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The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), in partnership with ����VR��Ƶ, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, officially launched the Nkabom Collaborative Initiative at the Palms Convention Centre, located within the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, on September 18, 2025. The launch formed part of the AGI Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition. Special guests in attendance included Hon. Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (MP), Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment; Dr. Nii Addy and Dr. Francis Boateng Agyenim.

The event marked a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to strengthen collaboration between academia, research institutions, and industry to promote innovation, skills development, and sustainable economic growth.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah, Chief Executive Officer of AGI, expressed appreciation to dignitaries and partners for their presence and continuous support. He emphasized that the Nkabom Collaborative Initiative exemplifies AGI’s core mission of fostering industrial development to create jobs and improve livelihoods.

Mr. Twum-Akwaboah highlighted that the initiative is a 10-year partnership designed to bridge the gap between industry and academia through practical collaboration. The project brings together ����VR��Ƶ, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ashesi University, University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Koforidua Technical University (KTU), and the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). Through this collaboration, students will receive hands-on training in entrepreneurship, agribusiness, and food science, while gaining industry exposure through internships with AGI member companies.

Representing the Nkabom Collaborative Secretatriat, Mr. Pierre Brunache Jr., Director of the Secretariat, underscored the initiative’s goal of creating 55,000 jobs, providing 9,000 bursaries, and supporting the establishment of 3,000 enterprises across Ghana. He noted that the Nkabom Collaborative aims to empower youth, women, and persons with disabilities by equipping them with technical, financial, and managerial skills tailored to the needs of industry. “AGI’s role as the private sector anchor is critical to ensuring that our academic outcomes are aligned with market demands,” he added.

Dr. Nii Addy, Associate Professor at ����VR��Ƶ, commended the depth of collaboration between Ghanaian institutions and ����VR��Ƶ. He reflected on the long-standing relationship that laid the foundation for this partnership, noting that Africa’s share of global venture capital remains below 1% despite its vast potential. “This makes global partnerships like Nkabom not only strategic but essential to unlocking Africa’s innovation and enterprise ecosystem,” he remarked.

A recorded message from Professor Carola Weil, Dean of the School of Continuing Studies at ����VR��Ƶ, reaffirmed ����VR��Ƶ’s commitment to advancing Ghana’s industrial development agenda through education and collaboration. She recalled ����VR��Ƶ’s ongoing partnership with AGI, including its contributions to the Entrepreneurship Pitch Contest and the MasterCard Foundation Transitions Project. “The Nkabom Collaborative provides a new platform to scale up our collective impact and deepen our engagement with Ghana’s youth and industries,” she stated.

Dr. Francis Boateng Agyenim, Director at the CSIR-Institute of Industrial Research, delivered a presentation on “Strengthening Research-Industry Collaboration for Innovation and Economic Growth in Ghana.” He highlighted the importance of aligning research outputs with industry needs to promote technology transfer, competitiveness, and value addition across sectors.

In his remarks, Dr. Humphrey Ayim Darke, President of AGI, emphasized the importance of the “Triple Helix Model,” which integrates the roles of government, academia, and industry in driving national development. “Each partner has a critical role to play government must regulate effectively, academia must innovate strategically, and industry must commercialize efficiently. Only then can we achieve sustainable markets and job creation,” he stated.

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (MP), Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, officially launched the Nkabom Collaborative Initiative. He described the initiative as a symbol of Ghana’s collective aspiration for a prosperous, self-reliant, and youth-driven economy. “This is not just a ceremony it is the activation of a dream for a more prosperous and inclusive Ghana,” he said.

Dr. Pelpuo lauded the initiative’s focus on the agri-food sector, emphasizing its potential to transform agriculture into a career of choice for Ghanaian youth. He encouraged young people to embrace the opportunities within the value chain, from production and processing to marketing and exports. “We must change the narrative around agriculture and empower our youth to see it as a pathway to innovation and prosperity,” he asserted.

He further called on AGI to work closely with his Ministry to monitor and celebrate the progress of youth-led enterprises under the program. “The Nkabom Collaborative represents a new way of doing things collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking. Let us serve as mentors, partners, and champions for our young entrepreneurs,” he concluded.

The launch ceremony closed with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to leverage the Nkabom Collaborative as a catalyst for industrial transformation, job creation, and sustainable development in Ghana.