Asantehene Commissions the Institute for Rural Development and Innovation Studies

His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene and Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has commissioned the Institute for Rural Development and Innovation Studies (IRDIS).

As part of events commemorating the peak of the University’s 59th Congregation, the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), Prof. Dadson Awunyo-Vitor, the Director of IRDIS, Prof. Ebenezer Owusu-Addo, and other senior members of the College participated in the ceremony.

IRDIS, one of the leading research units within CANR, is mandated to serve as a vital bridge between the University and rural communities. The Institute focuses on transferring innovations and essential services from the University to rural areas to improve livelihoods and enhance the overall quality of life.

The vision of IRDIS is to become a center of excellence in Africa for research and socio-economic development, offering extension services, cutting-edge research, and consultancy support to governments, development partners, NGOs, and rural communities across Ghana and the West African sub-region.

As one of the foremost research departments at CANR, IRDIS plays a critical role in advancing rural transformation. Its mission is to provide a strategic interface between the University and rural communities by transferring innovations, knowledge, and services to promote sustainable rural development.

IRDIS conducts comprehensive interdisciplinary research, training, consultancy, and advisory services in rural development. Its high-quality research projects, seminars, and publications cover diverse areas including rural enterprise development, natural resource management, project planning and management, and rural institutional capacity building. The Institute has a strong track record in training and development initiatives.

With working experience across all 16 regions of Ghana, IRDIS remains at the forefront of national and regional discussions on contemporary rural development issues. The Institute boasts a reputable interdisciplinary team of experts who are highly accomplished in their respective fields.

Over the years, IRDIS has collaborated with a wide range of institutions and organizations, including Central Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, international academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations.

The services offered by IRDIS span several key areas, including Consultancy Services, Research and Development Planning, Capacity Building and Institutional Development, Gender and Development, Environmental Management, and Entrepreneurial Development for Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises.