Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ghanaian Times
Published on 2024-02-29 07:23:37
Dr. Francis Boateng Agyenim, the Director of the Institute of Industrial Research (IIR), a part of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has stressed the importance of the government allocating one percent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards research. This financial support, he believes, is crucial for the CSIR to conduct research that benefits the citizens, as most of its current activities rely on donor funding.
During the inaugural CSIR-IIR annual research and industry meeting in Accra, Dr. Agyenim emphasized the need for governments to provide dedicated research funds and identify key areas for research, inviting organizations to compete for funding and implement innovative projects. He highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between research and industry, urging for a collaborative approach between the two sectors.
Dr. Agyenim also discussed the IIR’s success in zero waste management, showcasing a technological model for recycling waste that has prevented any waste from leaving the institute in the past four years. He expressed the institute’s plans to expand this technology to other state institutions, proposing a partnership model where institutions pay the IIR instead of traditional waste collection companies for waste management services.
Additionally, Dr. Agyenim acknowledged the challenges that arise from differences between research scientists and marketing personnel within the institute, hindering its commercialization efforts. He advocated for increased industry partnerships to help commercialize research outputs, as research scientists may not have the expertise in marketing and business development.
Lawyer Kwame Jantuah, Chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), echoed the importance of establishing marketing, business, and research centers within the IIR to enhance its commercialization capabilities. This move, he noted, would lead to financial stability for the CSIR-IIR, allowing it to fund various research projects and bring their outcomes to the public.
Jantuah also called on the CSIR-IIR to engage with the government and political parties to ensure that research policies are included in their campaign manifestos, emphasizing the significance of research in national development.
Industry players raised concerns regarding the CSIR-IIR’s lack of effective communication in promoting the outcomes of their research works. They suggested that better engagement with the media would help to raise awareness about the institute’s work and its potential to address industry challenges.
In conclusion, the CSIR-IIR’s efforts to bridge the gap between research and industry, enhance commercialization capabilities, and improve communication with stakeholders are seen as essential steps towards maximizing the impact of their research initiatives on society and the economy. Through increased collaboration and support, the CSIR-IIR aims to continue driving innovation and research excellence in Ghana.
Read the original article on Ghanaian Times
