materials science and sanitation.
Prof Bosu said the benefits of those advances depended on how effectively research findings and technologies were transferred to farmers, businesses, public institutions and communities.
He called for collaboration with industry and end users from the early stages of research to ensure technologies addressed practical needs.
Prof Bosu stressed the need for clear pathways for technology adoption and a coordinated platform through which businesses and other potential users could identify and access CSIR innovations.
He said the Council needed to track research outcomes and strengthen follow-up after the conference to ensure discussions translated into tangible benefits.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku
Email: [email protected]