African scholars must take research beyond journals into policymaking – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Abas Apaak has urged African scholars to make their research more relevant to society by translating academic findings into practical contributions to education, public debate and policymaking.

He said scholarship in the humanities and social sciences should not remain confined to academic journals and conference proceedings but should inform decisions and interventions that respond to the needs of African communities.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 African Humanities Association Biennial Conference at the University of Ghana, Legon, on Tuesday, November 10, Dr. Apaak called for stronger collaboration among researchers, educators, policymakers and cultural institutions.

“I encourage members of the Association to take their scholarship beyond journals and conference proceedings: into classrooms, into public debate, into cultural institutions, and into the evidence that informs policy,” he said.

The conference is being held under the theme, “Engaging Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts Scholarship in Africa: Milestones and Aspirations”.

Dr. Apaak said research in the humanities and social sciences had important implications for curriculum development, teacher education, heritage preservation, citizenship education and the promotion of critical thinking.

He explained that an education system that recognises the histories, languages and cultural experiences of its people is better positioned to strengthen identity, belonging and shared responsibility.

According to him, young Africans who understand their societies and intellectual traditions are better equipped to engage confidently with the wider world.

The Deputy Education Minister also highlighted the importance of mentoring emerging scholars, describing investment in their development as essential to the future of African scholarship.

“Any academic tradition lives or dies by the opportunities it gives younger generations to build their capacity, pursue original research and join scholarly communities,” he said.

He urged established academics and institutions to provide mentorship, research support and opportunities for scholarly mobility to help younger researchers develop their capabilities.

Dr. Apaak further stressed the need for interdisciplinary research, noting that important questions about human societies often require knowledge and approaches from different academic fields.

He cited archaeology as an example of a discipline that draws on history, anthropology, geography and the natural sciences to understand the human past.

He said universities and research institutions must continue to encourage openness and collaboration across disciplines to strengthen scholarship on the continent.

The conference brings together scholars, researchers and creative practitioners from Africa and beyond to examine the achievements and future direction of humanities, social sciences and arts scholarship.