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.

Koforidua Technical University had the distinct honor of hosting Ambassador Daniel Krull, the German Ambassador to Ghana, on his familiarization visit.

During his stay, Ambassador Krull engaged in fruitful discussions on potential collaborations with Vice Chancellor Prof. John Owusu and his team.

He also toured the campus and its laboratories, marking a significant step towards strengthening ties and enhancing our academic and research endeavors.

Mock Examination Timetable For Non-HND And Pre-HND Programmes, 2023-2024 Academic Year

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KIC and Mastercard Foundation have announced the call for applications for the 2024 AgriTech Challenge classic program. Nominations are open from March 18^th till April 19^th, 2024. The program is being organised in collaboration with 16 participating universities across the country, to train and coach students on entrepreneurship within the agribusiness sector.

The AgriTech Challenge Classic is a 7-month annual training program aimed at developing the interest and building the mindset of students and young graduates to ultimately drive systemic change in Ghana’s agriculture sector. It provides the youth with the right exposure to the agriculture value chain, and networking opportunities to build and grow viable solutions to Ghana’s key agricultural challenges. This programme is part of a wider partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Since commencing in 2016, more than 3,500 young people have received coaching, training and mentorship.

This year’s application window is beginning with awareness creation of the opportunities within the agribusiness sector and introducing young people to the agricultural value chain. Special events for young women, dubbed the Women’s Bootcamp will also be organised to encourage more young women to venture into agribusiness.

Sixteen (16) universities across the country are participating in this year’s competition. This comprises 10 universities, already on the program namely; the University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Cape Coast (UCC), Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU), Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Ho Technical University (HTU), Koforidua Technical University (KTU), University of Development Studies (UDS), SD Dombo University of Business &  Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), and University of Energy and Natural Resource (UENR).

An additional 6 universities will also be participating for the first time this year. These are CK Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences; Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development; Damongo Agricultural College; Kwadaso Agricultural College; Ejura Agricultural College & Mechanization Center and OHAWU Agricultural College. In addition, this year, a new component has been introduced to the program, with a focus on primary agricultural production, to encourage interested young people to go into commercial farming.

Speaking about the impact of the AgriTech Challenge Classic program, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, the Executive Director for KIC said: “At KIC, over the years we have seen business ideas develop and grow through the AgriTech Challenge Classic and progress unto other KIC mentorship programs. KIC is committed to developing young entrepreneurs to transform the agricultural sector in Ghana with innovation and cutting-edge AgriTech. We are looking forward to students taking this opportunity that the AgriTech Challenge Program provides.”

Last year’s AgriTech Challenge was very keenly contested, and we were impressed with the innovations, especially around sustainability, climate action and circular economies. This shows the potential of agriculture to create jobs that impact other industries.

Prof. Samuel Kwofie, the Faculty Advisor for Koforidua Technical University, has been impressed with the quality of the programme over the years in complementing and empowering students from the university’s innovation and incubation hub to develop their business ideas into viable businesses.

“We are looking forward to new innovations and ideas in this year’s competition and call on all eligible students to apply from their regions,” he/she added.

Winners from the AgriTech Challenge classic competition will go on to join the Agri Tech Challenge Pro, an accelerator program aiming to support young entrepreneurs to launch and grow commercially viable, scalable solutions to key problems in the agricultural sector. The program aims to drive technology and innovation as a catalyst to enhancing productivity, improving yields, and creating more jobs within Ghana’s agricultural sector.

Through the KIC and the Mastercard Foundation partnership, the AgriTech Challenge Classic expects to train young people across the partner universities in the next four years, collaborating with regional academic partners such as universities and technical schools.

Visit the link below to apply

https://bit.ly/2024KICClassicApply

In a bid to enhance the automotive industry in the Eastern Region of Ghana, the Faculty of Engineering (FoE) at Koforidua Technical University (KTU) has forged a substantial collaboration with the Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG). This collaboration falls under the ambit of the Ghana Skills Development Fund (GSDF) project titled “Application for Trade Association Skills Training Support.”

The aim of the project is to ensure that Artisans acquire knowledge and competence in automotive diagnostics toolbox, automobile engine and electrical services, electronic computer and diagnostic system as well as entrepreneur training.

About Thirty-three (33) Artisans were trained which included;

• Capacity development in automobile engine and electrical servicing
• Capacity building in auto electronics and computer diagnostic system
• Training in business management and Entrepreneurship

At the end of the training, Artisans trained are expected to deliver quality car repairs services and acquire knowledge in automotive computer diagnostics

Koforidua Technical University (KTU) has secured a funding worth GH₵1.66 million through an agreement with the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET). This agreement spans twelve months under the Ghana Skills Development Fund (GSDF) project titled “Competency-Based Training Module for Improved Welding Service Delivery in Ghana.”

The aim of the project is to find sustainable solution to the constant job and employment challenges of welders by engaging the unemployed youth, apprentice and individual entrepreneurs for job and wealth creation and as well as upgrade Koforidua Technical University welding unit into a center of excellence for research, teaching and learning.

The training providers for the project are institutions that the University has signed MoU with. These institutions are;

• Philnita Company Limited.
• Gyason Technoengineering Limited also supplies the tools and equipment used at the training.

The first phase of the project is the Competence-Based Training (CBT). This was conducted for KTU facilitators to enhance their competencies to deliver the training module. This was a school-based training (practical). Other institutions which are involved in the project are:

• Ghana National Associations of Garages (Eastern)
• Ghana Institution of Welding.

(First Picture from Left ) Prof. Ing. Richard Arthur – Dean -FoE ( third from right – front row). Next is Mr. Robert Danful – Service provider – Philnita Company Ltd). The others are lecturers and Technicians of the Facutly of Engineering.

(Second Picture from Left). Participants undergoing Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding training.

(Third Picture from Left) Dr. Fehrs Adu Gyamfi – Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering Department cutting metal pipes.