The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) to organise an annual Industrial Innovation Fair.

The two-day Innovation Fair is aimed at harnessing innovation and technology for industrial growth and resilience as well as providing a platform for engagement in Science, Technology and Innovation.

Giving an overview of the fair during the signing of the MoU, at the Head Office of the CSIR yesterday, the Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Ms Benedicta Nkrumah-Boateng said the fair was hinged on three key objectives.

That, she indicated was to provide a formidable platform for industry players, to educate scientists and innovators to provide the requisite technology for operations, and to shape policy design and implementation in the industrial sector.

In furtherance, Ms Nkrumah-Boateng noted that the fair, which would be on theme: Addressing Industrial through Research and Innovation, would target policymakers the private sector, regulatory agencies, research institutions, international partners, academia, and the general public.

Some activities to take place during the fair would be panel discussions, pitching sessions, an exhibition, networking programmes among others.

The outcome of the aforementioned activities would be to increase awareness of science, technology, and innovation to drive industrial productivity, link research, science, and technology to industrial needs.

Others were to increase access to research, science, and technology at an affordable rate, build start-ups and increase employment opportunities, and discuss funding support options for innovation and research.

However, Ms Nkrumah-Boateng explained that the activities which were in line with the goal and objectives of the fair were subjected to changes.
In his opening remarks, the Director-General of the CSIR, Professor Paul P. Bosu underscored the importance of working together with the private sector as the research institute had worked with various industry players in the private sector over the past couple of years.

Additionally, he explained that the research institute had created affiliate centres such as CSIR Plus, a privately owned company to enable it to effectively engage industry players in the private sector.

Although it had entered into partnership agreements with various individual companies, Prof Bosu said the fair provided an opportunity for the research institute to partner with a whole range of industry players.
He commended the GNCCI for the partnership and further called on other stakeholders to follow suit.

The President of the GNCCI, Mr Clement Osei Amoako emphasised the importance of science and research in the current digital age of globalisation.
“Ghana’s industrial sector holds numerous potentials and it is our responsibility to leverage it for sustainable growth, job creation and overall prosperity.

The signing of this MoU between CSIR and GNCCI marks an important step in bridging the gap between the needs of our Ghanaian industries and the vast potential of research and innovation”, Mr Amoako explained.

The country, Mr Amoako said, could unlock opportunities for growth, sustainability, and prosperity by bridging the gap between her industry needs and the vast potential of research, science, and technology.

According to him, businesses needed not to be just prudent with its scarce resources considering the current economic and financial challenges, but also leverage on research and technology to meet the changing needs of the market.

Mr Amoako further called on all relevant stakeholders to actively participate and contribute to the success of the innovation fair.

BY BENEDICTA GYIMMAH-FOLLEY

Photo: Innovation Fair 1
Caption: Prof Bosu and Mr Amoako displaying the signed documents