The Minister for Environment, Science Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie has assured the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Food and Industrial Institute that government will absorb its electricity tariff.

According to him, electricity is an important input needed by the research institution in the effective running of its operations, thus the need to relief the institute of such cost.

“Electricity is indeed an input product in your activities. It is not to be treated as expense because your labs have to be on for 24hours, seven days all year round.  It should be looked on as a public good and all the electricity bills that are threatening to swell you up, we have to do something about that…and even if I have to get the attention of the president, I have to do that.”

Speaking during a familiarization tour of the CSIR, the Minister admonished scientists to adopt innovative ways to boost the commercialization of their research findings.

He acknowledged that researches done by Ghanaian scientists have commercial value, but have been stalled due to low visibility and awareness.

He urged scientists to be good marketers of their products to be able to attract both the local and international market.

The full potential of your research efforts are not being realised, because communication between scientists, extension officers and farmers still remain very weak.

The tour was aimed at interacting with staff of the CSIR to obtain have a first-hand information about their operations.

The Minister used the opportunity to call on scientists to be vocal about their achievements.

He believes this will attract investors and tourists to patronize made in Ghana innovations.

The Director-General of the Institute, Prof. Victor K. Agyeman in his remarks said the CSIR is working to be competitive on the international market, through scientific and technological research. 

Our vision as an Institute is to be recognized nationally and internationally as a Science and technology institute, playing a key role in the transformation of the food processing industry and to become internationally competitive.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has the mandate to lead the country into the development and shaping of science policy and the promotion of information technology and innovation in Ghana