John Mahama urges businesses to adopt local CSIR innovations

President John Mahama has called on Ghanaian businesses to prioritize homegrown technological solutions over foreign alternatives to drive national economic transformation. Speaking at the CSIR Innovation Fair 2026, the President emphasized that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) possesses the expertise and innovations necessary to modernize the country's industrial landscape and ensure long-term self-sustainability.

The fair, held under the theme ‘From Research to Market,’ focused on the critical need to make scientific discoveries commercially viable. President Mahama noted that for Ghana to achieve true economic independence, local industries must move away from an over-reliance on imported technology, which often carries high costs and may not be tailored to the specific environmental and economic needs of the Ghanaian market. He highlighted that partnerships, increased private sector investment, and efficient technology transfer are essential to bringing research findings to the doorstep of the consumer.

Supporting the President's call, the Director-General of the CSIR, Professor Paul Bosu, reaffirmed the council's commitment to ensuring its research outputs are directly applicable to businesses and local communities. Prof. Bosu stated that the CSIR is actively working to streamline its processes to facilitate easier collaboration with the private sector, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into tangible products and services that solve local problems.

This push for the commercialization of research aligns with the government's broader strategy to stimulate industrial growth and reduce import dependency. By leveraging local scientific advancements in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and manufacturing, the administration aims to create new employment opportunities and build a more resilient economy. The 2026 Innovation Fair serves as a key platform to showcase these possibilities and encourage a shift toward Ghanaian-made research solutions.