Socio-Economic and Commercialisation Centre

The Office of the Socio-Economic and Commercialisation Centre (SECC) serves as a vehicle for technology transfer while promoting and encouraging scientific research. The Centre liaises with all centres under BNARI to organise and transfer their technologies to the industry and end users.  The Centre plays a vital role in analysing the socio-economic aspects and impacts of transferred research outputs, ensuring that innovation translates into real-world value.

SECC supports researchers, entrepreneurs, and institutions through business plan development, the establishment of new business entities, and the identification of suitable commercial partners. By cultivating strong industrial relationships, the Centre helps bridge the gap between research and the marketplace, driving economic growth and supporting sustainable development.

Vision

To study, measure, and monetise the economic, social, environmental, and financial costs and benefits of projects or public policies over their entire lifecycle, for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Mission

To promote regional economic growth and job creation by fostering new relationships with industry and providing consultancy services that support start-up activity and entrepreneurship.

Core Functions

• Support research in national and international projects by creating awareness and organising information days, workshops, and training activities, while facilitating access to related support and funding mechanisms.
• Enhance university–industry collaboration to strengthen knowledge exchange and innovation uptake.
• Protect and manage the intellectual property rights arising from the research and development efforts of BNARI members, and create mechanisms for transferring intellectual property to industry for the development of new goods and services that benefit society.
• Guide SNAS academicians and student project teams in establishing their own ventures.
• Facilitate the transfer of BNARI research discoveries into new products and services for public use and benefit.
• Promote regional economic growth and job creation through innovation-driven initiatives.
• Develop grant-winning proposals and business plans to support research commercialisation and enterprise development.
• Create and strengthen relationships with industry while providing consultancy services to support start-ups and emerging enterprises.
• Evaluate commercial opportunities and market potential for new intellectual property.
• Negotiate transactional agreements with external partners, including universities, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies, to ensure compliance with government statutes, regulations, and NHIS policies, while facilitating commercialisation efforts that benefit public health.
• Guide intramural and extramural scientists on all technology transfer matters.
• Negotiate co-development agreements, including Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs).

Impact and Achievements

• Revamped piggery and poultry farms, leading to increased productivity and near-zero mortality in broiler production.
• Produced 2400 broilers (in partnership with JFAMCO) and 8 tons of catfish for GAEC.
• Supported entrepreneurs (7 farms between 2018–2020) in farm establishment, directly contributing to job creation and food security.
• Contributed significantly to BNARI’s IGF generation through livestock sales, consultancy, and farmer associations.
• Advanced Ghana’s agricultural systems knowledge through research publications and conference contributions.
• Promoted SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production) through research, training, and commercialisation initiatives.
• Established the BNARI Piggery Centre, laying a strong foundation for livestock research, training, and production.
• Established the BNARI Coconut Plantation, reviving and sustaining its long-term productivity.
• Initiated Cocoyam and Plantain Production at BNARI, introducing the first planting materials sourced from Swedru and Accra.
• Established the BNARI Poultry Production Unit, strengthening diversified agricultural production.
• Founded the GAEC Farmers Association, generating annual revenue of over GHS 150,000 to support institutional and farmer-driven initiatives.
• Led the GAEC Fisheries Project, including the successful construction of two major dams on GAEC land to boost aquaculture.
• Trained and provided consultancy in pig production and management, directly contributing to the establishment of over 50 pig farms nationwide.
• Supported pork processing and value addition, including assisting El Capitano Farm to achieve German-standard sausage production by translating technical knowledge and training staff.
• Offered tuition services at SNAS since 2011, specialising in Agricultural Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Agricultural Finance, impacting student knowledge and industry readiness.
• Supported BNARI’s commercialisation efforts, advancing the adoption and scaling of research outputs, products, and services for socio-economic benefit.

Learn More About Our Work