Ghana’s government has established a GH¢50 million National Research Fund to empower local researchers and deepen innovation across science, technology, humanities, and the arts.
The initiative aims to reverse the longstanding reliance on foreign funding that often leaves Ghanaian intellectual property owned abroad.
Speaking on the fund, President John Dramani Mahama said, “With this fund, we’ll slowly but certainly reverse that narrative by empowering our own researchers and ensuring that Ghana owns the knowledge and innovations produced by its intellectuals.”
The program also includes full scholarships for five PhD candidates at every university in Ghana each year. “By investing in our thinkers, we’re investing in our future and asserting our intellectual sovereignty,” Mahama added.
The National Research Fund complements other government initiatives such as the One Million Coders Program, aimed at building a skilled digital talent base, and youth-focused programs that equip entrepreneurs with skills, mentorship, and access to capital.
Government officials say the fund is part of a broader strategy to position Ghana as a hub for innovation, attract investment, and create sustainable employment opportunities for the nation’s youth.
