By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, June 30, GNA – Stakeholders have called for closer collaboration among academia, industry, government and communities to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development in Ghana.
They said stronger partnerships were needed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and labour market demands, while accelerating the commercialisation of research and technology.
The call was made at Lancaster University Ghana’s annual “Brunch with Corporates” event in Accra, where participants from academia, business and government discussed ways to deepen cooperation under the “Quadruple Helix” model of innovation.
Dr Pius Gadosey, Head of the Computer Science Department at Lancaster University Ghana, said countries that invested in stronger collaboration among universities, industry and government were better positioned to develop local talent and support digital transformation.
He said practical education and research partnerships would equip students with skills needed for the digital economy while promoting innovation and technology transfer.
Dr Gloria Sraha, Head of the Business Studies Department, said Ghana needed to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education at an early stage to prepare students for future jobs.
She said weak collaboration among government, academia and communities continued to limit the commercialisation of innovations developed by students despite the country’s intellectual potential.
Dr Sraha said Lancaster University Ghana planned to establish an Entrepreneurship and Incubation Hub to help transform students’ ideas into viable businesses.
“We need to connect these institutions and build on their ideas for national development and innovation should move beyond research papers to commercially viable products and services,” she added.
Mr Charles Osei Owusu, Senior Manager for Fintech Business Development, Commercial and Operations at MobileMoney Fintech Limited, said Artificial Intelligence had become an indispensable tool for business transformation and economic growth.
He said closer collaboration between universities and industry would help address skills gaps and better prepare graduates for changing workplace demands.
Mr Raymond Bidema, Director for Corporate and Legal Affairs at the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), said the Government was developing policies and regulatory frameworks to support the responsible adoption of emerging technologies while encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku