Accra, October 26, 2026.
The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for stronger partnerships among governments, universities, research institutions, industry and investors to translate scientific research into practical solutions and sustainable industrial development across Africa.
She made the call at the opening of the 2026 O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chairs Initiative (ORTARChI) Conference in Accra on Monday, 26th October, 2026.
Themed “Bridging Science and Enterprise in Africa: Translating Academic Research into Industrial and Business Impact”, the gathering brought together Researchers, Policymakers, funding institutions, Industry Representatives, Development Partners and Students to explore ways of connecting scientific research with economic transformation.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings stressed the need for Africa to move beyond generating scientific knowledge, to building partnerships and financing mechanisms that transform research into technologies, products, services and businesses that address the continent’s development challenges.
“Our researchers are not short of ideas. Our continent is not short of problems that demand scientific solutions. Our entrepreneurs are not short of ambition,” she stated, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between academic discoveries and their practical application.
The Minister commended ORTARChI’s role in advancing research excellence, developing scientific leadership and strengthening Africa’s research capacity, adding that the Initiative honours Oliver Reginald Tambo’s legacy of education, excellence and African solidarity.
She urged stakeholders to position research chairs as catalysts for industrial innovation and economic growth and called on African governments to increase domestic investment in research, science, technology and innovation to support industrial competitiveness, job creation and prosperity.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings further commended the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) for strengthening research funding institutions across Africa and described the operationalisation of the Ghana National Research Fund as an important step towards improving support for research and innovation.
She expressed appreciation to the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the National Research Foundation of South Africa and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada for supporting the Initiative. She also appealed to partners and other funding institutions to support a new phase of ORTARChI.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to science-driven development, stressing that scientific advancement must go hand in hand with environmental sustainability, climate resilience and responsible natural resource management.
She noted that Ghana’s 2026–2029 Sector Medium-Term Development Plan and the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (2024–2030), provide frameworks for advancing innovation, technology commercialisation and sustainable development.
She further emphasised the importance of science communication in showcasing research achievements, building partnerships and attracting private-sector investment. She announced plans to review the Ministry’s MEST Visibility Webinar Series and introduce an initiative celebrating scientific excellence among Ghanaian researchers.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings urged participants to identify practical collaboration opportunities, improve access to innovation financing and support research-based enterprises.
She emphasised that Africa must aspire to become a creator, owner, manufacturer and exporter of technologies and solutions that improve lives and contribute to global progress.
The Minister expressed confidence that the gathering would strengthen African scientific collaboration and generate productive partnerships before officially declaring the 2026 ORTARChI Gathering open.
The Ministry remains committed to advancing science, technology and innovation as drivers of sustainable development, industrial growth and economic transformation in Ghana and across Africa.
