Chief of Staff at the Jubilee House, Dr. Julius Debrah, has challenged the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to ensure that its research goes beyond academic publications to create jobs, businesses and practical solutions that improve the lives of Ghanaians.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the investiture of Professor Christian Agyare as the 13th Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Dr. Debrah said universities must become engines of innovation and entrepreneurship if Ghana is to achieve sustainable economic transformation.
He acknowledged that Ghana’s economy was showing encouraging signs of recovery but cautioned that economic growth would only be meaningful if it translated into employment opportunities and improved living standards.
“We cannot be satisfied with an economy that grows on paper while too many young people remain outside its opportunities. Our task is to convert growth into jobs, knowledge into enterprise and national progress into visible improvements in people’s lives,” he stated.
Dr. Debrah described KNUST as a key institution in Ghana’s development agenda, emphasizing that its research and innovation should directly address the country’s pressing economic and social challenges.
He urged the university to move discoveries beyond lecture halls and laboratories into commercially viable products and businesses.
“We need research that does not end with a thesis on a shelf. Ideas must move from laboratories into prototypes, patents, products and successful businesses,” he said.
According to him, breakthroughs in pharmacy, engineering, agriculture and digital technology should be transformed into practical solutions capable of strengthening local industries, boosting productivity and improving the quality of life for citizens.
He stressed that research fulfils its greatest purpose when it delivers tangible benefits to society by creating jobs, driving innovation and supporting national development.
Dr. Debrah also called for stronger collaboration between academia, industry and government, saying such partnerships are essential to ensuring that university research responds to real-world challenges.
He encouraged businesses to invest in research, internships and innovation, while urging universities to remain responsive to industry needs without compromising academic excellence.
The Chief of Staff further appealed to KNUST’s alumni to play an active role in the university’s development by serving as mentors, investors and strategic partners to help bridge the gap between academia and industry.
Professor Christian Agyare’s investiture as the university’s 13th Vice-Chancellor comes at a time when KNUST is expected to strengthen its position as a leading centre for research, innovation and technological advancement in Ghana and across Africa.
Story By: Eric Boateng
