The Keynote speaker at the launch of the UESD Innovation and Incubation Hub, Professor George Acheampong, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Ghana, has challenged Universities and policymakers to rethink entrepreneurship development by focusing on building strong innovation ecosystems rather than concentrating solely on individual talent.
Speaking on the theme, “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Potential Through Innovation: From Entrepreneurial Talent to Productive Enterprise Ecosystems,” Prof. Acheampong noted that entrepreneurial talent is abundant among young people, but many promising ventures fail because they lack the support systems needed to thrive.
Drawing on his experience working with UESD through a British Council-funded initiative, he recounted how what began as a modest intervention had evolved into a platform that has produced award-winning student entrepreneurs and innovative ventures with national and international recognition.
“The lesson is simple: talent was never the problem,” he stated. “Across Africa, millions of people have ideas and ambition, yet very few build sustainable enterprises. Entrepreneurship is not merely an individual act of willpower; it is a systemic outcome shaped by the ecosystem surrounding the entrepreneur.”
He said, innovation plays a critical role in transforming knowledge into value, converting societal challenges into opportunities, and developing students into creators rather than job seekers.
He explained that pressing issues such as climate change, environmental degradation, waste management, food insecurity, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture should not only be viewed as development challenges but also as major entrepreneurial opportunities capable of generating employment and economic growth.
Prof. Acheampong observed that UESD is uniquely positioned to lead in these emerging sectors because its academic programmes and research focus align closely with the future green economy.
“The future economy will be built around climate adaptation, renewable energy, circular economy solutions, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, green infrastructure, and environmental technologies. These are precisely the areas where UESD already possesses intellectual capital,” he said.
He further argued that the success of entrepreneurship initiatives depends on what he described as “ecosystem architecture”—the structures, partnerships, resources, and support systems that enable innovative ideas to develop into sustainable enterprises.
The entrepreneurship scholar called on UESD to deliberately build an innovation ecosystem where students graduate with innovation capabilities, faculty members embrace research commercialisation, and community challenges become opportunities for venture creation.
To achieve this vision, Prof. Achaempong proposed five key actions: integrating innovation across all academic programmes, creating clear pathways from classroom ideas to market-ready businesses, incentivising research commercialisation, strengthening partnerships with industry and development organisations, and adopting a long-term ecosystem approach to entrepreneurship development.
He noted that the numerous awards won by UESD student entrepreneurs in recent years were evidence of what could be achieved when entrepreneurial potential is intentionally nurtured and supported.
The event was attended by members of the University’s Management, Heads of Departments and Units, students, representatives of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), the Yilo Krobo Municipal Directorate of Education, Wilmar Africa Limited, and other stakeholders committed to innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
Prof. Acheampong was presented with a citation by the Innovation Hub in recognition of his invaluable contributions to its growth and development.