In a partnership between Autodesk Inc. and the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre GCIC), three GCIC supported climate innovation start-ups  will receive a donation of Autodesk software and technology that enables 3D design, engineering, visualization, and simulation of ideas for impact. The businesses are: Cibus Technologies Limited, Sustainable Energy Technologies Limited and Special Learning Materials Limited.

Since its inception in 2014, the Autodesk Foundation has supported impact-oriented organizations—including non-profits, social enterprises, and start-ups – by providing funding, software, training, and related support, so that these organizations can maximize their impact. The Autodesk Technology Impact Program offers selected social impact organizations access to three-year subscriptions of powerful software valued at up to $600,000.

With access to the solutions provided through the partnership, the GCIC supported climate innovation enterprises  will have the opportunity to scale their innovation and drive business growth, thus maximizing their social and environmental impact as is the aim of both collaborating organizations.

One of the beneficiaries, Margaretha Ubels, CEO of Special Learning Materials, expressed her excitement over the enormous benefits the partnership will bring. She said:

“We are in the process of developing a product line made from recycled plastic, which will enable us to manufacture 3D products. The software donation from Autodesk perfectly fits in with this. It facilitates product design including creation of moulds for the casting of product parts. With this software we can create MVPs and prototypes, test them, and easily modify where needed. The software will also enable us to offer affordable mould making services to small plastic recycling businesses who now are faced with the high cost of foreign-made moulds”.

GCIC is a pioneering business incubator with the mission to develop and support an exceptional set of transformational ventures and entrepreneurs who are pioneering adaptive and mitigating solutions for climate change issues in Ghana. The Centre provides premium business advisory and business mentoring services, technical support in the development, prototyping and testing of their innovation, as well as financial Proof of Concept grants to qualifying SMEs within our incubator.

On June 13, 2024, the Ashesi University’s Ghana Climate Innovation Centre hosted its 6th Incubating Climate Innovation Symposium at the Kempinski Hotel.

Under the theme “Catalyzing Climate Innovation: From Ideas to Impact,” the event sought to redefine success in the climate adaptation space, aiming to inspire collaboration and drive tangible outcomes.

This was explored through discussions on key topics such as Investing in Climate Solutions – Mobilizing Capital for Impact, From Ideas to Impact, Incubating Climate Solutions, and Building Resilience – Overcoming Challenges in Climate Entrepreneurship.

Esteemed speakers from several sectors and countries shared insights and proposed actions to address the pressing climate challenges. Based on their contributions, the following recommendations are proposed:

 Key Recommendations:

Integrate Climate and Development Policies

Recognize that climate challenges are developmental challenges. Ghana’s progress towards becoming a high-income country by 2056 and doubling its per capita GDP in the medium term is intrinsically linked to addressing climate change.

Implement policies that maximize synergies between climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives and development goals. Prioritize and sequence interventions to achieve optimal results.

Empower Women in Climate Leadership

Harness the leadership potential of women in achieving global climate objectives. Intentional efforts should be made to support and include women at all levels of climate action and innovation.

Address specific barriers faced by female-led businesses, encouraging them to engage fully with available funding and support mechanisms.

Foster a Supportive Ecosystem for Innovation

Create a conducive environment where climate innovations can thrive, which includes better fiscal policies, supportive government policies, and access to capital.

Encourage collaboration among stakeholders as impactful ideas often arise from collective efforts.

Focus on Problem-Solving and Value Creation

Emphasize the importance of understanding and loving the problem being addressed. Clarity in problem-solving approaches is essential for attracting investment and achieving sustainable solutions.

Ensure that businesses create genuine value as a basis for financial success. Innovations should be geared towards solving real problems and generating tangible impacts.

Develop Bold Paradigm-Shifting Innovations

Encourage the development of bold, paradigm-shifting innovations that can attract funding and address the infrastructure needs of the 21st century in Africa.

Support early-stage incubation to build investible and globally competitive businesses. Investment in the early stages of innovation is crucial for long-term success.

Align Policy with Green Growth Strategies

Governments must create the right policy incentives and environments to support climate entrepreneurs. Effective policy frameworks are essential for implementing green growth strategies.

Ensure that climate entrepreneurs are recognized as key vehicles for implementing government green growth strategies.

Preserve Social and Family Integrity

Recognize the integral role of women in the family unit and ensure that climate funding and initiatives do not compromise family integrity. Support systems should respect and enhance the social structures within communities.

Conclusion

The 6th Incubating Climate Innovation Symposium has highlighted the interconnectedness of climate and development challenges, the critical role of women in climate leadership, the necessity of a supportive ecosystem for innovation, and the importance of value creation and problem-solving. By implementing these recommendations, stakeholders can catalyze climate innovation from ideas to impactful solutions, driving Ghana and Africa towards a sustainable and resilient future.

 

SIGNED

Ruka Sanusi, Executive Director

June 2024

Over 100 jobs are to be created through the “Green Business Competitions for MSMEs” programme, which was recently launched by the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) in collaboration with German Development Cooperation. As part of this two-phased programme, 30 Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) from sectors such as renewable energy, waste management, water management and sustainable agriculture have been inducted.

For the next six months, these MSMEs will receive comprehensive advisory services, technical assistance, and financial support. This initiative aims to drive innovation and create green jobs across five regions: Greater Accra, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo. In this way, the German Cooperation is emphasising its commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and sustainability in the Ghanaian economic landscape. Notably, 69.1% of the population in these areas is engaged in agriculture, with cashew cultivation being a significant activity in the Bono and Ahafo regions, covering 63,234 hectares.

MSMEs provide over 80% of global manpower and are a major contributor to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In Ghana, the MSME sector is estimated to employ more than 80% of the workforce and generates over 70% of GDP. Despite the significant contributions of MSMEs to the Ghanaian economy, the sector is faced with many challenges. These constraints include limited access to credit facilities, equipment and technology, high borrowing costs, lack of trained employees, lack of management capacity, and lack of access to the market.

“This programme is a testament to our dedication to fostering a resilient green economy in Ghana. By supporting these MSMEs, we are not only creating jobs but also encouraging sustainable business practices that will benefit the environment and the economy,” said Benjamin Attigah, from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), which is implementing the programme on behalf of the German Government.

The Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC), an institute of Ashesi University, serves as the implementing partner for the programme. GCIC leverages its expertise in nurturing startups and scaling enterprises within the green economy by providing business advisory services, technical support, market access, and financial assistance.

“At GCIC, our mission is to help businesses thrive in the green economy. This programme is a perfect example of how we can provide the necessary support to ensure these enterprises not only survive but also scale successfully,” stated Ruka Sanusi, Executive Director of GCIC. She encouraged the entrepreneurs to utilize the support provided beyond the initial grant to grow their businesses effectively.

The Green Business Competition for MSMEs marks a significant advancement towards sustainable economic growth and environmental stewardship in Ghana. As these MSMEs innovate within a green economy framework, they become catalysts for positive change, propelling the nation towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. This effort aligns with the government’s vision to promote value addition through processing and manufacturing, which holds promise for these five regions and beyond.

Yvette Tetteh, CEO of Yvaya Farms and a proud alumnus of GCIC cohort 5, has unveiled exciting new plans to broaden the horizons of Yvaya Farms by expanding its operations and export presence across various European markets.

Yvaya Farms specializes in the art of crafting all-natural tropical dried fruit products from fresh fruits, catering to wholesale and retail markets, and serving high level clients including airline catering companies. They have recently secured acceptance into the esteemed Dutch CBI (Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries) program. This achievement couldn’t have come at a better time as they prepare to transition to their export-oriented facility in June. It’s a strategic milestone, particularly as they’re set to graduate from the German IPD (Import Promotion Desk) program this year.

The significance of this acceptance? It means continued support for Yvaya Farms’ export endeavours and facilitated access to B2B clients and trade fairs throughout Europe.

In other remarkable developments, Yvaya Farms has successfully completed a second, larger shipment to a valued partner company in Italy who, impressed by their initial 2023 order of 1 ton, swiftly requested an increased order within just four months. Yvette has a scheduled visit to their facility in Italy during Q2 2024 to deepen this crucial partnership and to explore how to take advantage of the global dried fruit market which was valued at USD 7.5 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 17.6 Billion by 2033, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.9% during the forecast period 2024 – 2033.

Adding to their list of accomplishments, Yvaya Farms has proudly announced the finalization of their inaugural FCL (Full Container Load) export order with a distributor in Germany. This achievement is the culmination of two years of dedicated relationship-building and hard work as well as the growth of their office staff strength, to drive the Pure and Just mission to catalyse African potential.

To discover how GCIC supported this climate-smart business practice and how they are fostering sustainable job creation, enhancing rural livelihoods, offering nutritious foods, and protecting the environment, visit ghanacic.org

You can also visit https://yvayafarm.com to find out more about their products.

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in Ghana’s economy with over 90% of business enterprises in 2019 being SMEs. Against the backdrop of a growing global demand for environmentally sustainable products and services, green entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to drive efforts towards climate mitigation and adaptation.

The Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC), with funding from Global Affairs Canada has been instrumental in enabling the scaling of green businesses in Ghana. With a commitment to support at least 240 entrepreneurs, Global Affairs Canada’s support represents a significant investment in the country’s sustainable development and economic growth.

Since June 2016, GCIC has incubated over 170 businesses, fostering the development of innovative solutions to address climate change. These enterprises have collectively mitigated nearly 600,000 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to the emissions of over 340,000 Ghanaians. They’ve also created over 2000 jobs in total employment, a significant achievement in the wake of the just ended May Day, a day that celebrates the hard work of employees globally.

On April 15th, 2024, GCIC welcomed cohort 9 into its incubator while bidding farewell to 26 businesses from cohort 8. The latest cohort comprises 14 male-led and 12 female-led businesses, reflecting a diverse entrepreneurial selection.

Shauna Flanagan, First Secretary at Global Affairs Canada, commended the newly inducted businesses for their dedication to addressing climate challenges and emphasized the crucial role that small entrepreneurs play in driving Ghana’s climate solutions forward stating that stating that “many of Ghana’s climate solutions come from small entrepreneurs”.

Cohort 8, upon completing the program, collectively received CAD 550,155.32 to further innovative their products and services. The ceremony marked a major milestone, as the eighth cohort of 26 entrepreneurs graduated from the GCIC’s incubation program after completing a year-long journey of growth and development. This graduation highlighted the impactful support provided by GCIC in nurturing green entrepreneurs and fostering innovation in Ghana.

According to Nielsen, 81% of global consumers strongly feel businesses should help improve the environment. This sentiment is echoed in the profiles of businesses accepted into the GCIC incubator this year. For instance, Kingsworth Farms, a male-led venture in the cohort, focuses on land restoration through neem plantation cultivation, whereas Akofresh Limited, led by a woman, offers solar-powered cold storage solutions to farmers, thereby extending the shelf life of agricultural produce.

During the combined induction and graduation ceremonies, the newly admitted businesses expressed enthusiasm about joining cohort 9, while graduating entrepreneurs looked forward optimistically to scaling new heights post-incubation.

 

Standard Chartered has inducted 20 new female start-ups into the 4^th Cohort of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech incubator programme. The programme is implemented by Ashesi University’s Ghana Climate Innovation Centre and is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. With a renewed focus on sustainability, this year’s programme reflects the Bank’s commitment to fostering environmentally and socially responsible business practices.

Mansa Nettey, Chief Executive, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC, emphasized the importance of the programme, stating, “The Bank is deeply passionate about our communities and continues to create opportunities that will help the youth to have a brighter future. To advance gender diversity in tech for entrepreneurs, we need ‘sheroes’ and changemakers to drive innovation and shape the future”. She also shared nuggets of advice with the inductees, inspiring them to be authentic, confident and ambitious.

The Standard Chartered Women in Technology Incubator programme speaks to the Bank’s strategy of investing in women- owned businesses to bring greater prosperity and diversity to the communities in which they operate with emphasis on supporting innovation, infrastructure and technology.  Through this initiative, women entrepreneurs have a platform to build capacity and realize their full potential in the world of business.

Additionally, six entrepreneurs will receive grant of USD 10,000 (equivalent in GHS) each at the culmination of the programme, highlighting the bank’s commitment to nurturing growth and innovation in the tech industry, with a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Ruka Sanusi, Executive Director of the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, highlighted the achievements of previous cohorts, stating that in three cohorts, the Standard Chartered Women in Tech programme had incubated 54 businesses, with these enterprises generating over GHC2M in revenues during their incubation period of 6 months, and employing over 400 people.

In her address, Janet Sunkwa Mills, Marketing Consultant, Board Member of the Executive Women Network, (EWN), and CEO of Jane’M Salon & Spa, issued a call-to-action to the inductees to reimagine and reinvent solutions that foster meaningful global impact.

Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo, founder and Executive Director of Georgette Barnes Ltd., a Ghanaian drilling and mining supplies company, charged the twenty female business owners to work towards overcoming any gender issues they may face in their business journey, citing her own experiences to encourage them.

Launched in 2014 in New York, Standard Chartered Bank’s Women in Technology Incubator programme is now a global programme and implemented in 9 markets in Africa and Middle East including Ghana.

ISSUED BY – GHANA CLIMATE INNOVATION CENTRE 

BUILDING A RESILIENT GREEN ECONOMY IN GHANA: THE ROLE OF POLICY, PARTNERSHIPS, AND FINANCE’ 

15TH OF JUNE 2023, MOVENPICK HOTEL ACCRA. 

 INTRODUCTION 

 The Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) organized a one-day symposium on “Building a Resilient Green Economy in Ghana: The Role of Policy, Partnerships, and Finance” on June 15th, 2023, at the Movenpick Hotel in Accra. The symposium aimed to explore the potential of current financial models, products, and impact investment models in Ghana to foster a transition to a robust low-carbon economy. This communiqué presents the key discussions, outcomes, and consensus reached by the participants. The GCIC is currently funded by Global Affairs Canada. 

PARTICIPANTS  

The symposium brought together esteemed speakers and panellists, including representatives from the Canadian High Commission, Ashesi University, African Centre for Economic Transformation, CQ Legal & Consulting, World Bank, Bank of Ghana, Deloitte Ghana, Ghana Forestry Commission, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, Injaro Investments, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Venture Capital Trust Fund, CAL Bank, and MANA Mobility. 

KEY OBSERVATIONS 

During the symposium, speakers and panellists made several important observations: 

Ruka Sanusi 

“If we are to achieve the AU agenda 2063, if we are to successfully execute the dream of the AFTCA, if we are to tackle the climate emergency and even conflict on our continent, we would need to address underlying issues of livelihood, jobs, and businesses. We would need to give our businesses a chance.” 

 “New market conditions and changing global needs, require new approaches, new approaches to solve our social and environmental challenges. When you’re dealing with new, pioneering, first of a kind situation, you cannot rely on what you’ve done before nor rely on how you’ve done it before. In the face of climate change, that goes to our policy makers and to our financial institutions.” 

Kathleen Flynn Dapaah 

“It is important that the solutions to societal challenges are locally driven.” 

“We all know the impact of climate change on our lives, but we shouldn’t lose sight that developing a green economy will not only boost the resilience of the population, but it will also create jobs and provide sustainable livelihoods for a number of households.” 

Professor Angela Owusu Ansah 

“The main goal of green finance and policy is to put in place climate smart practices.” 

Professor Asafu-Adjaye 

“To really make an impact, to be sustainable and to be broad-based, growth has to happen with depth.” 

D- diversified exports and production  

E- making exports more competitive.  

P- productivity growth across all sectors  

T- technology and innovation  

H- Improvement in human wellbeing  

Xorse Godzi 

“Ladies and gentlemen, traditionally and historically, finance has always focused on maximizing profits and shareholder returns without considering environmental and societal value of the projects of businesses.” 

“In the wake of increasing demand for the world to transition to systems, policies and capital that minimize the risk of environmental destruction and safeguard the world for future generations, sustainable finance serves as an effective tool and an enabler.” 

“It is our firm belief that through sustainable financing framework and a focus on sustainability by regulators, Ghana can build its credentials as a leader in Africa’s path to more sustainable financing investment in economies.” 

 

Panel discussion 1 

Stephen Armah 

“Recognizing the role of financial stability…. it provides a foundation for formulating impactful policies that can effectively contribute to addressing the urgent challenges of climate change.” 

Aurelien Kruse 

“At the heart of our collective efforts to combat climate change lies the imperative to not only enact legislation but also ensure its effective implementation. Let us actively utilize policy and financial instruments to drive tangible actions and ignite transformative change.” 

Cynthia Quarcoo 

“We excel at crafting legislation, but it fails to bring about meaningful change because of poor implementation and or enforcement.” 

 

Rosaline Fosuah Adjei 

 ” This reality holds true in the context of climate change: the  emphasis is on robust policies and financial investments.” 

 

 Panel discussion 2 

Valerie Labi 

“I think the starting point for government is to realize that government should be an enabler of sustainable development”. 

 “That’s the starting point, if you’re in business, in an innovative and sustainable space, to get comfortable, you’ll always be uncomfortable in certain circumstances.”. 

Yaw Afriyie 

“In our pursuit of addressing climate change, it is imperative to thoroughly examine the potential of the circular economy structure. By engaging in meaningful partnerships with institutions, we can forge a path towards sustainable development. This entails not only devising robust policies but also harnessing financial instruments that empower and support climate-focused SMEs, enabling them to thrive and contribute to a greener future.” 

Hamdiya Ismaila 

“We must endeavour to raise awareness among investors, encouraging them to explore novel opportunities and embrace a willingness to invest in uncharted territories. It is through such bold ventures and financial commitments that we can uncover innovative solutions and unlock the potential for a sustainable future.” 

Mirabelle Moreaux 

“In our (venture capital) world, it is vital to recognize that the solutions we devise often come with inherent time limits. Time is of the essence in our battle against climate change, necessitating swift action, adaptation, and continuous innovation to ensure the effectiveness and relevance of our solutions.” 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

• Based on these observations, the following key recommendations were formulated: 

• Policy should be a driving force in promoting the adoption of sustainable finance. 

• Financial institutions should prioritize environmental and societal value alongside profit maximization. 

• Enhancing affordable energy through renewable sources is vital for accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. 

• Implementing the D.E.P.T.H. approach: Promoting diversified exports and production; Enhancing export competitiveness;  

• Stimulating productivity growth across all sectors;  
• Encouraging technology and innovation;  
• Improving human wellbeing. 

• Policies play a pivotal role in shaping and restructuring the green economy. As we navigate the challenges of climate change, it becomes increasingly evident that transformative policies are indispensable for achieving sustainability objectives. By deliberately designing and implementing policy frameworks that prioritize environmental protection, renewable energy, and resource efficiency, we can foster the growth of a resilient and thriving green economy. 

 This communiqué serves as a testament to the commitment and determination of all participants at the fifth annual Incubating Climate Innovation symposium towards building a resilient green economy in Ghana. The Ghana Climate Innovation Centre and its partners will continue to advocate for the implementation of the recommendations discussed at the symposium and work towards a sustainable future for the country. 

 

Signed, 

Ruka Sanusi 

Executive Director, Ghana Climate Innovation Centre 

In May 2024, the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) partnered with Farmerline, a leading AgriTech business that has reached 2.2 million farmers through 3,000+ partners across 48 countries, to launch a new AGRI-SME incubation track. By December 2024, this initiative aims to nurture 10 agri-businesses and subsequently benefit over 12,000 smaller farm holdings from several regions in the country. 

Farmerline recently raised a total of $20 million in Pre-Series A funding to expand into West Africa and beyond. This investment is helping the company to deepen its impact by strengthening its supply chain for agribusinesses, reducing farming costs, and increasing yields across the continent. 

Since its establishment in 2016, GCIC has successfully incubated over 170 businesses with funding from the World Bank and currently Global Affairs Canada. The collaboration with Farmerline is part of GCIC’s broader project with Global Affairs Canada, representing an opportunity to ensure that smallholder farmers are not marginalized in the transition to a low-carbon economy. 

At the launch of the project, Dr. Dramani Bukari, Director of Partnerships, Entrepreneurship, and Investments at GCIC, illuminated the far-reaching impact of the GCIC-Farmerline partnership. He emphasized that while the partnership would directly benefit the 10 agribusinesses currently incubated, its effects would extend to over 12,000 smallholder farmers within the network. Dr. Bukari highlighted that the incubation program would leverage various forms of support from the GCIC, including capacity building, climate-smart field training, and grants. In addition to these initiatives, Farmerline will harness its Darli AI – conversational Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to educate farmers and provide digitization, inputs, and asset financing support. Content from training will be converted into local language voice messages to be disseminated through their Mergdata platform.  

In Ghana, the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Uses of Land (AFOUL) sector emerge as a notable contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Consequently, GCIC consistently receives many applications from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the climate-smart agricultural sector. This sector holds immense importance for several reasons, including its role in sustaining rural livelihoods, empowering women (who constitute a significant portion of smallholder farmers), and ensuring food security. Nationally, farming contributes to 20% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and employs 40% of the population. These factors informed the development of a strategic partnership between GCIC and Farmerline. 

Farmerline combines digital tools, logistics, field agents, farm resources, and other Agri partnerships to support farmers. The company promotes the adoption of drought-resistant seeds, implementing sustainable agricultural practices like crop rotation, and transitioning to solar-powered equipment while leveraging financing, technology, and a network of partners to help increase yields and profit. Founded in Ghana Farmerline has operations in Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Tanzania amongst other African countries. 

During the launch event of the partnership, feedback from farmers underscored the profound impact of climate change on agricultural variables, particularly rain patterns, which in turn have affected yields and incomes. Farmers emphasized that female farmers are disproportionately affected due to their inability to afford the inputs necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change on yields. Furthermore, farmers emphasized the critical role of agriculture in ensuring food security and providing employment opportunities for young people. They emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of food production in Ghana, contributing over 80% to the country’s total output. 

Ruka Sanusi, the Executive Director of the Ghana Climate Innovation Council (GCIC), reiterated to the cohort that GCIC’s core mandate is to empower businesses in adapting their processes to become resilient to climate change. She emphasized the significance of designing a project that extends its reach to the last mile of agriculture, focused on adapting traditional farming practices to ensure an equitable transition for those who typically lack access to training. 

According to Worlali Senyo, Ghana Country Manager at Farmerline, “a robust network of local AgriSMEs is the backbone of a climate-resilient agricultural ecosystem. When these AgriSMEs thrive, they become hubs for disseminating knowledge and resources, fostering a culture of climate resilience among smallholders. Together, Farmerline, GCIC, and local agriSMEs are investing in the present and future of our food systems, and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, transforming the threat of climate change into an opportunity for innovation and shared prosperity.”      

GCIC, an institute of Ashesi University, concentrates on five key sectors: solar energy, water purification, energy efficiency, domestic waste management, and climate-smart agriculture. It offers support to green businesses responding to climate change from both the adaptation and mitigations standpoints.  

Desmond Koney, an alum of the Ghana Climate Innovation Center’s Cohort 2 has recently accomplished a significant milestone. His venture, Complete Farmer, secured a noteworthy pre-Series A funding round totaling US$10.4 million, earmarked to fuel the expansion endeavors of Complete Farmer, furthering its mission to revolutionize the agricultural sector. 

Complete Farmer is an end-to-end digital, agricultural marketplace that connects African farmers and global industries to competitive markets, resources, data, and each other on a single platform. The Complete Farmer’s technology platform is a comprehensive one-stop resource that leverages proprietary cultivation protocols for crop production, enabling smallholder and commercial farmers to cultivate commodities that conform to global market specifications, thereby ensuring post-harvest offtake. For as little as 500 USD/acre, anyone with an internet connection can grow crops for any business on the platform and for a return on investment. 

Desmond, with mechanical engineering background, set off on his entrepreneurial journey in production engineering, by building a prototype for a biodigester whilst incubating with the GCIC. Whilst managing his father’s farm and being exposed to the frustrations of small holder farmers, he pivoted into digitalizing the farm. He identified a need to digitize the value chain for farmers to connect demand and supply sides to make production and the value chain more efficient. 

Giving a keynote address at the re launch of the GCIC’s Climate Innovation Enterprise Network of Ghana, Desmond gave valuable insights into how important it is to identify what you do best to be able to keep assessing and adjusting one’s business model. He contradicted conventional opinions, saying that; “Capital is the least essential element of scaling up. The key lies in having the right market fit, timing, and leveraging your own individual talent for capital.”  

To wrap up his submissions, he stated, “I am inspired by the collective potential of young individuals who contribute their ideas, regardless of scale. I firmly believe that these collaborative efforts will lead to substantial progress, ultimately driving the African continent forward.” 

 

The Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC) of Ashesi University and the German Development Cooperation – implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) – today announced a new partnership worth about EUR 1.2 million for the realisation of the Business Incubation and Acceleration Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to promote economic growth.  

The brief signing ceremony, which was attended by Patrick Awuah,  the President of Ashesi University and Ruka Sanusi, the Executive Director of the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, served to highlight the need to promote green business practices and create jobs. This initiative is in line with Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The focus is on mitigating climate change and using climate-friendly technologies for economic growth. The “Ghana Green Jobs Strategy” aims to create over one million jobs by 2030. 

Impacting Economic Growth through MSMEs  

MSMEs are the backbone of Ghana’s economy, representing about 90% of all businesses and accounting for over two-thirds of employment. Currently, some of the biggest obstacles these MSMEs face are the lack of business skills, low access to credit, high borrowing costs, lack of management capacity, and lack of access to the market. In addition, new business streams that contribute to green growth, are still at its infant stage.  

For this reason, the GIZ Support to the Private and Financial Sector (PFS) Programme is implementing the Business Incubation and Acceleration Programme. 

 

With this programme, the selected businesses are expected to drive the promotion of environmentally sustainable businesses and create employment opportunities that will have a positive impact on business performance, employee livelihoods, and the overall economy. Additionally, all participating businesses will have the opportunity to access financial grants up to 10,000 Euros per business to boost their operations and facilitate the further development of green enterprise initiatives. 

 Collaboration for a Sustainable Future  

In a welcome address at the signing ceremony, Dr. Christian Jahn, the Head of the Private and Financial Sector Programme at GIZ stated that “This collaboration between GCIC and the GIZ-PFS Programme exemplifies our commitment to building the capacities of SMEs to operate sustainably.”  

As the executing partner for the programme, Ashesi University’s GCIC brings a decade of expertise in incubating early and growth-stage enterprises in the green economy. 

“Since inception, one of Ashesi’s priorities has been enabling sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa,” shared Ashesi’s President Patrick Awuah. “The Ghana Climate Innovation Centre plays a strong role in helping Ashesi take this commitment to many more businesses beyond Ashesi’s own campus. We are excited to collaborate with GIZ to expand this work further to support MSMEs become green and inclusive .”