The President of the Ghana Scholarly Society, Dr Kweku Adams, has called for stronger collaboration among academia, industry and policymakers to drive Ghana’s industrialisation and sustainable development agenda ahead of the International Conference on African Development (iCAD 2026).
He said Ghana’s development ambitions must be supported by evidence-based policies, practical implementation and strategic partnerships capable of addressing the country’s economic and social challenges.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic ahead of the conference, he said it had been scheduled for June 17 to 19, 2026, at the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge, United Kingdom (UK), and would be held on the theme: “Green Transitions and Inclusive Industrialisation in Africa: Theory to Policy and Practice.”
Industrialisation focus
Dr Adams, who is also an Associate Professor in International Business and Management at the University of Bradford, UK, said the conference sought to provide a platform for practical dialogue on how Ghana and other African countries can industrialise in ways that are inclusive, environmentally sustainable and globally competitive.
He explained that discussions would focus on critical sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, responsible mining, digital innovation and youth entrepreneurship as key drivers of economic transformation.
“The question is no longer whether Ghana should industrialise, but how the country can industrialise in a manner that creates decent jobs, strengthens local enterprise and responds effectively to climate pressures,” he stated.
Bridging the gap
Dr Adams said the conference would bring together academics, policymakers, entrepreneurs, financiers, engineers, health professionals, legal experts and development practitioners to generate actionable ideas and strengthen partnerships between research, industry and government.
He noted that many important academic studies by Ghanaian scholars often remained disconnected from public policy and private-sector implementation, while practical innovations in industry also received inadequate scholarly and policy attention.
He said iCAD 2026 was intended to bridge that gap by creating a platform where “evidence, experience and enterprise can meet.”
National development
Dr Adams explained that the Ghana Scholarly Society, established in 2021, was formed to mobilise Ghanaian academics, researchers and professionals both at home and in the diaspora to contribute to national development.
He expressed appreciation to the Office of the President and the Ghana High Commission in London for their support for the society’s activities and the conference.
He urged scholars, professionals, development partners and industry leaders to view iCAD 2026 as more than an academic gathering, stressing that Ghana’s future would depend on
“knowledge, courage, collaboration and the disciplined execution of multidisciplinary ideas that move beyond theory.”
Other speakers
Among the expected speakers are a former Minister of Finance and Presidential Advisor on the Economy, Seth Terkper; Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Zita Sabah Benson and the Vice-Chancellor of the ARU, Prof. Roderick Watkins.
Others include a Senior Manager for Fintech Distribution at MTN Group Fintech, Ms Barbara Kayi; the President of Celltell Networks Ltd, Dr Prince Kofi Kludjeson and the host of Ekosiisen and Programmes Manager at Multimedia Group, Philip Osei Bonsu.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
