Yaw Osafo Maafo (middle), Dr. Kwaku Afriyie with some participants at the launch
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr. Kwaku Afriyie says the country cannot make significant progress if it fails to adapt to changes and find innovative solutions to challenges in the fast evolving world.
Speaking at the launch of the National Innovation Challenge (NIC) yesterday in Accra, he said issues such as climate change, healthcare, education among others require more creative ways to tackle them in a bid to transform the country.
He therefore said, “It is not enough to simply maintain the status quo. We must reach beyond the boundaries of convention and embrace the limitless potential of human creativity. Innovation is not the sole domain of any single sector. It transcends boundaries, and it belongs to all of us.”
Though the minister encouraged partnerships between universities, research institutions and industry to help drive an ecosystem for innovation to thrive, he assured Ghanaians of government’s commitment to support and nurture innovation while investing in research and development as well as grants that would help create an innovation-driven country.
The National Innovation Challenge is an initiative of the Public Sector Reform for Results Project that emerged from the National Public Sector Reform Strategy.
The project, which spans from 2020 to 2023, aims at invigorating the public service to help it to develop cutting-edge services to transform the country.
According to the Director of Science, Technology and Innovation at MESTI, Kwamena Essilfie Quaison, his outfit as a key partner is expected to leverage on science, technology and innovation for national development by sensitising various sectors to use science, technology and innovation to help them to achieve results.
He said the NIC which will be institutionalised would also provide financial and technical support to help various state institutions to be innovative in addressing some of the problems facing the country.
He also stated that the programme expects about 1,500 individuals or groups with ready market concept notes to apply, with 80 of them to be shortlisted.
He said successful applicants who will be selected will provide videos of their innovative concept and pitch to a live audience, while the technical committee evaluate each of the innovation.
Mr. Quaison added that 20 individuals or groups will be selected out of the 80, with the final 10 taken through various training for the final implementation of the project.
“The programme is expected to cumulatively disburse 1 million dollars, awardees will receive 50,000 dollars and 100,000 dollars, which will be done at the discretion of the technical committee,” he stated.
Senior Presidential Advisor, Yaw Osafo Maafo, in a brief remark commended MESTI for embarking on such a project that would help harness the potential of diverse people, especially the youth who are endowed with creative ideas and skills.
He, however, appealed to the ministry to expand the forum for this laudable project to all sectors of the economy and parts of the country considering the importance of science and technology to the development of the country.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah