The Director of the Nkabom MasterCard-McGill Collaborative, Mr. Pierre Brunache Jr., has commended the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanaya, Eastern Region collaborative team for an impressive Quarter One report of the Nkabom Project. He particularly praised the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Lead for providing a clear and concise analysis of project progress and key indicators, describing it as a model that will be used to benchmark efforts by other collaborating institutions.
Mr. Brunache made these remarks during a review meeting with the UESD project team, which included the Principal Investigator (PI), Project Coordinator, Project Administrator, and thematic leads. The meeting, moderated by the Registrar of the University, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong who also serves as the Project Administrator, aimed to evaluate activities from March to May 2025, assess the alignment of UESD’s infrastructure with the project work plan, and establish a framework for regular knowledge exchange among partners.
Mr. Brunache observed that the UESD team is making commendable progress and emphasised that, by maintaining focus and commitment to the work plan, they can achieve significant and sustainable impact. He warned, however, that a lukewarm attitude or lack of consistency could derail the project’s overall success.
He reiterated that the Nkabom Project is an international development initiative with the overarching goal of creating dignified employment opportunities for youth and women. He informed the team about several high-profile events scheduled between August and November 2025, where the project’s progress will be showcased to stakeholders, funders, and the public. In light of this, he requested a Logical Framework (LogFrame) training for all collaborative partners to ensure coherence, accountability, and unified reporting standards.
In his project briefing, the Project Coordinator and, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edward Wiafe Debrah recounted key milestones following the official project launch at Peduase in the Eastern Region. He noted that UESD held a two-day inception meeting from April 27th to 29th, resulting in the development of a detailed Logical Framework that guides all activities. The project spans five thematic domains, each with defined targets and deliverables.
Prof. Wiafe Debrah reported that the team has successfully completed baseline data collection and is currently finalising the report. Under the Education and Capacity Building pillar, UESD is developing both degree and non-degree programmes—some at tertiary and others at sub-tertiary levels. These are at advanced stages, pending stakeholder engagement and validation.
Regarding Access and Awareness, the Project Coordinator noted that the team has begun sensitisation efforts in macro-communities, churches, and constituency-based groups to introduce the project and its benefits. Under Entrepreneurship Development, 15 out of 18 planned short courses have already been developed. These curricula are being designed to bridge skills gaps and meet market needs—ensuring that graduates are job-ready or can create their own employment.
He added that plans are underway to partner with local incubators to establish SME development hubs. The team has also proposed internship opportunities and is strengthening its engagement with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to connect project outputs with industry demands.
The Project Coordinator also highlighted the essential role of the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, who uses the Logical Framework tool to track progress and ensure compliance with project goals.
During the meeting, the various thematic leads, including those in Research, Agro-Waste Management, Aquaculture, Entrepreneurship, and Monitoring and Evaluation,gave updates on their respective components. The Director of the Secretariat provided feedback and gave technical guidance on areas requiring improvement or realignment.
The Vice-Chancellor of UESD and Principal Investigator of the project, Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson, reaffirmed UESD’s commitment to the Nkabom Collaborative. He expressed satisfaction with the passion and dedication of team members and stated his belief that UESD will meet its project targets.
He underscored the value of the University’s engagement with traditional authorities, noting their support and recognition of the project’s relevance. Prof. Nyarko-Sampson stressed the need for stronger networking among the various collaborating institutions and called for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise roles and ensure accountability across all partners.
Reflecting on the recent fieldwork during the enumeration exercise, he noted that the team visited farms, fish ponds, laboratories, and clinics, an experience he described as eye-opening. These visits provided firsthand insight into how industry can be integrated into project activities and how real-world challenges can inform academic and development solutions.
In his concluding remarks, he stated: “This meeting has been an eye-opener for all of us. Everyone now understands their role in the project. If we each stay focused and play our part diligently, success is inevitable. We now know how to navigate the process and we are committed to working within set timelines and operational modalities.”
By: barbara m. yakubu