The Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Ghana Connect Project has launched this year’s Student Venture Support Training at the University of Ghana. The project, which is in its third phase, aims at creating a platform to nurture and equip student entrepreneurs with the requisite training to navigate the Ghanaian entrepreneurial landscape.

This initiative is funded by the British Council, with support from the Impact Hub Accra and Imperial College London; and students from the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Cape Coast will be the beneficiaries.

Speaking at the launch, Prof. Felix Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research Innovation and Development at the University of Ghana, expressed appreciation to the sponsors and encouraged the selected teams to make the most out of the programme.

‘Embrace the challenges and the feedback you will receive because they will serve as catalysts for growth. Remember, success is not defined by the destination but also by the lessons learned and resilience displayed along the journey’, he said.

In remarks by Professor Ellis Owusu and Prof. Rosemond Boahene, Pro-Vice-Chancellors from the KNUST and UCC respectively, they noted the importance of higher educational institutions inculcating in students the skills to drive sustainable national development. They also commended the sponsors and congratulated the participants for embracing opportunities to develop their ideas and businesses.

On the part of the Project initiators, Sarah Hanchev-Hale, Head of Imperial Enterprise Lab College, London, said, “I think the University of Ghana has done an exceptional job of running these programmes over the past few years now. I do believe that student entrepreneurs really do have the power to make a huge impact in the world across all industries. So, I’m super excited to see the great work that they do over the coming month. And I can’t wait to watch the presentations at the demo day in July,”.

The 2023 IAU Project will be climaxed with a live pitch to an audience dubbed ‘National Demo Day’.

The benefits for participants include personalized education and coaching through advisors, operational support for legal and financial options, and guidance on grant opportunities. There is also an opportunity for the top three emerging winners to receive a Startup Mentorship package from Impact Hub.