By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), July 12, GNA – Ecofert Ghana Ltd, producers of organic fertiliser and biogas from agricultural waste, has been crowned overall winner of the 2025 HTU‑CIMG/GOIL Entrepreneurial Marketing and Innovation Awards.
The sixth edition of the competition, held on Thursday, July 10, at Ho Technical University (HTU), featured seven finalist teams.
Ecowrap and Nature Tex placed second and third respectively.
In his remarks, HTU Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Ben Honyenuga urged all teams to use the judges’ feedback to refine their business concepts.
“A placement outside the top three does not mean your idea is bad; perhaps it just needs sharper communication or clearer execution. HTU’s new Innovation Hub – backed by a US $20,000 start‑up fund – is open to every team here. Use it, improve, and come back stronger.”
He stressed that prize money was strictly for business growth and would be disbursed under tight accountability rules.
Ms Priscilla Menka, Marketing Manager of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG), said the awards address Ghana’s graduate unemployment challenge by turning young innovators into job creators.
“Marketing is more than a function – it is a force for innovation and sustainable development. By supporting technical universities like HTU, we equip our youth to build businesses that create jobs, protect the environment and drive profit.”
She called for more partners to scale the programme beyond the current three prize‑winners.
Awards Fund Committee Chair Prof. Emmanuel Letsyo revealed that 104 teams submitted ideas this year – double last year’s number and the highest since the awards began in 2019.
After training and coaching, 25 teams were shortlisted and, ultimately, seven pitched for the top spots.
Ecofert team lead Owen Gbevoadi said the GH¢20,000 prize will expand production to meet rising demand.
“Business is never just the idea – execution is hard. This funding will boost our capacity so we can serve customers even better. To our sponsors: we promise a solid return on your investment.”
Ecowrap took home GH¢15,000, while Nature Tex received GH¢10,000.
The HTU‑CIMG/GOIL awards continue to position Ghanaian tertiary students as innovators, offering them funding, coaching and a launch‑pad to compete nationally and internationally.
GNA
Edited By: Maxwell Awumah/Christian Akorlie