Accra: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Ghana (UG) to promote youth empowerment through innovation, digital skills, and entrepreneurship.

According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative, known as the ‘University Innovation Pod (UniPod),’ will establish a digital innovation centre to train youth in five key areas: Agritech, Fintech, Retailtech, Health, and Edutech, enabling them to create and develop tools and applications.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor, UG, said that the project aligned with the university’s five strategic priorities, including transformative student experiences and impactful research. She stated that UG’s commitment to digital innovation led to the creation of a research, innovation, and development directorate focused on making innovation a reality. She added that the directorate was passionate about youth development and had implemented student venture support programmes over the years. Prof. Amfo welcomed UNDP’s support, describing it as timely.

Prof. Amfo expressed her belief that the UNDP’s involvement would empower the youth in the country and beyond by enhancing their digital skills. She highlighted that the UniPod would benefit not only UG students but also those from other institutions nationwide, with government involvement through the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation.

Madam Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, noted that technological knowledge was crucial for countries to withstand global disruptions. She emphasized that Africa’s path to industrialization depends on bridging the gap between academia and industry. She also criticized the insufficient investment in universities to support these connections, pointing to the successful partnership between Stanford University and Silicon Valley in the U.S. as a model.

Madam Eziakonwa pointed out that academia-industry collaboration was not new to Africa, referencing Sankore University and past innovations in Timbuktu, Mali. She expressed optimism about UG and the government’s efforts to establish UniPod, praising the political will demonstrated in advancing the initiative as a critical factor in national development.