Three UG Students Receive Maiden Thesis Innovation Awards

Three University of Ghana students were officially awarded during the climax celebration of the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa as the first-ever recipients of the UG-RID Thesis Innovation Awards. 

The awards, presented by Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development, recognised students who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, originality, feasibility, market potential and strong business models in transforming their thesis projects into viable ventures.

The awards were launched in April 2025, attracting 15 applications across undergraduate, master’s and PhD categories. After a rigorous selection process involving shortlisting, interviews and presentations before a four-member panel, three students were chosen for their outstanding work. 

Wisdom Mensah’s undergraduate thesis on plant-based meat analogues inspired the business Magna Foods, focusing on ready-to-eat soybean chunks. Peace Semekor Adegbenu, a Master’s student, examined post-harvest management practices, leading to the business Agri-Intern Ghana. PhD awardee Clementine Odei, PhD., explored mentoring as a tool for human resource development in public universities, culminating in Total Mentorship Global.

Prof. Asante noted that the initiative demonstrates the University’s commitment to ensuring academic research leads to real-world social and economic transformation and congratulated all applicants for embodying the spirit of innovation.

Each of the three awardees received a cash prize of Two Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS 2,000) and a certificate. They will also receive ongoing support from the Research and Innovation Directorate to further develop and scale their business ideas.

This initiative will become an annual feature of the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa celebration, highlighting and rewarding student innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Ghana.