The first batch of 20 graduate students of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research College of Science and Technology has graduated.

They undertook Master of Science and Philosophy degree programmes, including Climate Change and Integrated Natural Resource Management.

Prof Jophus Anamuah-Mensah is the college’s Board Chairman.

He says the school seeks to train scientists to acquire skills and attitudes to contribute towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

It also wants ‘’to change this narrative by supporting to increase output of postgraduate training tenfold in the next decade.”

A 2017 report by the United Nations Education and Scientific Organization says Sub Saharan Africa has only 88 researchers per million people.

This compares to global average of 1,081 researchers per million, with Ghana having 38.7.

Minister of Environment Science Technology and Innovation, Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng graced the occasion.

He urged the graduating students to leverage their expertise to improve the socio-economic development of the country.

“The most important test of permeation of science and technology into the life of the nation will be the nation’s ability and capability to meet the basic needs of the population which are food, shelter, clothing, health and security.”

“As a people we should not be afraid to break new grounds,” he emphasized.

The event also saw the investiture of Prof Mark Appiah as President succeeding Prof Joe Cobbinah.