Kumasi has officially entered Ghana’s tech spotlight after hosting its first-ever edition of the internationally acclaimed Tech in Ghana conference, marking a historic step for the Ashanti Region in the country’s digital economy.

Founder of the conference, Akosua Annobil, expressed her excitement at bringing the platform to her home region, urging participants to seize the opportunities presented over the two-day event.

“The Ashanti Region’s influence and energy hold immense potential for Ghana’s next wave of technological advancement,” she said.

The conference, held over the weekend, drew innovators, investors, policymakers, students, and traditional leaders to discuss how technology can accelerate regional and national development. The event comes amid calls for decentralised tech opportunities beyond Accra, positioning Kumasi as a growing hub for innovation.

Evans Yaw Amoah-Nyamekye, Special Legal Advisor to the Ashanti Investment Trust, highlighted the Trust’s collaboration with Tech in Ghana to support innovative projects aligned with the region’s development agenda. “Kumasi is alive, awake, and ready for business, and cannot be left out of any future conversation on technology and investment,” he said.

Local tech entrepreneurs welcomed the spotlight. Laud Anthony Basing, Founder of Incas Diagnostics, noted that maintaining his manufacturing company in Kumasi has been advantageous despite pressure to relocate to Accra. “The challenges of operating from Kumasi are less in comparison to the opportunities, and Tech in Ghana has been instrumental in connecting us to new partners and global exposure year after year,” he said.

However, stakeholders acknowledged structural challenges within the ecosystem. Gideon Brefo, CEO of Hapa Space, identified gaps such as limited access to credible datasets, insufficient commercialization of academic research, and concerns over intellectual property protection. “Many developers fear that potential partners or investors may steal their ideas,” he noted, urging for stronger IP protections and the passage of the pending Startup and Innovation Bill.

Despite these hurdles, Brefo described the conference as a turning point. “The event created opportunities for meaningful connections, mentorship from globally exposed leaders, and partnerships capable of accelerating growth,” he said, adding that the theme of the year, centred on “connection,” was evident in the vibrant energy among participants.

The conference also explored the intersection of technology and culture. Brefo highlighted initiatives such as digitised textile designs for loom weavers and virtual reconstructions of historical sites, demonstrating how tech can enhance cultural preservation and offer immersive experiences.