The Office of Grants and Research (OGR) of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has organized a workshop aimed at enhancing effective post-award administration for research projects.
The workshop was also organized in collaboration with the College Finance Office and the College Procurement Office to strengthen financial management and administrative practices for funded research projects.
The session brought together Principal Investigators (PIs), Project Administrators and Managers, Research Assistants, and staff of the Office of Grants and Research. It focused on building the capacity of project teams to effectively manage grants after funding has been awarded while ensuring compliance with institutional procedures and donor requirements.
Delivering a presentation on Financial Management for Research Projects, the College Finance Officer, Mrs. Ruby Owusu-Ansah, highlighted critical areas of post-award administration, including budget retirement, special advance procedures, procurement compliance, and financial accountability.
She guided participants through the financial processes and procedures required for the efficient management of research project funds, stressing the importance of compliance and accountability in grant implementation.
Another session was facilitated by Mr. Amos Ato Eghan, Accountant - OGR who led discussions on grant financial management. He explained that grants are financial awards provided to organizations or governments to support specific development objectives without the expectation of repayment, provided recipients comply with agreed terms and conditions.
According to him, an effective grant financial management system must achieve both fiduciary and development objectives. He noted that while the fiduciary objective ensures the efficient and appropriate use of project funds, the development objective focuses on ensuring that funds contribute directly to the intended outcomes of the project.
Participants were also taken through the importance of maintaining supporting financial documents in grant administration. Key documents discussed included cash receipts, vendor invoices, bank pay-in slips, bank statements, contracts for goods and services, honor certificates, taxi log sheets, goods received vouchers, VAT receipts, and approved budgets or grant agreements.
The workshop provided practical insights into responsible research fund management and reinforced the importance of proper documentation, transparency, and compliance with grant management requirements.