He explained that the funding will support competitive national research grants
President John Dramani Mahama has announced an immediate allocation of GH¢100 million to support the operational launch of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF), describing the investment as a crucial step toward strengthening research, innovation, and knowledge creation in the country.
Speaking at the official launch of the Ghana National Research Fund in Accra on Monday, June 16, 2026, President Mahama said Ghana must significantly increase investment in research if it hopes to drive innovation, solve national challenges, and remain globally competitive.
According to him, with Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing from $88 billion in 2024 to $114 billion, the country should ideally be investing about 0.5 percent of GDP, equivalent to approximately GH¢6 billion annually, in research and development.
“Our GDP in 2024 was $88 billion. Now it's $114 billion. It means that we should be investing about 6 billion cedis every year in research. That is the target,” he said.
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However, he noted that while Ghana may not immediately reach that target, the government is determined to make a start.
“Accordingly, I'm pleased to announce an immediate catalytic allocation of 100 million cedis to support the operational launch of the Ghana National Research Fund for 2026,” he announced.
He explained that the funding will support competitive national research grants, doctoral and postdoctoral research programmes, digital grant management systems, strategic innovation initiatives, and priority research projects aligned with Ghana's development objectives.
“This allocation reflects government's commitment to building a sustainable and credible national research finance ecosystem,” he stated.
President Mahama further directed the Ministries of Finance, Education, and Environment, Science and Technology to work toward fully implementing the financing provisions contained in the Ghana National Research Fund Act, 2020 (Act 1056).
According to him, sustainable and predictable funding is critical to the long-term success of the Fund and the country's broader research agenda.
He commended Ghana's universities and research institutions for their contributions to national development.
“These institutions have strengthened scientific capacity, developed highly skilled researchers, produced globally recognised discoveries, and enhanced Ghana's reputation as a centre of research excellence,” he noted.
President Mahama challenged universities, research institutions, and scientists to use the Fund as an opportunity to pursue ambitious solutions to national and global challenges.
“The establishment of this fund must not merely increase grant applications. It must increase ambition,” he said.
He called for intensified research into food security, climate-smart agriculture, tropical diseases, artificial intelligence, and innovations that can be commercialised to create jobs and drive economic growth.
“Our objective is not simply to publish more papers. Our objective is to solve more problems,” he stressed.
The President also urged key research institutions, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), to leverage the Fund to accelerate applied research and transform scientific discoveries into practical solutions that improve livelihoods.
He further directed the Ministries of Finance and Education to initiate Ghana's participation in the World Bank's ACE Innovate initiative, assuring the Ghana National Research Fund of his full support in securing the programme.
“You have full presidential support,” he assured.
President Mahama described the launch of the Fund as an investment in Ghana's future scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers.
“It’s an investment in a future where Ghanaians themselves increasingly develop solutions to Ghanaian challenges,” he said.
He concluded by urging stakeholders to govern the institution with integrity, finance it consistently, and utilise its resources effectively to maximise impact.
“We must govern this institution with integrity. We must finance it with consistency. We must utilise it with impact,” he stated before officially declaring the Ghana National Research Fund launched.
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