Ghana must reform its innovation diffusion strategy to break the barriers between academic research and real-world application, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), has said.

Speaking at the Biannual Environment, Science and Technology (BEST) Forum in Accra, Dr Muhammed said many breakthrough discoveries remained locked in laboratories and research institutions, limiting their economic potential.

“We have brilliant minds in our universities and research institutions.” Dr Muhammed stated, adding, “Yet too often, their groundbreaking work remains confined to academic or laboratory roles, instead of being transformed into vital goods and services that grow our economy.”

The Forum, held on the theme, “Bridging the Gap to Improve Ghana’s Innovation and Research Commercialisation Ecosystem for Economic Development”, brought together academics, entrepreneurs, government officials, and investors to find solutions to one of the country’s enduring development bottlenecks, innovation that does not scale.

Dr Muhammad stressed the need for strategic collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers, noting that while many institutions had strong ideas, they lacked the financial and structural support to commercialise them.

“We must establish strong networks that connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors,” he said. “Partnership is essential to drive innovation forward. Only by facilitating these connections can we build a robust ecosystem where innovation thrives.”

Mr Edmund Moukala, UNESCO Country Director, who echoed the Minister’s sentiments, said governments must not only create space for innovation but also ensure a conducive regulatory and financial environment that encourages risk-taking and investment.

“Innovations must receive the support needed to move from prototype to production,” he noted. “This includes expanding and equipping incubators and accelerators, and ensuring clear policies that protect intellectual property rights.”

Mr Moukala said Ghana could become a hub for innovation-driven growth if public-private partnerships were deepened and researchers were supported with tools to translate their ideas into commercial solutions that met market needs.

Ms Suweibatu Adam, Chief Director at MESTI, said the Ministry was prioritising collective action through new platforms designed to bring all ecosystem players together.

One such intervention, she said, was the creation of a “common market space” to allow innovators, businesses, and government actors to exchange ideas, technologies, and investment opportunities.

She emphasised that Ghana must overcome the “disconnect between the research bench and the production line” if it wanted to fully harness science, technology, and innovation for national development.

The BEST Forum serves as a platform to promote innovation, foster collaboration, and raise awareness of the importance of science and technology across sectors. It is also geared toward advancing sustainable development and addressing socio-economic challenges through the commercialisation of home-grown solutions.