Ghana’s universities now engines of transformation

Clement Apaak, Deputy Minister for Education, has underscored the growing role of Ghana’s universities as key drivers of national transformation through research, innovation, and strategic global partnerships.

Speaking at the Ghana–Norway Academic Programme held at the University of Ghana on Friday, Dr. Apaak emphasized that higher education institutions are evolving beyond their traditional mandate of teaching to become catalysts for development.

“Today, our universities are not just centres of learning; they are engines of national transformation,” he stated, highlighting their increasing influence in shaping policy, advancing innovation, and addressing real-world challenges.

He pointed to ongoing collaborations with international partners, particularly Norway, as a strong example of how academic partnerships are contributing directly to solving pressing national issues in Ghana. According to him, joint research initiatives are already delivering meaningful results across several priority sectors.

“Through joint research in critical areas such as climate change, water resource management, public health, and coastal development, this partnership is producing solutions that directly address Ghana’s developmental priorities,” he noted.

Dr. Apaak further explained that these collaborations have significantly strengthened institutional capacity. They have led to the introduction of new postgraduate programmes, improvements in research infrastructure, and increased global visibility for Ghanaian universities.

“Importantly, these collaborations have led to the establishment of new postgraduate programmes, improved research infrastructure, and increased international visibility for our institutions,” he added.

Despite the progress made, the Deputy Minister stressed the need to sustain and expand these gains. He called for a stronger focus on translating academic research into practical outcomes that can inform policy decisions and drive development on the ground.

“Moving forward, our focus must be on scaling these gains and ensuring that research outcomes translate into policy and practice,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of closer alignment between academia and industry, noting that such collaboration is essential for ensuring that research remains relevant and impactful.

Dr. Apaak placed particular emphasis on the role of students and young researchers, describing them as central to the country’s future innovation ecosystem. “They are not just beneficiaries of these programmes. They are the future leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers who will carry this partnership forward,” he remarked.

The Ghana–Norway Academic Programme continues to serve as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaborative research, reinforcing the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development.