The University of Ghana Business School has taken a bold effort to strengthen the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship sector through a cross-sector collaboration at the maiden Regional Innovation Synergies Conference (RISC).
Director and Project Director – AFA Venture Lab, Professor George Acheampong, in an interview during the two-day event said the conference was designed to unify the university’s dispersed innovation initiatives under one impactful platform.
Four major programmes were showcased according to Prof. Acheampong:
Nkabumu, focuses on entrepreneurship within agri-food systems; Africa Climate Collaborative (ACC), also advances climate innovations in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and other important sectors through the University’s Climate Innovation Hub (UCHI).
The RISA project also seeks to bridge the gap between university research and rural development by transferring technologies to rural communities — while the British Council – backed Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) project is aimed at merging higher education and technical training to foster joint innovation.
“Technical-based education is mostly separated, we are bringing together these institutions for us to understand and witness how shared innovation can drive greater outcomes,” he stressed.
With over 300 participants, including representatives from government, academia, financiers, African partners, Prof. Acheampong said that the conference highlights the growing momentum for collaborative innovation in Ghana.
“The impact is very visible. Partners are working together, and collaboration is important. As the Akan saying goes, one person’s hand cannot cover the face of God,” he said, and noted that future editions will expand beyond the University of Ghana.
Provost of the College of Humanities – UGBS, Prof. Joseph Awetori Yaro, speaking on behalf of the school’s Vice Chancellor, highlighted the abundance of potential entrepreneurs but relaxed due lack of synergies and supportive framework.
He noted that innovation could thrive if diverse actors are brought together by a shared purpose — while citing successful programmes such as the UGBS Innovation and Incubation Hub, the BRIInG projects, AFA Venture Lab, among others.
Eric Agyei, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ‐ National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), also delivering his speech as the Guest of Honor, reiterated the organisations commitment to support entrepreneurs in climate action, rural enterprises development and agri-food processing as well.
The event themed, “Aligning partners for innovation: Building synergies in Agri-food, climate action and rural technology transfer for job creation,” also featured high-impact pitch competitions.
Source: thebftonline.com
