His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, officially opened the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) High-Level Meeting in Accra on Thursday, 3rd July 2025. Held under the theme: “Unpacking the Pact for the Future: Imperatives for Advancing Scientific Cooperation with Africa,” the meeting brought together African leaders, researchers, and global partners to explore ways to strengthen the continent’s scientific landscape and research cooperation. 

The event was organized through a collaborative effort between the Office of the President, the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), and the University of Ghana. 

In his keynote address, President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s strong commitment to science, technology, and innovation (STI) as a vital engine for Africa’s development. He urged African governments and partners to prioritize research funding, build regional networks, and empower young scientists to drive sustainable change. 

The ARISE High-Level Meeting served as a unique platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and collaboration among stakeholders from across the continent and beyond. The programme featured high-level plenaries, technical sessions, and strategic networking aimed at mobilizing support for Africa-led science. 

The Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, in her remarks, highlighted Ghana’s leadership role in continental science diplomacy and emphasized the importance of building strong, well-resourced research institutions to achieve Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The meeting concluded with a renewed call for investment in African scientific excellence, deeper cross-border collaboration, and inclusive strategies to drive innovation-led development across the continent. 

Original article published on the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation website.