The University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) has intensified efforts to bridge the gap between academic research and public policy, with 165 research abstracts submitted for consideration at its sixth Research and Development (R&D) Conference.
The three-day conference in Wa is focused on how research findings can be translated into practical interventions and policies to address Ghana’s development challenges.
Held on the theme, “Research for Policy: Strengthening Evidence-Informed Policymaking for Ghana’s Development,” the conference has brought together researchers, academics, policymakers and students from Ghana and beyond.
Professor Emmanuel Derbile, Vice-Chancellor of UBIDS, said research could achieve its full value only when evidence generated by researchers influenced decisions and improved people’s lives.
“I believe evidence should inform policy if development is to be sustained … This sits at the heart of the University’s mandate: to conduct applied research that informs policy and improves lives towards achieving international acclamation,” he said.
Prof. Derbile disclosed that about 60 per cent of registered participants were postgraduate students of the university, describing the development as an indication of a growing research culture among students.
He said management was also working to strengthen the university’s research support systems through the planned establishment of a grants management system.
The proposed Grants Office would assist researchers with proposal development, compliance, partnership building and the sourcing and management of competitive research and development grants.
Prof. Frederick Dayour, Director of Research at UBIDS, said the conference had attracted 165 abstracts across 11 sub-themes aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Following a rigorous review process, 119 researchers had been confirmed to present their work during the conference.
He said the event had attracted contributions from institutions including the University of New York, Société Générale de Surveillance South Africa, the University of Energy and Natural Resources, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Bongo District Hospital and the Wassa East District Assembly.
Beyond academic papers, Prof. Dayour said the conference had also received 32 policy briefs, 22 of which had been considered suitable for publication.
The policy briefs covered areas including health systems, agriculture and food security, tourism, gender and traditional authority.
He said the published policy briefs would be disseminated to relevant ministries, institutions, non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations to support evidence-based decision-making.
Mr Shaiku Mumuni Damma, Upper West Regional Coordinating Director, who read a speech on behalf of the Regional Minister, said sustainable national development depended on the effective use of research and evidence in policymaking.
He said research should be treated as more than an academic exercise because it provided a basis for understanding national challenges, testing solutions and improving policy decisions.
“A nation cannot sustainably develop on the strength of good intentions alone. It must develop on the strength of good evidence, sound institutions and courageous decisions,” Mr Damma said.
He acknowledged the contribution of Ghanaian universities, research institutions and think tanks to knowledge production but noted that ensuring research findings translated into effective policies and improved livelihoods remained a challenge.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for participants to explore ways of strengthening collaboration between researchers and policymakers and improving the uptake of research findings in Ghana’s development planning.
