CSIR Research Must Deliver Scalable, Economically Viable Solutions – Environment Minister

The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to focus on research and pilot projects that can be scaled up, replicated and translated into economically viable solutions for national development.

She said research institutions needed to demonstrate the practical and economic value of their work while addressing environmental challenges and safeguarding the interests of future generations.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stated this during a familiarisation visit to CSIR, where she engaged the leadership and researchers of the institution and its 13 institutes.

She said CSIR had a wide range of research and expertise that could contribute to addressing challenges such as land degradation and water pollution, adding that the institution needed to strengthen the link between research, industry and government.

“I am looking forward to proposals from the various agencies on what we can do in terms of remediation of land, in terms of our water purification, what pilot projects can we do,” she said.

The Minister said available funding opportunities should also be leveraged to support research and pilot projects capable of demonstrating that locally developed solutions could be scaled up and replicated.

She said such projects should not only address environmental concerns but also make economic sense and provide sustainable solutions for the country.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings further encouraged CSIR to review its existing research and identify projects that could be showcased and developed for wider application.

She said the country already possessed considerable scientific expertise and research capacity and therefore needed to make better use of those resources rather than continually looking outside Ghana for technological solutions.

The Minister also called for stronger collaboration between government, the scientific community and industry to translate research into practical products and services that could be adopted by the private sector.

She said the commercialisation of research could also help strengthen CSIR’s capacity to retain scientists and improve conditions of service.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said the Ministry would continue engaging CSIR and other research institutions to identify areas where their research could contribute to national development and environmental protection.

Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD