By Philip Tengzu
Wa, (UW/R), April 14, GNA – The Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) has won the coveted European Union (EU)-funded Ghana Pact for Skills project under the Entrepreneurship Stream to promote green and digital entrepreneurship.
Six universities in Ghana, comprising two non-technical and four technical universities had been selected to implement the project coordinated by the E4Impact Foundation with a focus on green innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship.
The other five universities are the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Professional Studies, Cape Coast Technical University, Takoradi Technical University, and the Ho Technical University.
The EU-Ghana Pact for Skills initiative sought to empower students through training, incubation, and business acceleration in green and digital entrepreneurship to equip them with practical entrepreneurial skills and facilitate their transition into employment.
A statement from the SDD-UBIDS copied the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa indicated that the project had positioned the University as a key driver of green and digital entrepreneurship acceleration and incubation programmes in Ghana for the next three years.
“Our university’s inclusion in this elite cohort is not just an achievement, it’s a testament to our rising prominence as a hub of innovation, strategic direction, and community-centred development in Northern Ghana”, the statement said.
A total of 13 universities – nine technical and four non-technical universities – submitted competitive applications for the project, including strategic plans, digital infrastructure portfolios, faculty profiles, and evidence of entrepreneurial readiness.
All 13 competing universities went through a rigorous two-phase selection process – online application review and field visits to assess and confirm the selection of shortlisted universities.
The SDD-UBIDS emerged as the only university in northern Ghana to have been selected for the project after it garnered a score of 68 per cent during the field validation.
The statement said the SDD-UBIDS’ success in the project application was driven by its strong strategic vision on entrepreneurship, green and digital initiatives coupled with its robust physical and digital infrastructure, including its growing Information Communication Technology ecosystem and proven record of community engagement in northern Ghana.
Professor Frederick Dayour, the Director of Research at the SDD-UBIDS, said the project was not just a win for SDD-UBIDS, but for the entire Upper West Region.
“It’s a celebration of innovation, resilience, and the transformative power of education in rural and underserved regions,” he added.
The statement said through the University’s collaboration with the E4Impact Foundation, it would roll out tailored programmes focused on sustainable digital business development.
Those initiatives would include entrepreneurship training, access to incubation and acceleration services, and enhanced skills development designed to boost employability and job creation.
The management of the SDD-UBIDS expressed appreciation to the selection committee, chaired by Fabio Petroni for recognising the University’s capacity and commitment to advancing youth entrepreneurship in Ghana.
GNA
CAE/KOA