The President has inaugurated the National Biotechnology Research Centre at the CSIR campus in Accra, a $30 million facility that will advance biotechnology research in Ghana.
Facility features:
- Modern laboratories (genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics)
- Greenhouse for transgenic research
- Tissue culture facility
- Bioprocessing unit
- Training center
Research focus areas:
- Agricultural biotechnology
- Pharmaceutical biotechnology
- Environmental biotechnology
- Industrial biotechnology
- Bioinformatics
Key projects:
- Genetically modified crops for resistance
- Vaccine development
- Biofortified crops (improved nutrition)
- Bioremediation (cleaning pollution)
- Enzyme production for industry
The center employs 100 scientists and technicians, with plans to recruit more. It will train PhD and MSc students, building human capacity in biotechnology.
Partnerships with international institutions including the University of Cambridge, MIT, and the International Rice Research Institute will bring expertise and funding.
The center is expected to make Ghana a leader in biotechnology in West Africa, with applications in agriculture, health, and industry.
