Ghanaian researchers’ collaboration practices need balancing

What is it about?

Researchers working together, rather than individually, can contribute to innovation and development of a skilled scientific workforce, and to the uptake of research. To see if these conditions are developing in the country of Ghana, a review of scholarly publications was combined with a survey of Ghanaian-affiliated corresponding authors of articles to show how Ghanaian researchers collaborate among themselves, and with outsiders. Such collaboration, largely based on personal and working relationships, is on the rise, especially in public universities and government, and especially with international researchers outside of Africa. This reflects trends across Africa. While joint efforts have often combined data gathering and fieldwork by Ghanaians with mobilising of funding by foreign researchers, the study revealed strong participation by Ghanaian researchers in conceptualisation of research and data analysis. This indicates that, properly resourced, Ghanaian researchers have the potential to support the country’s development.

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Why is it important?

Ghana’s knowledge base is vulnerable, if researchers in Ghana’s public universities and government are too dependent on collaborators outside the country. The sustainability of research processes based on this collaboration needs to be carefully monitored to strengthen the country’s scientific capacity.

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