Ghana must turn scientific research into practical industrial solutions – CSIR-IIR director

The new Director of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR), Dr William Owusu Oduro, has called for a shift towards industry-focused scientific research, warning that innovations that fail to address manufacturers’ practical needs could undermine Ghana’s industrial ambitions. He says research institutions must prioritise technologies that help local businesses improve production, reduce costs and compete with imported products.

Delivering his inaugural address, Dr Oduro proposed an industry immersion programme that would place technical staff directly within manufacturing companies to identify operational challenges and develop practical solutions. He said the initiative would help researchers better understand the needs of businesses and produce technologies that could be adopted and commercialised, rather than remaining at the prototype stage.

Dr Oduro cited trade figures for January to August 2026, which he said showed that China exported goods worth US$10.2 billion to Ghana, an increase of about 23 per cent compared with the same period in 2025. Ghana, in contrast, exported goods worth US$1.3 billion to China, representing a decline from previous years. He said the imbalance was also reflected in the composition of trade between the two countries, with China’s exports consisting largely of finished, high-value products, while Ghana’s exports were dominated by petroleum and manganese.

According to him, the figures underscore the need for Ghana to strengthen its manufacturing capacity and develop local technologies that can support more efficient production. Private sector urged to invest in research Dr Oduro also identified inadequate funding as a major constraint facing research institutions, arguing that greater private-sector investment would be necessary to sustain innovation and ensure research delivers commercial value.

“The money we need for research is with the private sector,” he said. He explained that businesses were more likely to invest in research when its outcomes could improve profitability, reduce operational costs or address specific production challenges. He said CSIR-IIR must therefore align its research agenda with industry needs and demonstrate the commercial value of its innovations to attract investment and build sustainable partnerships.

Dr Oduro believes stronger collaboration between researchers and manufacturers would help bridge the gap between scientific innovation and industrial application, making research a more active contributor to Ghana’s economic transformation.