Trade Minister Pushes University-Industry Partnerships

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The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has called for stronger collaboration between universities and manufacturing companies, urging Ghanaian businesses to draw on scientific research and technological expertise to strengthen local production and expand export opportunities.She made the call at the 14th Global Biennial Congress and Alumni Homecoming of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in an event which  brought together alumni from Ghana and abroad, alongside the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and other distinguished guests.Addressing the gathering, the Minister challenged graduates to contribute their professional expertise, financial resources and industry experience to the university, stressing that Ghana’s industrial ambitions would depend partly on how effectively academic research was translated into commercially viable products.

“My message to our alumni is bring your problems, your time, your capital and your work home to KNUST. Our laboratories and our factories must work as partners if Ghana is to make what it consumes and sell what it makes.”

Her message places renewed emphasis on the relationship between scientific research, industrial production and export development, with universities expected to play a more direct role in solving business problems and supporting the development of competitive Ghanaian products.

The Minister’s remarks reflect a longstanding challenge in Ghana’s economic transformation: ensuring that knowledge generated by tertiary institutions translates into practical applications that businesses can adopt, commercialise and scale.KNUST train scientists, engineers, technologists and other professionals whose skills can support manufacturing, agro-processing, product development and industrial modernisation.

However, the economic benefits of that expertise depend on sustained engagement between researchers and companies that understand market demand and production requirements.Under a stronger university-industry partnership, manufacturers could approach university laboratories to develop products, improve production processes, test raw materials, enhance quality standards and identify alternatives to imported inputs. Researchers, in turn, would gain access to practical industrial challenges that could guide their work towards solutions with commercial value.Such cooperation could be particularly important for Ghana’s agribusiness sector, where locally available agricultural commodities can serve as inputs for processed foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other manufactured goods.For example, collaboration between food scientists and agro-processing businesses could support the development of new products from cassava, cocoa, fruits and other crops.

Engineering departments could also assist factories in improving machinery efficiency, reducing waste and adapting technologies to local production conditions.The Minister’s appeal therefore extends beyond financial contributions to KNUST. It calls for alumni to use their positions in industry, government and entrepreneurship to create working relationships that connect academic knowledge with the needs of the productive economy.

The economic significance of the proposal is underscored by the contribution of manufacturing to Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP). Businesses must be able to access appropriate technologies, reliable inputs, skilled workers, affordable financing and the technical capacity to meet domestic and international product standards.Research institutions can contribute to several of these requirements by helping manufacturers improve efficiency, develop new products and meet quality specifications.

When such support is accessible, businesses may be better positioned to reduce production costs, improve product consistency and compete against imported alternatives.

“Our laboratories and our factories must work as partners if Ghana is to make what it consumes and sell what it makes.”

The Minister’s appeal also places responsibility on KNUST graduates to contribute to the institution’s continued development.

Alumni working in manufacturing, agribusiness, finance, technology and public administration can provide more than donations. Their professional networks, business experience and access to investment opportunities can help connect researchers with companies, create mentorship opportunities and open pathways for graduates entering the workforce.

The university’s 14th Global Biennial Congress and Alumni Homecoming provided a platform for renewing these relationships under the theme, “KNUST’s Journey to Global Eminence: The Transformative Role of Alumni.”

The gathering’s focus on alumni engagement reinforces the importance of sustained support for institutions responsible for training skilled professionals and advancing research.

For the government, closer cooperation between academia and industry could also support wider industrial policy objectives by helping businesses develop local capabilities rather than relying exclusively on imported technologies and technical services.

“Bring your problems, your time, your capital and your work home to KNUST.”

The call suggests a practical approach to alumni engagement in which companies identify challenges for researchers to address, experienced professionals mentor students, and investors support promising innovations with commercial potential.

The Minister’s proposal will depend on the partnerships established after the congress. Regular engagement, clearly defined research priorities, adequate funding and measurable commercial outcomes will be necessary to turn the appeal into lasting industrial benefits.

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