The Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) states that the newly launched Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF) should offer accessible, transparent, and equitable funding opportunities for graduate researchers.
According to the Association, the launch of the Fund marks a significant milestone that goes beyond mere ceremonial achievement.
President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, launched the Ghana National Research Fund at the Labadi Beach Hotel, as part of the government’s broader “Resetting Agenda”, which is intended to provide sustainable and predictable financing for research and innovation.
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Speaking at the launch, he emphasised that research and innovation are no longer optional but critical tools for national development, competitiveness and economic sovereignty.
In a statement from GRASAG following the official launch, it warmly welcomes the initiative and describes it as a major step in Ghana’s commitment to building a knowledge-driven, innovative, and globally competitive economy.
“At the heart of Ghana’s research ecosystem are graduate students. Across our universities and research institutions, graduate students design studies, collect data, analyse evidence, test ideas, and generate solutions to national problems. They are not peripheral actors in the research space; they are central to Ghana’s knowledge production and development agenda.
“GRASAG therefore calls for the Fund to deliberately create accessible, transparent, and equitable funding pathways for graduate researchers, including support for thesis and dissertation work, field research, laboratory access, publication costs, innovation, and policy-relevant studies,” the statement said.
The initiative, GRASAG believes, must mark a new era where research informs policy, innovation supports industry, and graduate students are empowered to contribute fully to Ghana’s transformation.
That said, GRASAG expressed its readiness to work with the Ghana National Research Fund, government, academia, industry, and development partners to ensure that this Fund “delivers real value to researchers and to the country.”
It applauded the Government, the Ministry of Education, and all stakeholders who have worked to bring the Fund into full operation.
Below is the full statement by GRASAG
POSITION STATEMENT BY GRASAG ON THE LAUNCH OF THE GHANA NATIONAL RESEARCH FUND
The Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) warmly welcomes the launch of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF), established under the Ghana National Research Fund Act, 2020 (Act 1056). This is a major step in Ghana’s commitment to building a knowledge-driven, innovative, and globally competitive economy.
The launch of the Fund is not merely a ceremonial achievement. It is a bold national statement that Ghana is ready to invest in ideas, evidence, innovation, and the intellectual capacity needed to solve our development challenges.
GRASAG commends the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Education, and all stakeholders who have worked to bring the Fund into operation. We also recognise the leadership of Prof. Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, Chairperson of the Governing Board, and Prof. Abigail Opoku Mensah, Acting Administrator of the Fund, whose roles are critical in shaping the direction, credibility, and impact of this important national institution.
At the heart of Ghana’s research ecosystem are graduate students. Across our universities and research institutions, graduate students design studies, collect data, analyse evidence, test ideas, and generate solutions to national problems. They are not peripheral actors in the research space; they are central to Ghana’s knowledge production and development agenda.
GRASAG therefore calls for the Fund to deliberately create accessible, transparent, and equitable funding pathways for graduate researchers, including support for thesis and dissertation work, field research, laboratory access, publication costs, innovation, and policy-relevant studies.
As the national voice of graduate students, GRASAG stands ready to work with the Ghana National Research Fund, government, academia, industry, and development partners to ensure that this Fund delivers real value to researchers and to the country.
The launch of the Ghana National Research Fund must mark a new era where research informs policy, innovation supports industry, and graduate students are empowered to contribute fully to Ghana’s transformation.
When Ghana invests in graduate research, Ghana invests in its future.
Signed
Richard Class-Peters
National President
Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana
