Correspondence from the Western Region

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) has recognised five outstanding researchers at its maiden Research Excellence Awards, held as part of its 2026 Research Week in Tarkwa.

The awards ceremony, which took place at the university auditorium, was organised under the auspices of the Office of Research Innovation and Consultancy(ORIC).

It was to celebrated academic excellence, innovation, and impactful research aligned with national and global development needs.

In the top category, Best Established Researcher, Associate Professor YY Ziggah emerged winner for his sustained contributions to research and scholarship.

Professor JR Dankwah was honoured with the Best Faculty Innovation with Product Award, recognising his work in translating research into practical solutions.

The Best Early Career Researcher Award went to Dr Cornelius Borecho Bavoh, acknowledging his promising contributions and growing influence in his field.

For strengthening partnerships between academia and industry, Associate Professor Clement K. Owusu received the Best Industry Collaboration Award, highlighting his role in fostering collaborations that bridge research and real-world application.

Dr Emmanuel Effah was awarded the Best Community Impact Research Award for research efforts that have directly improved livelihoods and addressed community challenges.

Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Richard Kwasi Amankwah congratulated the awardees for their outstanding achievements, noting that their recognition reflected both their individual excellence and the growing strength of research at UMaT.

He urged them to view the honour not as an endpoint but as a call to greater responsibility, encouraging them to continue pushing the frontiers of research, mentor younger academics, and strengthen collaborations that translate knowledge into practical solutions for national development.

Dean of the Office of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, Michael Affam, indicated that the awards form part of efforts to drive the university’s research agenda anchored on five key pillars exploring, describing, explaining, predicting, and applying research outputs for the benefit of society.

He explained that the awards covered three main thematic areas: Research Excellence and Impact, Knowledge Transfer, and Innovation Excellence, under which five categories were selected for recognition.

Professor Affam noted that the selection process was highly competitive, with many researchers submitting their work for consideration, but only a few meeting the strict criteria.

He encouraged those who were unsuccessful not to be discouraged, but rather to improve on their work and strive for future opportunities.

He also congratulated the awardees, describing their achievements as well-deserved and a reflection of dedication to research excellence.