Ghana must explore the idea of research and development hubs to inform policymaking and improve developmental efficiency, Prof Enoch Opoku-Antwi has posited.

“Italy has started it and it’s working for them,” he said, speaking to the press.

“They created research and development hubs where they prioritise the needs of the community and country, pick students, make them conduct research and embark on development based on that.”

“It is funded, it creates employment and then investors also come and help in that direction,” he added.

The Dean of Business and Communication at Academic City University College, Haatso, Accra, was the keynote speaker at the 2024 George Ayittey Memorial Lectures organised by the African Centre for Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment (ACEYE).

The event took place at ACEYE’s headquarters, Dome, Accra, and brought together academics, students, entrepreneurs, and the press, among others.

Prof Opoku-Antwi also advocated a collaboration between the worlds of academia and work, the former identifying the needs of the latter and training students accordingly, to enhance human resource, job security and national development.