President of the Christian Service University College, Prof. Samuel Kofi Afrane has decried the underutilisation and commercialisation of academic research works in Ghana.

He says most research projects undertaken by postgraduate students seem to only satisfy the completion of their academic degrees than contributing to national development.

His comments come on the backs of the low allocation of the country’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) activities.

Prof. Afrane questioned the potential of research in fostering development when successive governments fail to prioritise research work to inform policies.

“Is there any intentional policy or programme to make them relevant to the needs of the country? Are we concerned about the uptake of the research findings of our graduate students? Are the findings utilized or they are left on the shelves of libraries to gather dust?" he quizzed. "In actual fact, it appears these research projects are only intended to satisfy the requirement for award of Masters or Doctoral degrees”.

Available statistics indicate that Ghana's gross domestic expenditure on research & development (GERD) accounted for 0.38 per cent of its GDP in 2022.

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The share has remained the same since 2020.

In absolute terms, the country spent $700 million on R&D in 2022.

The figures reflect how many developing countries in Africa have failed to acknowledge the essence of research for nation-building.

Already, the government of Ghana has introduced Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to shift the country’s educational eye from humanities to the sciences [in 40:60 ratio].

Prof. Samuel Afrane however, believes investing more in graduate research works would be tantamount to speedy national development through a solution-oriented postgraduate education.

“The developed countries do not only invest high amounts into research but they also contribute a relatively higher percentage of their GDPs to research investment. Whereas the lowest GDP ratio was 2.1 per cent for the developed nations, the highest for the African countries was 1.0 per cent. These research investment patterns explain the global disparities in development architecture or levels of the nations of the world,” he said.

He continued that: “Anecdotal evidence available suggests that globally, much of the research leading to scientific innovations, discoveries and breakthroughs are conducted by graduate students. Many graduate research, particularly in advanced countries are designed to provide solutions to the problems and needs of industry, organisations, cities and communities”.

Prof. Afrane was speaking on the theme:” Postgraduate Education and National Development” at the 46th Special Congregation of the Christian Service University College in Kumasi.

The immediate past Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Professor Victor Kwame Agyemang, buttressed calls for postgraduate research investment.

He emphasised the imperativeness of postgraduate education to address the living standards of the country.

“The most important education you can give anyone may not just be vocational skills but you must be able to inculcate in them critical thinking and analytical skills. That’s what postgraduate education gives. A country can fully develop if it puts emphasis on postgraduate education,” he said.

Prof. Afrane also suggests the development of policies and programmes by the Ministries of Education, Science and Technology, and Trades to direct and harness graduate research.

“Give direction as to what graduate students should spend their precious time, energies and intellectual abilities on in terms of research topics. Giving research grants and scholarships to approved topics from industry and research problems of high priority to the nation. Assist and support the universities and research institutions to disseminate and commercialise the research output,” he suggested.

A total of 206 graduated in various programmes including MA Christian Ministry with Management, MSc. Accounting and Finance, MSc. Monitoring and Evaluation, MSc. Corporate Planning and Governance, and Postgraduate in Ministry.