BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A National Research and Education Network (NREN) is a specialized Internet service provider dedicated to supporting the needs of the research and education communities within a country. The establishment of National Research and Education Networks (RENs) is a global phenomenon for sharing relevant research and education content.

The origins of the Ghanaian Academic and Research Network (GARNET) can be traced back to 1995 when the idea was mooted. It only took a recognized significance in November 2006 at the end of a three-day workshop held by the Association of African Universities (AAU) in Accra to facilitate more effective integration of ICT into higher education’s core mandate of teaching, learning, research, and information management.

Finally, after several years of consultations among the Stakeholders, The Ghanaian Academic and Research Network was incorporated as a legal entity on August 24th 2010.

GARNET is a not for profit organization open to all accredited tertiary institutions in Ghana including research and educational institutions, Libraries and teaching hospitals. It is established for the purpose of promoting research collaboration among researchers and educators locally and internationally.

The Ghanaian Academic and Research Network (GARNET) is the Ghana National Research and Education Network (NREN) recognized by the West African Research Network (WACREN)

VISIONVISION

The Vision of GARNET is to build and operate a World-Class Network Infrastructure and services to link all the Ghanaian Research and Education community to support teaching, learning and research among all public and private institutions of higher education in Ghana, and by extension, connect its members to the Global Research and Education Network communities.

MISSIONMISSION

The mission of the GARNET is to:

  1. Support and help the building of strong and viable Campus/institutional networks.
  2. Build network infrastructure to connect all campus/institutional networks at high speeds to support research, collaborations and sharing of resources.
  3. Aggregate the Internet bandwidth requirements of members of GARNET and negotiating collectively with ISPs for fair institutional pricing.
  4. Have one voice on national policies/issues dealing with ICT.
  5. Foster and participate in the deployment of Regional and Global Research and Education Network for research and collaboration.

GOVERNANCE AND MEMBERSHIP

BOARD

The GARNET has a 10-member Board chaired by Professor Nii Narku Quaynor. Institutional representation on the board includes members from various prestigious organizations and fields, ensuring a diverse and experienced group overseeing the activities of GARNET.

The Board was inaugurated on the 23rd of August 2019 to oversee the activities of the GARNET for 2 years. The members of the board include:

  1. Professor Nii Narku Quaynor - Chairman
  2. Professor Nicholas Nsowah-Nuamah - Member
  3. Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann - Member
  4. Professor Peter Amoako-Yirenkyi - Member
  5. Ms. Teki Akuetteh - Member
  6. Mrs. Vesta Akosua Nunoo - Member
  7. Dr. Emmanuel Kitcher - Member
  8. Mr. Jacob Tetteh Akunor - Member Representing the Ministry of Education
  9. Mr. Emmanuel Ofori - Member Representing the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation
  10. Mr. Lucas Yikimpa Chigabatia - CEO and Board Secretary
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