Dr. Clement Apaak calls for partnerships to sustain National Research Fund

The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has emphasized that continuous international partnerships are vital to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF). The fund, which was recently operationalized to drive the nation’s research and innovation agenda, received an initial seed funding of GH₵100 million from President John Mahama at its launch. Dr. Apaak noted that while state funding provides a necessary foundation, ongoing support from global donors is crucial for advancing large-scale research initiatives.

Although the fund was established under the Ghana National Research Fund Act of 2020, it has only recently become fully active through strategic collaborations. Dr. Apaak highlighted the importance of current partnerships with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and UNESCO. These alliances are intended to provide the technical expertise and resource-sharing necessary to help the fund meet its mandate of supporting diverse academic and scientific projects across the country.

Looking toward the future, the government anticipates additional funding allocations in the upcoming 2027 budget to bolster the GNRF’s capacity. The Ministry of Education expects the fund to serve as a cornerstone for national development by supporting research that addresses critical socio-economic challenges. By leveraging both domestic resources and international donor support, the ministry aims to create a robust ecosystem that allows Ghanaian researchers to produce impactful work on a global scale.