Government through the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, is collaborating with the Korean Government through the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), a research and development organisation, as part of Korea’s   K-Innovation ODA Partnership Programme.

The aim of the collaboration is to support Ghana in developing a robust and economically viable Technological Innovation System in the country.

The three-year policy collaboration initiative would produce a Master Plan for the establishment and operationalisation of the Ghana Innovation and Research Commercialisation (GIRC) Centre, and build capacity for Ghana to execute the masterplan. 

Several activities have taken place over the last twelve months under the collaboration partnership. These activities include a Project Kick-off Workshop, a Capacity Building Workshop and a Dissemination Workhop, all of which drew participants and stakeholders from both Ghana and Korea.

A Situational Analysis of Technology Innovation Support Programmes in Ghana was also conducted and the results, together with some recommendations, were shared during the Dissemination Workshop.

The Capacity Building workshop took place on 14th -16th September 2021. During the three-day virtual workshop, both Ghanaian and Korean experts shared their perspectives, knowledge and insights on key Technology Innovation Support Programmes (TISP) in the two countries.

Following the capacity building workshop, a dissemination workshop was held on the 16th of December, 2021, during which nine sector experts from South Korea shared their insights into the current state of Ghana’s Science, Technology & Innovation (ST&I) system.

Additionally, the experts suggested tailored and sector-oriented Technology Innovation Support Programmes that could transform Ghana’s research, innovation and commercialisation landscape, and create pathways for Ghana to become an ST&I and R&D powerhouse.

The workshop targeted stakeholders from the Public & Private sectors, Academia, Government Agencies, Ghana Hubs Network, Development Partners and Research Institutions.

Dr Kwaku Afriyie, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, was represented by the Chief Director of MESTI, Cynthia Asare Bediako. Also present were some dignitaries, including the Ambassador of Israel to Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia, Schlomit Sufa and Oliver Boachie (Special Advisor to the Minister, MESTI).

The workshop was led and attended by the project manager of the K-Innovation ODA Partnership Programme, Dr Wangdong Kim, the Vice President of Seoul University, Ms Seohee Yoon, the Project Coordinator and several ST&I experts from the South Korean side.

The workshop was organised by The Heritors People (THP) LLC, digital transformation and innovation consulting firm in collaboration with MESTI.