Ghana Research Management Professionals’ Platform launched to Strengthen Collaboration and Excellence in Research Administration

A new initiative, the Ghana Research Management Professionals’ Platform (GRMPP), has been launched to formalise and strengthen research management across Ghana’s universities. The platform seeks to advance research administration, collaboration and professional development among higher education institutions.

The launch took place at the University of Ghana’s International Programmes Office (IPO) and was chaired by Prof. Felix Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Development), on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo.

In his remarks, Prof. Asante described the establishment of the GRMPP as “a novel milestone in Ghana’s higher education landscape,” detailing that collaboration between the University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Cape Coast (UCC) demonstrates that “shared knowledge in research and collective dedication to higher education transcend competition.” He acknowledged the critical role of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the IREX Board in supporting the initiative and encouraged research administrators to seize the opportunities offered by the platform for professional and institutional advancement.

Providing an overview of the platform, Mrs. Hannah Adom Eyison, Grants and Research Manager at KNUST and President of the interim GRMPP executive, stated that the platform seeks to “foster collaboration, knowledge exchange and professional development among research management professionals across Ghanaian research institutions.” She outlined key activities including training workshops, webinars, networking events and the creation of an online repository to promote excellence in research management.

Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, Director of the Research and Innovation Directorate at UG, lauded the collaboration between the three universities, describing it as a testament to the power of collective effort. He noted that the objectives of the GRMPP align closely with UG’s strategic goal of promoting impactful research and highlighted the crucial contributions of research managers, describing them as “the unseen heroes who ensure compliance, accountability and excellence in research practice.”

Solidarity messages were also delivered by Prof. David Teye Doku of UCC and representatives from KNUST, who commended the initiative as a crucial step toward institutionalising research management in Ghana.

The launch of the platform marks the culmination of work by a group of 2025 alumni of the University Administrators Support Programme (UASP), which evolved into the STReMS-GH Project. Members of the working group include Prof. Jemima Anderson (Dean, IPO, UG), Mrs. Dorcas Opai-Tetteh, Ms. Deborah Akyeampon and Ms. Afia Adoma Boakye (UG), alongside partners from KNUST and UCC.

Following the official launch, participants engaged in a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Alex Boadi Dankyi (UCC), exploring the challenges and opportunities of managing research in Ghana. An interim leadership team comprising Mrs. Hannah Eyison (President), Dr. Alex Boadi Dankyi (Treasurer) and Mrs. Dorcas Opai-Tetteh (Treasurer) was nominated to steer the affairs of the platform and establish its governance structures. There were also nominations of Organisers for each of the member Universities. Mrs. Sylvia Antwiwaah Sarbah, Research Development Officer, was nominated as Organiser for the University of Ghana.  

In her closing remarks, Prof. Jemima Anderson described the establishment of the GRMPP as “a transition from a network of UASP fellows into a community of practice that validates and elevates the research management profession in Ghana.”

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Deborah Akyeampon, who expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their support in advancing research management and collaboration in Ghana.