Environment Ministry seeks clearance to recruit 400 scientists

The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) has announced plans to recruit 400 scientists to strengthen Ghana's scientific research institutions as part of efforts to enhance innovation, environmental management and technological development.

Acting Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah disclosed that the Ministry is currently engaging the Ministry of Finance to obtain the necessary financial clearance to proceed with the recruitment.

Speaking during a working visit by Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to the Ministry on Monday, July 13, 2026, Mr. Armah Kofi-Buah said the proposed recruitment is aimed at addressing longstanding human resource shortages that continue to affect the country's scientific and research institutions.

According to the acting Minister, the recruitment drive forms part of government's broader strategy to strengthen Ghana's science and technology sector and improve the country's capacity to respond to emerging environmental and development challenges.

"The Ministry is currently in talks with the Ministry of Finance for financial clearance to recruit 400 scientists into the scientific and research institutions to address the critical human resource gaps that are undermining the country's capacity for scientific research, innovation, environmental management and technological development," he stated.

Mr. Armah Kofi-Buah reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to supporting the government's vision of leveraging science, technology and innovation to drive sustainable national development.

"Your Excellency, this Ministry stands ready to support the government's vision for sustainable environmental management and the application of science and technology for national development," he said on behalf of the Ministry's leadership and staff.

The acting Minister also announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established 32 new district offices following its expanded mandate.

He explained that the new offices are expected to improve environmental regulation, monitoring and service delivery at the district level while bringing the Agency closer to communities across the country.

"I am happy to announce that 32 new district offices of the Environmental Protection Agency have been established in line with the new mandate of the EPA," he said.

Mr. Armah Kofi-Buah further revealed that Ghana has strengthened its international climate cooperation by signing agreements with several countries to mobilise climate finance under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

According to him, Ghana has signed agreements with the governments of Singapore, Switzerland and Sweden, while South Korea has become the latest country to join the initiative.

He explained that the agreements provide a framework for Ghana to trade verified emissions reductions in exchange for financial resources to support the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris climate accord.

"Ghana has signed an agreement with the governments of Singapore, Switzerland and Sweden, with South Korea being the latest to mobilise resources under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement—a mechanism where Ghana can trade emission reductions for financial resources to achieve nationally determined contributions," he said.

Despite highlighting these achievements, the acting Minister acknowledged that significant challenges remain within the environment, science and technology sectors.

He stressed that sustained investment, strategic planning and stronger institutional capacity would be essential to achieving Ghana's environmental sustainability goals while accelerating scientific research and technological innovation.

The planned recruitment of 400 scientists is expected to significantly boost the country's research institutions and strengthen Ghana's ability to develop innovative solutions to environmental, industrial and technological challenges.