Scholarly society urges govt to integrate research into policy-making
The Ghana Scholarly Society (GSS), an academic think tank, has called for continuous integration of academic research into policy-making.
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This, it said, should be done in line with legal frameworks to ensure balanced development and legal compliance.
The GSS expressed its readiness to collaborate with the government of Ghana and international stakeholders to ensure that policies were informed by the latest research and aligned with both national priorities and global best practices.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the GSS Head of Media Relations, Dr Joseph Kwadwo Danquah, an Assistant Professor at the University of Bradford, UK after its recently ended conference held at the Norcroft Centre of the University from June 19 to 20, 2024.
The GSS also urged policymakers, academics and industry leaders to engage with its findings and work together towards achieving sustainable development.
The conference produced the GSS ground breaking policy brief on innovation and pathways to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries.
It brought together over 100 academics and industry leaders from Ghana, the UK, Finland, Portugal, Canada, France and Japan who engaged in rich discussions on multidisciplinary research related to the SDGs.
The statement said, the discussions focused on innovation solutions to complex social issues facing Ghana and the broader African continent.
It said key topics discussed during the conference included social care, health, cybersecurity, human development, food security, education, accounting, finance, economics and engineering.
It said the GSS was dedicated to uniting Ghanaian academics worldwide, leveraging their collective expertise to advance knowledge and drive impactful policy-making that fostered sustainable development.
Key insights
The statement said, the conference was opened by the President of the GSS, Dr Kweku Adams, an Associate Professor at the University of Bradford, who highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts and a multidisciplinary approach to achieving the SDGs.
"Ghana can achieve its development goals by embracing academic collaboration,” he noted, underscoring the transformative power of integrating academic research into policymaking to enhance the quality of life for all Ghanaians.
The statement said the event that marked a significant stride towards integrating cutting-edge academic research into Ghana's national development strategies saw Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland, Papa Owusu Ankomah, delivering the Keynote address.
It said, Papa Owusu Ankomah address emphasised the vital role of higher education institutions and scholars in shaping both national and global development agendas.
The statement said, he commended organisers for their visionary leadership.
“Academic conferences like this are crucial for discussing solutions to global challenges and guiding policymakers. The GSS is poised to drive the intellectual and practical advancements necessary to achieve Ghana’s ambitious development goals" Mr Ankomah stated.
Conference
The conference highlighted several critical areas for policy intervention, including economic, diversification, public health and safety, and strengthening institutional frameworks.
It said the other keynote speakers for the conference included, the Dean of the Bradford School of Management, University of Bradford, Prof. Sankar Sivarajah; Prof. of Management and Strategy, St York University, Prof. David Weir; a Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Bradford, Prof. Udy Archibong; the Dean of Graduate Studies, Akenteng Appiah Menka University, Prof. Humphrey Danso; Prof. Richard Nyuur, University of Bradford and Prof. Gloria Agyemang, Royal Holloway, University of London.