Accra-Ghana, Sept. 01, GNA – Four groups of students from the University of Ghana (UG) have each received $10,000 to pursue their research ideas.
The fund will aid them in putting their ideas for improving seed quality and yields into action.
The funding was presented to them at the West Africa Center for Crop Improvement (WACCI), Legon on Thursday.
The initiative is a partnership between the Kofi Annan Enterprise Hub for Agricultural Innovation (KAEHAI) at the WACCI, and the Entrepreneurship Training and Incubator Programme of the KGL Foundation.
Seedxperts Innovations, Global Seed Technology, Seedsol Company Limited, and Vegnovation are among the startups that will benefit.
At the ceremony, the beneficiaries interacted with potential investors and hoped to secure more resources for their operations.
Madam Jereme Karen Agyemang, Program Manager, KAEHAI, WACCI, said the initiative would motivate other organizations to contribute resources to improve the agricultural sector.
“We hope that the initiative will spur other organisations, particularly in the private sector to create partnerships that will provide the necessary resources needed to transform agriculture in Ghana and the wider sub-region for a better future for our youth,” she said.
She said the program would enable beneficiaries to do research that would lead to the development of initiatives that would create jobs.
“This will help them become successful Afro-entrepreneurs to drive innovation and new product development for agricultural transformation in Ghana,” Madam Agyemang added.
Mr Ken Okwar Fening, an entomologist, noted that similar initiatives were needed to improve the capacity of individuals and businesses to promote the development of critical sectors of the economy.
“As scientists, lecturers and a university, what we are doing is important. We need to push the agenda of agriculture and food security,” he said.
Nana Adwoa Agyemang, CEO of Seedxpert Innovations and a final year MPhil student at the School of Agriculture, asked the government and other investors for more assistance.
She said the initiative would provide farmers with hybrid tomato seeds that would supply optimal yields.
“We appreciate this support and we hope to start our operations in 2024,” she said.
