The Office of Grants and Research (OGR) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has outlined a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at strengthening research governance, improving grants management and significantly increasing external funding across the University’s colleges.
Presenting OGR’s immediate priorities, the Director, Professor Jerry John Kponyo, told a meeting of Principal Investigators (PIs) and key stakeholders that research must be deliberately driven by strong institutional systems if KNUST is to achieve its long-term vision.
“If we recognise research as a key strategic agenda of the University, then we must build the structures that drive it. Research does not happen by accident,” he said.
Prof. Kponyo said the plan sets out a series of immediate actions under the OGR Plan 2035, including the restructuring of the Office of Grants and Research, the strengthening of college-based OGR offices, the development of a credible University-wide grants database, and the relaunch of OGR’s website and performance dashboards. The strategy also includes the establishment of the OUA Towers at the Research Hill.
To drive competitiveness and improve performance, he disclosed that OGR has proposed specific grant income targets across the colleges.
These include US$20 million each for the Colleges of Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, and Agriculture and Natural Resources; US$10 million each for the Colleges of Humanities and Social Sciences and Arts and Built Environment; and US$2 million for central research initiatives coordinated by OGR.
According to Prof. Kponyo, the objective is to create an ecosystem in which successful grant acquisition leads to sustained growth.
“The agenda is to create a ground where, when grants come, they grow. Colleges that actively write and win grants are more likely to attract even more funding,” he explained.
He stressed that while grant acquisition remains important, funding alone is not the ultimate goal. As part of the strategy, OGR will track research performance metrics including publications, citations, student involvement and outputs arising directly from funded projects.
“Grants are not an end in themselves. What matters is the impact of the research, what comes out of it, how it is cited, and how it contributes to society,” he said.
Prof. Kponyo also highlighted the need to invest in research capacity building, particularly among postgraduate students.
“Research capacity is not magic. It is built over time. Many of our graduate students do not yet have the skills required for quality research, and we must deliberately invest in building those skills,” he stated. “The strategy also promotes mentorship, encouraging grant beneficiaries to support others in securing funding and creating a continuous cycle of opportunity.”
As part of efforts to enhance visibility and engagement, Prof. Kponyo said OGR would strengthen communication around research activities through regular newsletters and updates highlighting ongoing projects, funding inflows and research outcomes. The Office will also provide bi-weekly updates on funding opportunity announcements, proposals in progress, grant submissions, awards and training activities.
“When funders see impact, they are encouraged to invest more,” he mentioned.
Professor Kponyo emphasised that collaboration remains central to achieving KNUST’s research agenda, adding that the plan includes structured engagements with research centres and laboratories, college boards, the Graduate School, the International Programmes Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies in Ghana, development partners and international research networks.
“This is an all-hands-on-deck approach. When we move together, the journey becomes lighter, no matter how far we have to go,” he said.
Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah, Assistant Registrar, Media and Events at the University Relations Office (URO), re-echoed the need for Principal Investigators to communicate their research activities to enhance global visibility and community engagement.
By: Abigail Ofori
