Our future must be built on knowledge, not consumption – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, says Ghana’s long-term prosperity depends on investing in knowledge creation and innovation.

Delivering a keynote address at the first University of Mines and Technology (UMaT)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Sustainability Science and Infrastructure Development in Tarkwa, Dr. Apaak said the country must shift from a consumption-driven model to one anchored on research and homegrown solutions.

He said the government is taking deliberate steps to build a knowledge-driven economy, citing the launch of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF) by President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

“The future we seek cannot be built on consumption alone; it must be built on knowledge creation, scientific discovery, and innovation,” Dr. Apaak stated.

He explained that the GH¢100 million fund represents a major investment in Ghana’s future and would support cutting-edge research, strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, and equip researchers to develop solutions to national and global challenges.

The Ghana National Research Fund is an active statutory body established to create a sustainable, locally owned financing ecosystem that bridges the historical gap between academic research and commercial industrial production.

President Mahama has also urged Ghanaians to aspire to produce knowledge locally rather than rely on imported knowledge to drive national development.

Dr. Apaak said the investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to transforming research into a strategic pillar of economic growth and global competitiveness.

“Our commitment to research and innovation is not merely rhetorical; it is being backed by deliberate policy action and investment,” he said.

He added that universities must broaden their responsibilities beyond teaching and become centres of innovation, entrepreneurship and technological advancement that directly support national development.

The Deputy Minister also challenged researchers, scholars and students to ensure their work produces measurable benefits for society.

“Let your research solve problems. Let your innovations improve lives. Let your discoveries strengthen communities. Let your knowledge create opportunities,” he said.

Dr. Apaak stressed that Ghana’s future competitiveness would depend on its ability to convert knowledge into practical outcomes, urging stronger partnerships among government, academia, industry and international institutions to build a resilient and sustainable future for the country.