Executive Director Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development
in the South (COMSATS), Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria called on the
President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the incumbent
Chairperson of COMSATS. Ambassador Zakaria is currently in Accra, leading a fourmember delegation of COMSATS Secretariat. The meeting held at the Jubilee House
(Presidency) was also attended by Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science and
Technology (MEST), H.E. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Chief Director MEST, Madam
Suweibatu Adam, and Director General, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR), Prof. Paul Pinnock Bosu.
Ambassador Zakaria paid tribute to the conceiver of COMSATS idea, expressed profound
gratitude for Ghana’s steadfast commitment to COMSATS as founding member and
strong leadership as COMSATS’ Chair since 2012. He briefed on COMSATS’ ongoing
programs and recent initiatives and sought guidance of the Chairperson. Apprised the
Chairperson on the achievements made including ISO-certified Nanotechnology Lab,
development of indigenous Electric Vehicle (EV) technology which meets international
standards, supporting collaborative R&D, postgraduate scholarships, and capacity
building activities. Aligning with the development priorities of Ghana, the Executive
Director presented tailored technology-based solutions, inter alia, in Environment,
Transport, Higher Education/Skills Development, and Energy sectors. Also offered
expertise in Genomic Sequencing and TeleHealth.
Important matters related to the Commission’s General Meeting at the summit level in
Ghana, expanding the membership of the Commission and COMSATS Network, deeper
emphasis on environmental issues, and greater allocation of resources for regular
undertaking of S&T activities to keep pace with emerging technologies, figured
prominently during the meeting.
The President acknowledged COMSATS as an important intergovernmental organization
and appreciated its role in leveraging science, technology and innovation for facilitating
sustainable development across the Global South. He provided guidance to the Executive
Director regarding various undertakings of the organization and strengthening
cooperation among its 27 Member States. The President assured full support of his high
office for Ghana’s active participation and support to COMSATS’ objectives.
Separately, the Executive Director held meetings with the Chief Director MEST and
Director General CSIR, at the Ministry of Environment, S&T and CSIR, respectively. It
was a very productive visit with multiple tangible outcomes.
Accra, Ghana , 13th September 2025
