The newly reconstituted Board of the GRATIS Foundation has signaled a new era of institutional reform and strategic focus, following its inaugural meeting held under the chairmanship of Nana Kwaku Duah II.
The maiden meeting, coming shortly after the board’s official inauguration by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, marks a pivotal step toward repositioning the Foundation as a modern, efficient engine for industrial transformation in Ghana.
At the heart of the discussions was a strong emphasis on reforming internal systems, enhancing governance structures, and aligning the Foundation’s operations with Ghana’s broader national development objectives, including the government’s ambitious 24-hour economy agenda.
Dr. Isaac Adaebsah, Chief Executive Officer of GRATIS, presented a detailed report on the Foundation’s recent activities, placing particular emphasis on the ongoing institutional restructuring under his leadership. According to him, the centralisation of financial and administrative systems across GRATIS’ 39 nationwide centres is already yielding improved operational efficiency and accountability.
“We are building a more agile, transparent and responsive institution,” Dr. Adaebsah said. “Centralising our systems has enabled us to better coordinate efforts across the country, improve service delivery, and prepare the organisation for the scale of work needed to support Ghana’s industrialisation.”
The Board unanimously welcomed management’s reform agenda and called for the immediate strengthening of internal financial controls, development of a strategic roadmap, and acceleration of operational centralisation. Board members also highlighted the need to better harness GRATIS’ unique mandate in industrial skills development and appropriate technology deployment, especially in support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Since assuming leadership, Dr. Adaebsah and his team have expanded GRATIS’ national relevance through strategic engagements, including collaborations with the World Food Programme (WFP) and private sector actors to promote local equipment fabrication and agro-processing technologies. His team has also completed capacity assessments at all regional and district centres, laying the groundwork for improved service delivery and resource optimisation.
Nana Kwaku Duah II, Board Chair, commended the CEO and his deputy for the early progress made in transforming GRATIS, expressing optimism about the Foundation’s future. “We now have the right momentum and leadership to reposition GRATIS as a cornerstone of Ghana’s industrial ecosystem,” he said. “The Board will play its full oversight role to ensure strategic continuity and institutional integrity.”
The meeting brought together all board members, including Nana Akosua Annobea II, Madam Patience Darkowaa, Mr Ernest Ameyaw, Mr Barnabas Ninfom Tanaab, Ms Lucy Kpor, and Nana Kwabena Adjei-Anomafo. Their collective commitment signaled a united front in pushing forward structural reforms that will enable GRATIS to fully deliver on its national mandate.
GRATIS Foundation, a government agency under the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, has long played a key role in Ghana’s industrial development by providing appropriate technologies, technical training, and support to SMEs. With 39 operational centres across the country, the institution is now poised for a major institutional reset that could redefine its impact on Ghana’s manufacturing and skills development landscape.
