In line with the Chinese saying that “…when you teach a friend to fish, you give him an occupation that will feed him for a lifetime”, the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID) recently organised a Student Enterprise Pitch Competition which empowered students to display their entrepreneurial skills. Feathery care, the unicorn which seeks to reduce chick mortality rate to close to zero during the brooding stage, emerged winner of the Student Enterprise Pitch Competition held on the ‘Demo Day’ to climax the Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Connecting Accra Project.
The Student Enterprise Competition, which began with an exhibition of the artefacts/produce/products by the contestants, was adjudged by Mr. Emmanuel Aning Acquah, Fellow, Chartered Accountant, ACCA; Madam Pearlyn Budu, General Manager, Glovo Ghana and Mr. Daniel Appiah, Certified International Retail Banker.
Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development, in his welcome address conveyed his excitement about the project and the progress made from the onset of the project till the climax. He congratulated the team and extended a warm appreciation to the partners for the support to address graduate unemployment and promote entrepreneurial skills development among students in the country. Prof. Asante noted that the project is a British Council supported initiative that seeks to encourage peer partnership between sectors and countries.
He gave a brief overview of the first and second phases of the project and noted how they will augment solutions to young entrepreneurial minds in the University. “Through this programme, the University of Ghana, Imperial College, London and the Impact Hub, Accra, have partnered to deliver innovative solutions to young and emerging entrepreneurs at the University of Ghana”, he stated.
Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development
Prof. Asante explained how the successful execution of the project forms part of the University’s effort to empower its students to create jobs after leaving the University. He added that the University is taking steps to put in place the requisite systems to support student entrepreneurs to launch and run successful business ventures through the introduction of an innovation hub and policy. “The policy is almost at the end of the tunnel”, he added
Prof. Asante announced that the University already has a robust intellectual property support system that currently provides support to students as part of the entrepreneurial journey, adding that the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has an innovative hub which was supported by Agricultural Manufacturing Group (AMG) Fertilizer, a free zone’s company owned by a Ghanaian - Mr. Ernest Appiah. Prof. Asante was hopeful this will serve as a template for other schools to follow.
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor, in brief remarks during the presentation of awards to the winners showed gratitude to all partners and sponsors for their bankroll. She urged them to continue with their support so the University can do better in preparing and making students ready for life after school.
Impressed with the performance of the students at the contest, Prof. Amfo, congratulated them on their efforts and work output. “It is a difficult time for the nation and for the world at large, but these young people with their innovative ideas really gave me hope and I believe that they did give you hope as well”, she stated.
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Amfo reiterated the need to support the students with financial aid and mentorship, as these contribute to preparing students for life after school. She expressed hope in incubators and such competitions helping to deal with the continuous graduate unemployment problems.
Mr. Ernest A. Appiah, Chief Executive Officer, AMG Fertilizer, in his keynote address noted his excitement in sharing some thoughts with all present, especially the students. He was glad to see students put in efforts to explore their entrepreneurial capabilities. “What a better time to face this intimidating world than at the prime of life, when there is so much energy and capacity to handle various challenges that life generally throws at you”, he stated.
Noting that exploring potentials and capabilities is all that entrepreneurship is about, Mr. Appiah expressed how entrepreneurship enables an individual to face the world through their weakness, flaws and inabilities, as well as their strengths, potentials and creativity.
Mr. Appiah bemoaned the fact that many young people are not achieving their potentials based on fear, intimidation and the lack of resources. He emphasised how initiatives like the IAU Connecting Accra Project helps to create a vibrant atmosphere, where student entrepreneurs are encouraged, trained and given the platform to attract new resources.
“I hope the establishment of the IAU Project like the establishment of the UGBS Innovation Hub will give students at the University of Ghana the chance to engage the creative brains to find ideas around the creative solution and shape those solutions into viable businesses that will eventually make Ghana and the world at large a better place”, he added.
Mr. Appiah urged all stakeholders not to relent in their effort when the project ends, but rather ensure that the ideas garnered become the products and services relevant for the future. “I believe that with all efforts combined, this project will be a remarkable stepping stone towards transforming the Ghanaian youth mindset into innovative and creative entrepreneurship world”, he added.
A cross-section of the participants at the event
Mr. William Senyo, Chief Executive Officer, Impact Hub Accra, in a brief statement expressed joy about the project stating that initiatives like the IAU Connecting Accra Project are the spotlight of the future of Ghana. He was confident that the project marks the beginning of greatness in all participants.
The Director of Entrepreneurship, Imperial College, London, Mr. Ben Mumby-Croft in a virtual statement, expressed his pleasure in the project and congratulated all the finalists. Stating that the British Council has launched a programme to strengthen the capacity of universities in participating and providing meaningful contributions as key stakeholders within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, he explained how the IAU Connecting Accra Project is a fantastic example of this vision.
Mr. Chikodi Onyemerela, Acting Country Director, British Council, in brief remarks stated that he was happy that the University has taken an interest in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. He indicated that he was immensely impressed with the ideas of the contestants. “No matter how odd the ideas of our young people are, we shouldn’t throw it in the trash, never!…it starts with a crazy thought and that crazy thought is where great innovations lie”, said Mr. Onyemerela.
The other five finalists were CARTAgro, Agrimecarb, Fihankra, Comtech LLC, Stefarms and Mam Ne Fo. Special prizes and acknowledgement were given to deserving individuals and teams who partook in the competition.
The Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Connecting Accra Project was launched by the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID), University of Ghana, in collaboration with the Imperial College London (ICL), and the Impact Hub Accra, as part of efforts to promote enterprise skills development, and address the disconnect between key stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Accra.
The two-phased project was premised on the persistent challenge of youth’s unemployment and the continuous efforts of institutions to enhance entrepreneurial potential in Ghana. It was supported by the British Council, Ghana.
The first phase of the project carried out through a series of roundtable discussions and virtual coaching sessions after which student entrepreneurs were sampled and engaged to understand their entrepreneurial needs. The second phase began with an official launch where 28 entrepreneurial teams of over 100 students were recruited, coached and mentored for two and half months, after which the six finalists pitched their project on the Demo Day.
Present at the event were Dr. Tomisin Fashina Group Executive- Operations & Technology, Ecobank; Mr. Enoch Abeiku Bart-Plange, Finance Officer, National Entrepreneurshipp, and Innovation Programme (NEIP); Ms. Louisa Preko, Medical Director, Rosche Product Ghana Limited; Mr. Curtis Vanderpuije, Expresspay Ghana; Mr. Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director, Kosmos Innovation Center; Mr. Samuel Addo, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, MTN Ghana and Mr. Hama, Mchammah Engineering Limited.
A cross-section of members from the University community including Mrs. Elizier Taiba Ameyaw-Buronyah; Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Mr. Prince Asumadu, the Student Representative Council President were also in attendance.
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