SGCI is Strengthening Research Systems in Africa: A Conversation with Cephas Adjei Mensah, Ghana

African countries are increasingly leveraging regional collaboration to strengthen their research systems and drive socio-economic progress, inspiring hope for the future of the African science community.

In an exclusive video interview, Cephas Adjei Mensah, Director for Research, Statistics, and Information Management at Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), discusses how Ghana and other member countries are benefiting from the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI). He emphasizes how the initiative fosters sustainable funding models and expands global research connections.

Pooling resources vital

Mensah discusses the importance of partnerships in creating sustainable funding models for scientific collaboration. He emphasises co-creation, where multiple countries pool resources to support cross-border research and innovation. He said the Africa Water, Energy, and Food Programme serves as a compelling success story. He also underscores the value of peer-to-peer learning, sharing Ghana’s fruitful collaboration with Zambia, which has enhanced research practices and outcomes in both nations.

He notes that the SGCI has significantly expanded Ghana’s global research connections, instilling optimism about its potential to open doors to platforms like the Global Research Council. This broader engagement promises increased visibility and access to global research networks.

Mensah envisions Ghana’s Science Granting Council becoming a policy driver, strengthening its research funding strategy, and adopting best practices across Africa. He says initiatives like the DEMO forum and the National Research Foundation’s COVID-19 Africa Rapid Grant Funds have fostered funding resilience and sustainability, ensuring that critical research continues even in challenging times.

Learn from each other

Mensah highlights leveraging science granting councils as key tools for building partnerships and fostering independence in African science ecosystems. He talks about the role of peer-to-peer learning through forums, workshops, and collaborative research, encouraging and motivating the audience.

He says the SGCI has enabled connections to external networks, which helps increase councils’ visibility and recognition. He explains how councils could act as enablers by linking institutions and experts, influencing funding decisions through demonstrated expertise and collaborative potential.

Watch the full interview to hear Mensah’s insights on maximizing science collaboration for impact.