Foreign grants won’t build Ghana’s research future - Administrator for Ghana National Research Fund

Administrator of Ghana National Research Fund, Prof. Abigail Opoku Mensah has called on Ghana to increase local investment in research and innovation, warning that over-reliance on foreign grants could threaten the country’s scientific progress, as the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology highlights the importance of strengthening local research.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 UK Meet Fellows programme, which equips journalists with the knowledge and skills to report on science, emerging technologies and innovation, Prof. Abigail urged Ghana to invest more of its own resources in scientific research to reduce its dependence on foreign grants and build a sustainable foundation for technological development.

Professor Abigail Opoku Mensah, said although international development partners had played a significant role in supporting research in the country, relying heavily on external funding exposed Ghana to the risk of losing vital financial support whenever donors changed their priorities.

“Over-reliance on foreign grants to sustain a country's innovation comes with inherent vulnerabilities and limitations,” she cautioned.

She noted that African Union member states had committed to investing at least one per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) in research and development, but Ghana, like many African countries, remained below the target.

Her concerns come as Ghana works to strengthen its research financing system through the Ghana National Research Fund, established under the Ghana National Research Fund Act, 2020 (Act 1056).

Ghana's research fund takes shape

The fund was formally launched on June 16, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama, who announced an allocation of GH¢100 million to support its operations.

The government had also provided GH¢15 million as initial seed funding.

Prof. Abigail Opoku Mensah stressed that passing legislation alone was not enough to guarantee financial support for researchers.

“A law alone does not automatically translate into a fund,” she said, emphasising the need to ensure that resources are made available to support scientific work.

She added that efforts were underway to establish the necessary administrative systems and work with the Ministry of Finance towards implementing the statutory quarterly disbursement provisions linked to national revenue under Act 1056.

The fund is expected to support a five-year research and innovation strategy covering 2026 to 2030, with priorities including food systems, health innovation and biodiversity, climate and environmental sustainability, industrial transformation, and governance and social systems.

According to the administrator of the Ghana National Research Fund, two multilateral funding calls had already been launched through co-funded arrangements, with two additional national calls scheduled to open before the end of 2026.

Environment Ministry highlights Ghana's research potential

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology has highlighted the contribution of Ghanaian research institutions to the country's scientific and technological development.

In a statement delivered on behalf of the Ministry's Director, Kwamena Quaison, the representative from the Ministry, outlined the work of institutions under the ministry's oversight, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.

The CSIR comprises 13 research institutes working in areas such as agriculture, food production, water resources, plant genetics, industrial development and science policy. Universities and technical universities across the country also contribute to research and innovation.

The ministry noted that these institutions were undertaking research with the potential to address national challenges, improve livelihoods and support economic growth.

Scientific advances in agriculture, for instance, can help improve food production, while research in healthcare and environmental management can contribute to better public services and more sustainable communities.

However, sustained investment remains essential to ensuring that researchers have the resources needed to develop and apply these solutions.

Turning research into national development

The calls for stronger domestic funding reflect a broader need to make research a central part of Ghana's development agenda.

Without reliable financing, researchers may struggle to sustain projects, develop new technologies and find solutions to pressing national challenges.

The Ghana National Research Fund is expected to provide a more coordinated approach to financing research, but its impact will depend on consistent funding, effective management and support for projects that address the country's needs.

As Ghana works to strengthen its scientific capabilities, the challenge will be to ensure that investment in research produces practical results for agriculture, healthcare, industry and other key sectors.

Ultimately, reducing dependence on foreign grants and strengthening local research institutions could help Ghana build a more sustainable innovation system and turn scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for its people.