UGBS Launches Innovation and Incubation Hub

In a bid to develop the entrepreneurial skills of students and in particular, the youth of Ghana, the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) launched the school’s newly established Innovation and Incubation Hub (UGBS Nest) on 7th February 2023, at the R.S. Amegashie Auditorium. 

Welcoming the gathering, Prof Justice Nyigmah Bawole, Dean of the Business School indicated that the teaching in the school should not only be theory based but must be  practice inclusive, which is necessary to develop skills that will enable students to set up viable businesses whilst still on campus. The Dean further added that the hub will be the ideal avenue for students to incubate and nurture their ideas into fully grown businesses. " So basically, this will create the opportunity for students to be able to establish sustainable businesses for themselves," Professor Justice Bawole said.

In his brief remarks, Professor Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Provost of the College of Humanities expressed his delight at the establishment of the innovation hub and further added that "the innovation hub will serve as a beginning point for brilliant students' aspirations to assess whether or not their visions will function in the actual world." 

On his part, Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation and Development at the University of Ghana expressed gratitude to the Business School for the initiative, saying it is aligned with the University's innovation policy. In addition, Professor Asante pledged his commitment to constructing a maker space for the University to harvest diverse skills from students for the country. 

Delivering a speech on behalf of Mr. Ernest Kwesi Appiah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Agricultural Manufacturing Group (AMG), Ms. Dorothy Opoku, General manager, Administration and Commercial at AMG expressed appreciation to the Business School for the efforts in addressing some of the issues plaguing young people by establishing the hub.  Mr. Appiah further pledged his dedication to the project's success and urged other stakeholders to support young people's innovative ideas to create a robust economy. 

Subsequently, Dr. George Acheampong the Coordinator for UGBS Nest expressed appreciation to the main financier AMG Limited for the immense contribution towards the project. He further expressed his appreciation to the Agency for International Development (USAID) and the British Council for their support. He was also grateful to the core team at the innovation hub for their dedication and hard work. 

The event ended with the official opening of the hub by Ms. Dorothy Opoku with support from all the dignitaries. The dignitaries were the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Acting Director of Human Resources at the University of Ghana, Dr. Yvonne Lamptey, CEO of National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme Mr. Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Ghana National Youth Authority, Ms. Akosua Manu Mr. Anum Quansah from the Ghana Intellectual Property Office, Mr. Alfred Aggrey-Ampiah of Total Energies Ghana, Dr. Bright Mawudor, Dean of Wisconsin International University, Mr. Solomin Adjah of the British High Commission, Mr. Solomon Adjei from Ghana Start-Up Network and  Mr. William Senyo, Impact hub.