Ghana’s Prosperity Will Be Driven by Innovation, Not Natural Resources – Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has called for a shift in Ghana’s development strategy, stressing that the nation’s future economic success will depend more on innovation, research and human capital development than on its natural resource wealth.

Speaking at the launch of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF) on Tuesday, June 16, the President said research and innovation must become central pillars of Ghana’s development agenda if the country is to achieve sustainable economic growth and global competitiveness.

According to him, the creation of the Fund represents a significant step toward strengthening Ghana’s research ecosystem and ensuring that scientific discoveries, technological advancement and knowledge creation contribute directly to national development.

President Mahama emphasized that research should no longer be viewed as a secondary activity but as a critical engine for economic transformation, social progress and national competitiveness.

“Today, Ghana affirms that research can no longer be treated as a peripheral activity. It must become one of the engines that drive our economic growth, our social progress, and our national competitiveness,” he stated.

The President noted that the nature of global competition has changed significantly, with success increasingly determined by a country's ability to generate, apply and commercialise ideas rather than relying solely on natural resources or geographical advantages.

He argued that nations that consistently invest in research, technology, innovation and education are better positioned to create wealth, solve local challenges and compete effectively in the global economy.

Mahama observed that the world's most advanced economies have achieved their progress through sustained investment in knowledge creation, scientific development and human capital rather than through natural resource abundance alone.

“The most successful economies in the world today are not necessarily those that are endowed with the greatest natural wealth. They are the economies that have consistently invested in research, technology innovation, and human capital development,” he said.

He stressed that Ghana must embrace a knowledge-driven development model capable of producing innovative solutions in critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, energy, manufacturing and industry.

The Ghana National Research Fund is expected to provide sustainable financial support for researchers, universities, scientific institutions and innovation-focused projects, helping to bridge the gap between research findings and practical national development outcomes.

Government officials believe the initiative will strengthen the country's capacity for scientific discovery, technological advancement and problem-solving, while promoting economic diversification and long-term growth.

President Mahama maintained that investing in research and innovation is essential to building a resilient economy and ensuring that Ghana remains competitive in an increasingly knowledge-based global environment.