3-Day BANGA-Africa Grantsmanship Training Workshop Held for Early Career Faculty/Researchers
In alignment with the University’s commitment to supporting its faculty and staff, the Building a New Generation of Academics in Africa (BANGA‐Africa) project, in collaboration with the Research and Innovation Directorate, UG, (RID), hosted a three-day grants training workshop aimed at equipping early to mid-career faculty with essential skills in grantsmanship.
This workshop guided participants through the process of writing effective grant proposals, with a focus on promoting creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Facilitators including Director of the Research and Innovation Directorate, Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin and Mrs. Beatrice Sakyibea Biney-Nyamekye, Grants Officer at the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, led the opening sessions, providing valuable insights into grantsmanship and identifying funding opportunities for early-career faculty and researchers.
Prof. Dodoo-Arhin encouraged participants to start by applying for smaller grants to build a solid track record, eventually leading to larger opportunities. Additionally, he provided valuable insights on how to write the background and significance sections of proposals, helping participants communicate the importance and impact of their work effectively.
Mrs. Biney-Nyamekye outlined several internal funding sources at the University of Ghana, such as the University of Ghana Research Funds, conference grants and the BANGA-Africa Project, as well as external sources such as the Science Granting Council Initiative and the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology. She also encouraged participants to stay informed about potential funding opportunities by attending relevant conferences, subscribing to funding tools and exploring platforms like Research Professional Africa.
Other facilitators included Prof. Kwaku Kyeremeh, from the Department of Chemistry, who led a session on research methodology, writing abstracts and executive summaries as well as techniques for reviewing and editing proposals. An Assistant Accountant at RID, Mr. Vincent Amissah touched on developing budgets, while the Principal Accounting Assistant at RID, Mr. Ibrahim Agyeman, presented on budgeting and financial planning. Senior Research Development Officer, Ms. Nana Oye Akuffo also facilitated a session on navigating the grant submission process.
In earlier remarks, Acting Doctoral Schools Coordinator at the Pan-African Doctoral Academy (PADA), Dr. Collins Badu Agyemang explained the importance of understanding the full grant process, from identifying research interests and creating budgets to managing awarded funds. He also highlighted the value of collaboration in the research process, stressing that even small grants can greatly enhance a researcher’s capacity.
The sessions were followed by a practical activity where participants were divided into interdisciplinary groups and presented their proposals for feedback.
Participants shared their feedback with the Public Affairs Directorate’s News Desk on the workshop, expressing how valuable the training had been. Mrs. Valentina A. Opoku, an MPhil student in Social Work, expressed her excitement about learning grant writing techniques. "I just started my MPhil in Social Work and when I saw the advertisement, it was a topic I am interested in and wanted to gain more insight into. I am also a founder of an NGO, so grants are important to us," she said. Ms. Opoku emphasised how the workshop had equipped her with the skills to write compelling grants in the future, helping her secure funding for her research and NGO.
Rachel Mendy, a Ph.D. student from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, reflected on how the workshop made the process of winning grants feel more achievable. " Some of the sessions we have gone through are like an eye-opener to chances of winning grants if I put in the effort. Before this session, I did not know how to start, but with the content delivered to us, it is straightforward. It shows how one can easily win a grant or easily lose one. I believe I will be able to secure one, no matter how small," Mendy shared.
Dr. Danley ColeCraft Aidoo, Lecturer in the School of Agriculture, also appreciated the practical approach of the workshop, particularly the sessions on identifying funding opportunities and seeking support before submitting applications.
This workshop marks an important step in the University of Ghana's ongoing efforts to build a new generation of academics with strong research and grantsmanship skills. Through such initiatives, the university aims to empower faculty members to contribute to the growth of knowledge and innovation across Africa.