MESTI Holds Creativity and Innovation Workshop to Build Innovation Ecosystems

The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel, organized a one-day creativity and innovation workshop targeted at institutional heads and the start-up ecosystem.

The workshop aimed to enhance the innovation and creativity of Ghanaian start-ups.

The workshop, held in celebration of the World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID), was themed, ‘Israel-Ghana Innovation Ecosystems – How do we stimulate a strong innovation subculture in an emerging economy?’

Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Minister of MESTI, said creativity and innovation were critical in developing the country and that the ministry planned to launch a strategic plan to enhance and promote tech start-ups in the country.

Mr Oliver Boachie, Special Advisor to the Minister (MESTI), spoke about MESTI’s plan to launch the Ghana Innovation and Research Commercialisation Centre (GIRC) which would strengthen the innovation eco-system in Ghana and facilitate research and innovation.

He further noted that the centre would establish strategic technology centres (STCS) to provide training and capacity building for start-ups and entrepreneurs all over the country.

The workshop was led by Mr Oren Simanian, an Israeli tycoon, pioneer and sports tech leader.

He spoke about Israel using start-up communities’ innovation, creativity and technology to develop each sector of the economy and how Ghana should create start-up communities to nurture start-ups and assist them in their growth.

The Ambassador of Israel to Ghana, Madam Shani Cooper, in her remarks said Ghana stands to benefit from Israel’s innovative, entrepreneurial drive and achievements which could help grow the innovative eco-system in Ghana.

She hoped that all participants at the workshop would work in collaboration with the government to boost innovation and creativity in the country.

Zuviel Joshua Naazie