The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, Eastern Region, has officially launched its Innovation and Incubation Hub, marking a significant step in the University’s efforts to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable enterprise development among students and young people.
The launch, held at the Auditorium, Multipurpose Building, brought together members of the University community, development partners, industry stakeholders, and entrepreneurship advocates to celebrate the establishment of a platform aimed at nurturing innovative ideas into viable businesses. There were also representatives from 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.
In her welcome address, the Registrar of UESD, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong, described the launch of the Innovation and Incubation Hub as a significant milestone in the University’s quest to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical problem-solving among students. She noted that the Hub would provide a platform to nurture creative ideas, support young innovators, and equip them with the skills and resources needed to develop sustainable enterprises. Mrs. Agyepong expressed optimism that the initiative would strengthen the University’s contribution to national development while empowering students to become job creators rather than job seekers.
The Hub Coordinator, Dr. Kwaku Adu of the Department of Applied Economics, recounted the beginnings of the hub, which started more than a year ago. It was established to bridge the gap between the classroom and the marketplace by providing mentorship, technical support, networking opportunities, and incubation services for student innovators. “Our campus is overflowing with creative talent. Many students have brilliant ideas and entrepreneurial ambitions, but often lack the structured support needed to transform those ideas into successful enterprises. The Hub was created to become that missing link,” he said.
Dr. Adu noted that under the theme “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Potential through Innovation” and the tagline “Turning Ideas into Enterprises,” the Hub has already achieved remarkable success through strategic partnerships and participation in national and international entrepreneurship programmes.
He highlighted initiatives such as the Enterprise Support and Incubation Curriculum Development (ESICD) Programme, the THINK Graduate Employment and Entrepreneurship Support Project, Digital Freelance Training, the United Nations Development Programme’s Young Africa Innovates initiative, and the Adwumawura Programme under the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP).
These interventions, he explained, have provided UESD students with opportunities for business training, venture development, pitching competitions, and access to potential funding.
Among the Hub’s notable achievements is the success of student-led ventures at the ESICD National Pitch Event held at the University of Education, Winneba, where Eastside Industries Ghana won the overall prize of 15 thousand cedis with its sustainable mango purée business, while MED AquaFeed emerged first runner-up and received GH¢10,000.
Most recently, Eastside Sankofa Industries, a venture incubated through the Hub, won the prestigious Nkabom Africa Case Competition, securing a prize of 10,000 Canadian dollars.Dr. Adu revealed that the Hub currently supports ten active ventures and over 100 student innovators working in areas including sustainable agriculture, food systems, aquaculture, waste management, biomass energy, logistics, and circular economy innovations. He expressed appreciation to the Hub’s development partners, including the British Council, THINK Network Ghana, UGBS Nest, International Trade Centre, UNDP, Mastercard Foundation partners, NEIP, and the University of Ghana’s Africa Climate Collaborative, for their continuous support.
Delivering his remarks as Chairman of the event, the Vice-Chancellor of UESD, Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson, described the launch as a defining moment in the University’s history. He noted that the Hub aligns perfectly with UESD’s mandate of promoting environmental sustainability and national development through innovative solutions.
“The world our graduates are entering is changing rapidly. Challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, graduate unemployment, waste management, and pressure on natural resources require new ways of thinking. It is no longer enough for graduates to seek jobs; they must be equipped to create opportunities for themselves and others,” he said.
Professor Nyarko-Sampson explained that the Hub seeks to develop innovative, entrepreneurial, and sustainability-conscious graduates who can transform ideas into practical solutions and enterprises that contribute to national development.
He said, although the Hub is yet to have a dedicated physical facility, it impact is already being felt through the achievements of its student innovators.”A Hub is not defined by walls and furniture but by the impact it creates and the minds it shapes. Our students have already demonstrated their ability to compete and excel on national and continental stages. The physical infrastructure will follow, but the innovation ecosystem is already thriving,” he stated.
The Vice-Chancellor called on the students to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Hub, while urging faculty, industry players, development agencies, and financial institutions to support the initiative through mentorship, partnerships, and investment.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor George Acheampong, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Ghana and Executive Secretary of the THINK Network, who spoke on: “Unlocking Entrepreneurial Potential Through Innovation.”
Ten student innovators were given the opportunity to showcase their products and entrepreneurial activities, including members of Eastside Sankofa Industries, winners of the 2026 Africa Case Competition. They were presented with certificates and T-shirts.
The ceremony concluded with the official launch of the Innovation Hub and a cake-cutting ceremony to commemorate the occasion.