The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has underscored the importance of research in economic development.
Mr Nketia made this point when he addressed faculty and students at the School of Sciences of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) on July 30 as the Guest of Honour.
“No nation has become economically successful without investing significantly in scientific research and innovation,” he said at the 2nd edition of the Science Fair organised by the School of Sciences of UENR
The Science Fair was held under the theme: “Advancing Graduate Education for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Research Excellence and Global Impact.“
According to Mr Nketia, “Countries such as South Korea, Singapore, China, and Finland transformed their economies by investing heavily in education, science, technology 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 noted that, “As a politician and public servant, I firmly believe that scientific evidence should guide policymaking and drive our developmental agenda. National policies and programmes concerning agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, environmental protection, and industrialization should increasingly be informed by credible scientific research produced by our universities and other research institutions.
The NDC’s National Chairman, therefore, urged students at the School of Sciences to ensure that their research works contribute to national development
“Your research should not merely satisfy academic requirements but should contribute meaningfully to solving national and global challenges,” he stated.
Mr Nketia further urged that, “Our graduate students should be encouraged to focus their research on addressing contemporary societal issues in areas such as:
- Food security and sustainable agriculture;
- Climate resilience and environmental conservation;
- Healthcare innovations;
- Renewable energy solutions;
- Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies;
- Water and sanitation;
- Manufacturing and industrial development; and
- Entrepreneurship and job creation.
These are the key areas where scientific research can directly transform our communities and improve sustainable livelihoods.”
Please full speech below:
SPEECH BY HON. JOHNSON ASIEDU NKETIA, NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC), GUEST OF HONOUR, AT THE 2ND EDITION OF THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCES SCIENCE FAIR
Theme: “Advancing Graduate Education for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Research Excellence and Global Impact”
The Vice-Chancellor, The Pro Vice-Chancellor, The Registrar, The Dean of the School of Sciences, Distinguished Faculty Members, Invited Guests, Researchers, Graduate Students, the media, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
It is indeed a great honour and privilege to join you today as the Guest of Honour at the Second Edition of the School of Sciences Science Fair. I am sincerely grateful to the organizers for extending this invitation to me to participate in this important academic event.
Permit me first to congratulate the School of Sciences for choosing such a timely and forward-looking theme: “Advancing Graduate Education for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Research Excellence, and Global Impact.” This theme reflects the realities of our rapidly changing world and underscores the critical role graduate education must play in addressing the developmental challenges confronting Ghana, Africa, and the global community.
As an indigene of the Bono Region, I take particular pride in witnessing academic institutions within our region and beyond, 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.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are living in an era defined by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, digital transformation, climate change, and the knowledge economy. Countries that invest heavily in research and innovation are leading the global race for economic prosperity and technological advancement. Those that neglect scientific research inevitably become consumers rather than producers of knowledge and technology.
Graduate education, therefore, is no longer simply about obtaining higher academic qualifications. It is about nurturing critical thinkers, innovators, entrepreneurs, policy advisors, and problem-solvers capable of transforming society.
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.
This Science Fair represents exactly that vision. It provides a platform for brilliant young minds to showcase creativity, test scientific ideas, and demonstrate how research can improve sustainable livelihoods .
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Research that remains on library shelves serves little purpose. Knowledge becomes truly valuable when it addresses real societal needs.
Our graduate students should be encouraged to focus their research on addressing contemporary societal issues in areas such as:
- Food security and sustainable agriculture;
- Climate resilience and environmental conservation;
- Healthcare innovations;
- Renewable energy solutions;
- Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies;
- Water and sanitation;
- Manufacturing and industrial development; and
- Entrepreneurship and job creation.
These are the key areas where scientific research can directly transform our communities and improve sustainable livelihoods.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Innovation and entrepreneurship must become inseparable components of graduate education.
Universities should not only produce graduates seeking employment but also innovators capable of creating employment. The laboratories of our universities should become breeding grounds for startups, patents, commercial products, and technological solutions.
Government, industry, financial institutions, and academia must strengthen collaboration to ensure that promising scientific discoveries receive the necessary support for commercialization.
No nation has become economically successful without investing significantly in scientific research and innovation.
Countries such as South Korea, Singapore, China, and Finland transformed their economies by investing heavily in education, science, technology 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.
As a politician and public servant, I firmly believe that scientific evidence should guide policymaking and drive our developmental agenda. National policies and programmes concerning agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, environmental protection, and industrialization should increasingly be informed by credible scientific research produced by our universities and other research institutions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to particularly encourage our graduate students.
Your degrees are not merely certificates; they represent responsibility.
Your research should not merely satisfy academic requirements, but should contribute meaningfully to solving national and global challenges.
Be curious….. Be innovative….. 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.
To the faculty members and supervisors, I commend your dedication in mentoring the next generation of scientists and researchers. Your contribution extends far beyond the classroom. You are shaping the intellectual foundation upon which future generations will build.
I also urge industry leaders present here to deepen partnerships with our universities through internships, collaborative research, funding opportunities, innovation hubs, and commercialization initiatives.
When academia and industry work together, innovation flourishes.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we celebrate scientific excellence today, let us remember that the ultimate purpose of science is service to humanity.
Science must reduce poverty.
Science must improve healthcare.
Science must protect our environment.
Science must strengthen food security.
Science must create decent and sustainable jobs.
Science must build peaceful and prosperous societies.
The future belongs to nations that embrace knowledge, innovation and research.
I therefore challenge every graduate student gathered here today to think globally while solving local problems.
The next groundbreaking innovation, the next life-saving medical discovery, the next transformative technological breakthrough could very well emerge from this very institution.
Let this Science Fair inspire collaboration across disciplines, strengthen partnerships between academia and industry, and ignite a passion for research that transcends the walls of our universities.
In conclusion, I congratulate the School of Sciences for organizing this remarkable event. May this Science Fair continue to grow in scope, excellence, and impact, becoming one of Ghana’s leading platforms for scientific discovery and innovation.
Together, let us build a future where graduate education serves as the engine of innovation, entrepreneurship, research excellence and sustainable national development.
I thank you for your kind attention.
God bless our universities. God bless the Bono Region. God bless Ghana.
Thank you.
