The University of Ghana Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has urged for the swift operationalisation of Ghana's National Research Fund. The Fund was established under the Ghana National Research Fund Act, 2020 (Act 1056), with the aim of supporting scientific research, technological advancement, and innovation. Prof. Appiah Amfo made the remarks during a roundtable discussion organised by the Ghana Students Association at Johns Hopkins University in the United States on October 6, 2026.
The National Research Fund's governing board was inaugurated in June 2025, and the Fund was officially launched in June 2026. Despite progress made towards establishing a sustainable mechanism for financing scientific research and innovation, the Fund is yet to become operational and provide the intended support to researchers. Prof. Appiah Amfo stressed the need to expedite the remaining processes to ensure researchers can access funding.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the University of Ghana's Graduate Research Fund, which provides grants to postgraduate students, as well as research partnerships with organisations including the Mastercard Foundation, Wellcome, and the European Union. These initiatives demonstrate the University's commitment to supporting research and innovation. However, Prof. Appiah Amfo identified undergraduate participation in research as an area requiring greater attention.
Prof. Appiah Amfo encouraged undergraduate students to engage with faculty members and seek opportunities to contribute to ongoing research projects. She also called for stronger collaboration between Ghanaian scholars abroad and institutions at home. The Vice-Chancellor urged professionals to apply their international experience and expertise to Ghana's development, stating that "success is not geographically bound."
The roundtable discussion, held at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, brought together Ghanaian students, faculty members, alumni, and other members of the university community. The theme of the discussion was "From Global Opportunities to Local Impact: Building Networks, Careers, and Capacity Across the Ghanaian Diaspora." The event provided a platform for scholars to discuss research financing, professional development, institutional collaboration, and opportunities for scholars abroad to contribute to Ghana's development.
The discussion featured Prof. Appiah Amfo, Dr. Serwaa Karikari, a lecturer at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, and Dr. Emmanuel Elorm Adom-Nortey, a life sciences consultant and founding president of the Ghana Students Association at Johns Hopkins University. The event aimed to foster connections between Ghanaian scholars abroad and institutions at home, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The swift operationalisation of the National Research Fund is crucial for Ghana's research and innovation ecosystem. Key stakeholders must work together to ensure the Fund becomes operational and provides the necessary support to researchers.
Key points
- University of Ghana Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has called for the swift operationalisation of Ghana's National Research Fund.
- The National Research Fund was established under the Ghana National Research Fund Act, 2020 (Act 1056), to support scientific research, technological advancement, and innovation.
- The Fund's governing board was inaugurated in June 2025, and the Fund was officially launched in June 2026.
