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Collaborate with Gov’t and NGOs to conduct innovative research…KTU Vice Chancellor tells tertiary institutions
The Vice Chancellor of Koforidua Technical University (KTU), Professor Kofi Essumang has called on tertiary institutions to collaborate with government and non-governmental actors to conduct innovative research and come out with good proposals for discussions and implementation, that would help the country to overcome its economic challenges, especially to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to him, the world and the country was in the moment of history, faced with serious challenges that confronted the global economy, “from the historically high unemployment rates particularly for young workers to the problems of exclusion and increasing inequality, persistent poverty in rural areas and an unacceptable conditions of work in the informal sector.”
He stated that overcoming these challenges required fresh thinking to elaborate innovative policy proposals, that could provide practical assistance to help solve real problems people faced and hence called on the tertiary institutions to collaborate to conduct research to solve these problems.
Professor Essumang was speaking at the 12th Annual International Applied Research and Technology Fair organised by KTU on the theme: “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Post COVID Era: The Role of Research, Innovation, and Technology Transfer.”
The conference, which brought together about 100 participants from academia and industry with shared interest in applied sciences was purposed to provide a platform to discuss research findings, practitioners’ presentation and dialogue on proposals on important developmental and economic issues.
The conference was also purposed to build effective collaboration between academia, industry and other research institutions as well as provide opportunity for businesses to exhibit their products and services and create investment opportunities.
Prof Essumang indicated that the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic lingered on, adding that the pandemic posed considerable challenge to attaining the SDGs.
“Researching into efficient SDG strategies is therefore urgently required to support the recovery process and strengthen comprehensive SDG actions,” he said.
He called on the tertiary institutions to greatly enhance their outreach and join forces with industry and conduct research into the country’s challenges and come out with innovative ideas that could be implemented to help solve the challenges.
For his part, the Acting Director for the Development Coordination Division of the National Development Planning Committee (NPA), Dr Winfred Nelson stated that adequate financing and enough resource mobilization was needed to invest into achieving the SDGs.
According to him, resource mobilization was a bit challenging, as 40 percent of budget needed to finance achieving of the SDGs came from development partners, and revealed that 43 billion was needed annually to implement various policies and programmes to achieving the SDGs.
“2030 is not too far away, seven years from now and hence there is the need to leverage how to get financing for our projects,” he explained and stated that alternative innovative financing, including green financing and encouragement of the private sector to come on board, were being considered to acquire funding to implement programmes and policies to help achieve the SDGs.
The Municipal Chief Executive of New Juaben South Constituency, Mr Isaac Appaw-Gyasi. who was chairman for the conference indicated that even though COVID-19 has had negative effects on achieving the SDGs, the government implemented policies such as digitization drive to move the country into more digitized and cashless economy, among other interventions.
He stated that research, innovation and technology if harnessed would position the country to accelerate its efforts to achieving the SDGs and added that government would continue to explore new measures to meet goals in order to fulfill the needs of the present generation without compromising future ones.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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People of Volta Region will soon have a sigh of relief- Roads and Highways Minister
The Minister for Roads and Highways has assured that the people of Volta Region will soon have a sigh of relief.
This follows an update from the Ministry on the Ho-Aflao Road and Weta – Afiadenyigba – Havedzi Road
The government has taken steps to fulfill its promise to reconstruct the Ho-Aflao and the Weta – Afiadenyigba – Havedzi Road.
Yesterday, the Minister, Kwame Agbodza, accompanied by the deputy minister, Alhassan Suhuyini, led a team of engineers from the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highway Authority to assess the conditions of the roads and plans for urgent intervention.
Mr.Agbodza indicated the whereas the Ho-Aflao Road will be reconstructed under the Big Push Agenda of President John Mahama, the Weta – Afiadenyigba – Havedzi Road will be funded through the Roads Ministry’s 2025 budgetary allocation.
The Minister further explained that feasibility studies, drawings, and designs for the Ho bypass are almost complete, with procurement and construction set to begin soon.
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Gender Minister participate in 2025 IWD Women’s Dialogue
On Saturday March 8, 2025, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, participated in the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) Women’s Dialogue.
The event, held under the patronage of Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, brought together policymakers, leaders, and advocates to discuss the theme: “Resetting the Agenda for Women: Accelerating Action on Women’s Rights, Equity, and Empowerment.”
The dialogue aimed to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while addressing the challenges they continue to face.
It also provided a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions that would accelerate action on women’s rights and empowerment, fostering collaboration on gender equality initiatives.
Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the need for inclusive and sustained efforts to promote women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and educational advancement.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey reiterated the urgency of accelerating action on women’s rights, equity, and empowerment.
She acknowledged the progress made in advancing gender equality but stressed that significant challenges remain, particularly in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
She emphasized that discussions should go beyond identifying these challenges to taking deliberate and transformative actions to address them. She called for concrete steps to turn commitments into lasting change, urging stakeholders to work together to develop policies, shift societal norms, and economically and politically empower women.
Underscoring the theme “Resetting the Agenda for Women: Accelerating Action on Women’s Rights, Equity, and Empowerment,” the Minister called for a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and drive real, measurable change.
She urged policymakers, civil society, and the private sector to collaborate on initiatives that empower women economically, challenge societal norms, and create inclusive spaces for women’s voices to be heard.
The Minister further emphasized that:
“Gender equality is not just about rights—it is about ensuring that women have the power and resources to shape their own destinies and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
She reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama’s Government commitment to advocating for gender equity and encouraged meaningful dialogue to inspire actionable strategies.
In conclusion, she called on all participants to actively contribute to shaping a future where women’s rights are fully realized, emphasizing that every action counts in achieving true gender equality.
