Ghana’s Future Lies in Innovation, Not Natural Resources – Mahama
President Mahama says Ghana must place research, technology, and human capital at the centre of its development agenda, arguing that innovation—not natural resources—will determine the nation’s long-term prosperity.
- Mahama says innovation is key to Ghana’s long-term economic prosperity
- President calls for research-led development through greater investment in technology and human capital
- Ghana National Research Fund launched to support innovation and address national challenges
President John Dramani Mahama has called for a fundamental shift in Ghana’s development approach, stressing that the country’s long-term prosperity will depend more on innovation, research, and knowledge-driven growth than on its natural resources.
Speaking at the official launch of the Ghana National Research Fund on Tuesday, June 16, President Mahama said Ghana must place research at the heart of national development planning and recognise it as a critical driver of economic transformation.
He noted that the establishment of the fund represents a major step towards strengthening Ghana’s research ecosystem and ensuring that scientific inquiry, innovation, and knowledge creation contribute directly to national development.
“Today, Ghana affirms that research can no longer be treated as a peripheral activity. It must become one of the engines that drive our economic growth, our social progress, and our national competitiveness,” he stated.
President Mahama observed that global competitiveness is no longer determined solely by natural resources, geography, or access to capital, but increasingly by a country’s ability to generate, apply, and scale innovative ideas.
According to him, economic success in the 21st century depends on sustained investment in research, technology, innovation, and human capital development, as well as the ability to transform knowledge into productive economic activity.
“The most successful economies in the world today are not necessarily those that are endowed with the greatest natural wealth. They are the economies that have consistently invested in research, technology innovation, and human capital development,” he added.
The Ghana National Research Fund is expected to provide financial support for researchers, tertiary institutions, and innovation-driven projects aimed at addressing the country’s development challenges in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, energy, and industry.
President Mahama expressed optimism that the initiative would help unlock Ghana’s intellectual potential and position the country to compete effectively in the global knowledge economy.
