The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has intensified efforts to align its research activities with Ghana’s agro-processing value chain, as part of moves to strengthen the commercial application of its innovations.
In line with its mandate under the CSIR Act, 1996 (Act 521), the Council has established a dedicated Commercialisation Directorate to accelerate the market adoption of technologies, products, and innovations developed across its 13 research institutes.
The Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed this while responding to an urgent question on the floor of Parliament on Friday. He explained that the new directorate is responsible for rolling out strategic marketing initiatives, fostering partnerships with private sector players, and strengthening institutional capacity in business development and industry engagement.
According to the Minister, the initiative is designed to fast-track the transition of CSIR’s innovations from laboratory research to full-scale commercial deployment. He added that the Council is actively collaborating with commercial enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and agro-processors to scale up production, widen distribution networks, and integrate critical actors along the value chain, including farmers and marketers.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah further revealed that CSIR has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with private farms and industry stakeholders to embed research outputs directly into commercial operations.
Beyond partnerships, the Council is implementing capacity-building programmes for small-scale processors, focusing on post-harvest management, food safety compliance, product development, and packaging standards. These interventions are expected to promote sustainable business growth and generate employment opportunities.
The Minister cited products such as Prekese syrup and Prue gari as examples of innovations that have already been successfully commercialised and introduced to the market.
Additionally, CSIR has organised food fairs, exhibitions, and open days to showcase its technologies to investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, thereby boosting visibility and attracting investment.
The renewed push towards commercialisation is anticipated to strengthen agro-processing value chains, enhance national food and nutrition security, and create new economic linkages within Ghana’s agricultural sector.
