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Nana Aba Appiah Amfo urges operationalisation of National Research Fund
•2 min read•1 source
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, has called for the immediate and full operationalisation of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF). Speaking at an international roundtable hosted by Johns Hopkins University on October 6, 2026, Professor Amfo emphasised that while the fund was officially launched in June 2026, researchers are yet to receive the concrete financial support necessary to drive scientific progress. She noted that it has been over six years since the fund was first established by law, and accelerated efforts are now required to bridge the gap between policy and practice.
The National Research Fund was established under the Ghana National Research Fund Act of 2020 (Act 1024) to provide a sustainable and dedicated source of funding for research in public universities and research institutions. Despite the legislative framework being in place for several years, Professor Amfo highlighted that the transition to an active, grant-disbursing entity has been slow. She argued that the fund's primary objective must be to offer robust, tangible support to scientists and academics who are currently facing significant resource constraints in their pursuit of innovation and development-oriented research.
Beyond the immediate funding needs, the Vice-Chancellor also advocated for a broader cultural shift within Ghana's academic landscape. She underscored the importance of involving undergraduate students in research activities early in their education to build a pipeline of future scholars. Additionally, Professor Amfo encouraged Ghanaian professionals and scholars in the diaspora to collaborate more closely with local institutions. By bridging the gap between domestic research and international expertise, she suggested that the country could better leverage its intellectual resources to address pressing national challenges and foster long-term development.
