As part of the nationwide celebration of Green Ghana Day, the Faculty of Built & Natural Environment (FBNE) has undertaken a significant tree planting exercise on Friday, June 7, 2024.

The exercise was preceded by a procession through campus with staff from the Forestry Commission. Over 100 trees were planted on campus

Research is an essential component of tertiary education as society considers universities as its think tank. As a result, Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities, Ghana (VCTUG) have instituted a Biennial Applied Research Conference of Technical Universities in Ghana (ARCTUG). The focus is to disseminate research findings and exhibits for technology transfer as our contribution to TVET development employment creation in Ghana.

The third (3rd) in the series, was hosted by Sunyani Technical University from May 28 to June 1, 2024. Participants spanned all research institutions in Ghana, Africa, and the international community.

As part of the conference, all Technical Universities (TUs) were mandated to exhibit innovative ideas. Accordingly, Koforidua Technical University submitted a number of new products. These included roofing and floor tiles made from plastic waste, interlocking blocks from waste materials, timbercrete, Artificial Intelligence/IoT Electrical Management System, Automated Chlorine Generator and improved water treatment system.

After an evaluation by a team of experts, Koforidua Technical University ranked third (3rd) in the exhibition and this a testament to the progress the University is making in developing new products in fulfilment of its third mandate, community development.

The exhibitors included Dr. Alexander Fordjour, King Solomon Akorli, Emmanuel Tetteh Narteh, Kwadwo Asamoah Oku-Afari, Jeannet Nnennaya Igwe Onwukwe, Tijani Ahmed Semadu, Isaac Ayittey, Adika Hubert, Bryan Acheampong, Stephen Appiah and Godfred Kwakye Addo.

In addition to the exhibitor were presentation of papers by Dr. Enock Mintah Ampaw, Maxwell Hubert Antwi, King Solomon Akorli, Isaac Tornyi, among other.

The delegation was led by Prof. Samuel Kwofie, the Director of Research and Innovation and assisted by Ms. Patience Kwakyewa Asirifi, the Administrator of the Research and Innovation Directorate

Management of the University, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Owusu, lauded the efforts of all the participants and encouraged further commitment for groundbreaking innovations.

Koforidua Technical University, having implemented successfully, the first (1st) year of Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) AgriTech Challenge Classic and Pro 2023, has commenced activities for the 2024 edition.
With a total of Two Hundred, Fifty-One (251) people billed to participate in the programme, orientation and capacity-building sessions were conducted from June 17-21, 2024 at Abba Bentil Andam Theatre, Koforidua Technical University, Koforidua.

As part of the orientation, participants were briefed on the objectives and expectations of the programme, the essence of psychology in entrepreneurship (psychological aspects of entrepreneurship), the calendar and the curriculum for the programme and an introduction to Google Classroom which is the main interphase for communication and submission of assignments. They were also introduced to Agripreneurship and the Agric value chain, business concept and Agric financial management.

The participants were also taken through various capacity-building sessions on Agri policy and regulations, Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), design thinking, prototyping, software and hardware platforms, Climate-smart agriculture Business Model Canvas (BMC) and identifying Target User Personas.

They further received training in leadership and organisational management, HR: structure, job design, analysis and documentation as well as compliance issues relating to standardisation and certifications from Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Other key areas of focus included Digital Marketing and strategies for effective presentations as well as market research insights into products/ service concepts. In addition to the above were experience sharing sessions with KIC Fellows and businessmen and women encourage participants.

This was well attended and participants expressed their excitement at the programme and noted that it was highly informative.
We wish to express our appreciation to KIC for their support and we hope that the participants will make good use of the information shared to enable more Teams to emerge winners at the end of the challenge.

God bless KIC!
God bless KTU!

Koforidua Technical University was privileged to participate in the Kosmos Innovation AgriTech Challenge Classic and Pro 2023 with two (2) teams winning a total of USD$20,000. These Teams are Paco Paper Ltd. and Green Heart SC which are environmentally-responsive start-ups.

Paco Paper Ltd, with co-founders – Edwins Baah, Nathan Emmanuel Takyi, Rashida Yin Yarigah and Eugenia Martey, manufactures paper products using coconut husk and palm bunches. In contrast, Greenheart SC, with Caleb Lomo, Benjamin Dompreh and Priscilla Gilberts as co-founders, carbonises agricultural waste into biochar soil conditioners, feed enhancers and pesticide spray for pest control and improved farm yields.

Presenting the award to the Management of the University, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Owusu, lauded the commitment of the Team members and the Technical Team – Prof. Samuel Kwofie, Ms. Patience Kwakyewa Asirifi, Dr. Benjamin Kwofie and Mr. Godfried Boafo, as well as the Programme Officer, Ms. Akosua Kyerewaa Twumasi for this feat.

They encouraged the startups to work hard for the sustainability of their businesses and promised to provide the institutional support required for growth.

They further expressed appreciation to Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) for the business development support and funding for the programme’s success. KIC is a not-for-profit organization that invests and supports young entrepreneurs and small businesses with viable ideas in the agriculture value chain with capacity-building seed funding.

The winners also appreciated the Management of the University, the Technical Team and KIC for the capacity building and seed funding.

We believe that with the support of KIC, KTU will be able to churn out more start-ups in the Agric space to reduce youth employment.