Accra, Ghana – Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting science, technology, innovation, and environmental governance as key drivers of Ghana’s sustainable development and industrial transformation.
During a working visit to the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), the Vice President was received by the Acting Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, alongside the Chief Director, the Ministry’s management, and heads of its agencies.
The Ministry briefed the Vice President on its mandate and oversight responsibilities for key institutions, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the National Biosafety Authority, and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority. These agencies play critical roles in advancing scientific research, environmental protection, technological innovation, and sustainable resource management.
Officials also highlighted progress in implementing the Government’s environmental and industrial transformation agenda. Among the achievements outlined were the implementation of the Circular Economy Policy on plastics, the National Foundry and Machine Tools Project, initiatives to promote green jobs and clean cooking technologies, advances in electronic waste management, climate-smart agricultural research, strengthened environmental regulation, ongoing efforts toward establishing a Ghana Space Agency, and Ghana’s leadership in international carbon market initiatives under the Paris Agreement.
The Ministry further emphasized efforts to bridge the gap between scientific research and commercialization through the National Science, Technology and Innovation Forum, while identifying funding constraints, shortages of scientific personnel, ageing laboratory infrastructure, and the need to strengthen environmental legislation as key challenges.
Addressing the gathering, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang commended the Acting Minister, management, and staff for their dedication and emphasized that effective governance depends on translating policies into tangible results through continuous monitoring and evaluation.
She stressed that science is central to national development and called for greater public education to complement the enforcement of environmental laws. Referring to recent flooding in parts of the country, she noted that public awareness and responsible citizen behaviour are essential to preventing environmental degradation and ensuring compliance with regulations.
The Vice President also underscored the growing threat of climate change, observing that although Africa contributes only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, it bears a disproportionate burden of the impacts. She urged Ghana to remain actively engaged in international climate negotiations while positioning itself to access global climate financing opportunities.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang further encouraged stronger collaboration between MESTI and other government institutions to boost local manufacturing, create jobs, promote research commercialization, and advance the Government’s industrialization agenda.
She also highlighted the importance of protecting public lands from encroachment and strengthening environmental governance to safeguard national assets.
The Vice President reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting the Ministry’s efforts to harness science, technology, and innovation as critical pillars for sustainable national development.
Source: Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, via Facebook.
Reported by
Obed Yaw Agyei