National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has called for increased investment in graduate education, scientific research and innovation, saying they are essential to Ghana’s economic transformation, industrialisation and global competitiveness.
Speaking as Guest of Honour at the Second Edition of the School of Sciences Science Fair, held under the theme “Advancing Graduate Education for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Research Excellence and Global Impact,” Mr. Asiedu Nketia said the future prosperity of Ghana would depend not merely on the country’s natural resources but on its ability to develop highly skilled human capital capable of generating innovative solutions to national and global challenges.
He commended the organisers for selecting what he described as a timely and forward-looking theme, noting that the world is increasingly being shaped by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, digital transformation and climate change. According to him, countries that continue to invest in research, science and technology are positioning themselves as global leaders, while nations that neglect innovation risk becoming consumers rather than producers of knowledge and technology.
“As an indigene of the Bono Region, I take particular pride in seeing academic institutions championing scientific inquiry, innovation and research excellence. The future prosperity of our nation depends not merely on the abundance of our natural resources but on the quality of our human capital, our scientific discoveries and our capacity to transform knowledge into practical solutions,” he stated.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia stressed that graduate education should no longer be viewed simply as a pathway to obtaining higher academic qualifications but as a platform for producing critical thinkers, innovators, entrepreneurs, policy advisers and problem-solvers capable of transforming society.
He urged universities to become centres where innovative ideas are transformed into practical technologies, businesses and policies, adding that research should move beyond academic publications and directly address pressing national issues.
According to him, graduate students should focus their research on solving challenges in food security, sustainable agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy, climate resilience, environmental conservation, artificial intelligence, digital technology, water and sanitation, manufacturing, industrial development and entrepreneurship.
“Our universities must become centres where ideas are transformed into innovations, laboratories become incubators for businesses, and research findings influence public policy and industrial development. Research that remains on library shelves serves little purpose. Knowledge becomes truly valuable when it addresses real societal needs,” he said.
The NDC Chairman further called for innovation and entrepreneurship to become integral components of graduate education, arguing that universities should produce graduates capable of creating jobs instead of depending solely on employment opportunities.
He urged stronger collaboration among government, academia, industry and financial institutions to ensure promising scientific discoveries receive adequate support for commercialisation.
“No nation has become economically successful without investing significantly in scientific research and innovation. Ghana possesses equally capable and brilliant minds. What we require is sustained investment, visionary leadership, stronger partnerships and an enabling environment that allows innovation to flourish,” he added.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia also advocated evidence-based policymaking, saying national policies on agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, environmental protection and industrialisation should increasingly be guided by credible scientific research produced by universities and research institutions.
Addressing graduate students, he encouraged them to see their academic qualifications as a responsibility rather than merely certificates.
“Your research should not merely satisfy academic requirements but should contribute meaningfully to solving national and global challenges. Be curious, be innovative and be resilient. Do not be afraid to challenge conventional thinking. Some of today’s greatest inventions began as simple ideas developed by young researchers who refused to accept that problems were impossible to solve,” he advised.
He praised lecturers and research supervisors for their commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists and researchers, describing their contribution as critical to Ghana’s future development. He also encouraged industry leaders to deepen partnerships with universities through internships, collaborative research, innovation hubs, funding opportunities and commercialisation initiatives.
Concluding his address, Mr. Asiedu Nketia said science must ultimately serve humanity by reducing poverty, improving healthcare, strengthening food security, protecting the environment and creating sustainable jobs.
He expressed confidence that Ghana’s next major scientific or technological breakthrough could emerge from its universities and urged graduate students to think globally while developing solutions to local problems.
He also congratulated the School of Sciences for organising the science fair and expressed the hope that the event would continue to grow into one of Ghana’s leading platforms for scientific discovery, innovation and research excellence.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
