The Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has welcomed the launch of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF), describing it as an important step towards strengthening research, innovation and knowledge-driven development in the country.

In a statement signed by its National President, Richard Class-Peters, GRASAG said the establishment of the Fund under the Ghana National Research Fund Act, 2020 (Act 1056), demonstrates Ghana’s commitment to investing in research and innovation to address national development challenges.

The association commended the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders for operationalising the Fund.

GRASAG also acknowledged the roles of the Chairperson of the Governing Board, Prof. Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, and the Acting Administrator of the Fund, Prof. Abigail Opoku Mensah, in guiding the institution.

The association noted that graduate students play a key role in Ghana’s research ecosystem through their involvement in research design, data collection, analysis and the development of solutions to national challenges.

It therefore called on the Fund to establish accessible, transparent and equitable funding opportunities for graduate researchers.

According to GRASAG, support should cover areas such as thesis and dissertation research, fieldwork, laboratory access, publication costs, innovation projects and policy-focused studies.

The association further expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Ghana National Research Fund, government agencies, academic institutions, industry and development partners to ensure the Fund delivers meaningful outcomes for researchers and the country.

GRASAG said the launch of the Fund should usher in a new phase in which research contributes more directly to policymaking, innovation supports industry and graduate students are given the resources needed to contribute to national development.

The statement was signed by Richard Class-Peters, National President of the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana.