Empowering All with Innovation: President of NiBS University

-

The Call for Innovation in Ghana

Professor Kwaku Atuahene-Gima, President and Founder of NiBS University, has urged members of the Certified Innovation Professionals Association (CIPA) to increase their efforts in promoting innovation across Ghana and beyond. He emphasized that without innovation, Ghana and the continent as a whole would struggle to make meaningful progress, especially in an era of rapid global change.

This call to action was made during the CIPA Innovation Forum 2025, which focused on the theme “Sustainability through Innovation: Building Resilient Systems for Tomorrow.” The event also recognized 12 graduating students from the fifth cohort of the Certified Innovations Professionals program.

The Vision Behind the CIP Program

Prof Atuahene-Gima explained that his motivation for establishing the CIP program years ago was to create a community of innovators who could engage, learn, and collaborate on practical solutions. He stressed that no country can prosper without innovation, a principle that Ghana must take seriously.

He noted that while many nations, particularly in Asia, are firmly committed to innovation, African countries often misunderstand the concept. Prof Atuahene-Gima emphasized that innovation is not limited to breakthrough technologies but includes any product or process that solves a problem for a specific group.

Embracing Existing Technologies

The professor urged Africans to begin thinking differently by using existing technologies to address local challenges rather than waiting for entirely new inventions. He highlighted that there are so many problems that can be solved with what already exists, without spending huge amounts on developing new technologies.

Dr. Richard Ampofo Boadu, President of CIPA, underscored the need for Ghana to build an environment that actively supports creativity and innovation. He pointed out that innovators continue to face cultural and systemic barriers that limit progress. According to Dr. Boadu, innovation is a journey that begins with mindset, evolves through creativity, and culminates in practical solutions.

Overcoming Barriers to Innovation

Dr. Boadu explained that many potential innovators in Ghana struggle to overcome fear, uncertainty, and risk because the broader national environment does not sufficiently encourage experimentation or protect innovation efforts. He noted that CIPA was established to help address these gaps by bringing together professionals from diverse backgrounds to learn, collaborate, and explore ways innovation could improve processes across sectors.

The President of CIPA mentioned that the association serves as a resource pool for organizations seeking fresh ideas, technological solutions, or new approaches to problem-solving. He highlighted that socio-cultural norms remain major obstacles to Ghana’s development, pointing out that inherited beliefs and attitudes sometimes restrict who is seen as capable of innovating.

A Holistic Approach to Innovation

Dr. Boadu urged Ghanaians to embrace self-awareness, challenge limiting norms, and develop the mindset needed to create solutions at all levels of society. He emphasized that innovation is not limited to technology or corporate settings but is a way of life that should reflect in families, workplaces, schools, and communities.

By fostering a culture of innovation, Ghana can unlock its full potential and contribute meaningfully to the global landscape. The CIPA Innovation Forum 2025 serves as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and inspiration, highlighting the importance of innovation in building resilient systems for the future.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Japan Firms Leverage Satellites and AI to Locate Abandoned Homes for Sale

-
Image
The Rise of AI-Powered Real Estate Discovery in Japan In Tokyo, a growing number of Japanese companies are leveraging satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to identify abandoned houses that could be repurposed or sold. This innovative approach is becoming increasingly vital as the country faces a rising number of deserted properties due to its aging population. Where Inc., a startup, offers a service that uses AI trained on tens of thousands of images to detect signs of aging roofs, such as rust and discoloration. These findings are then overlaid on satellite maps, helping users spot properties that may have been left unattended. One of Where Inc.'s users, Kotaro Yasue, recently discovered a two-story wooden house through this service. He was able to contact the owner via a real estate registry. It turned out that the house had been neglected for over a decade, and the owner was unsure how to proceed with its disposal. Yasue, who runs a house rental service company in G...
Read more

GEN Nigeria and Others Target Indigenous Firms with New Tech Fees

-
Image
Empowering Nigerian Entrepreneurs with AI Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN Nigeria), in collaboration with Fidelity Bank Plc and other organizations, has called on young entrepreneurs in Nigeria to embrace new technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in their business operations. This initiative was highlighted during the Youth Entrepreneurship Dialogue, titled “Building the Future with AI: Technology, Talent, and Transformation Entrepreneurship,” which took place at the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in Lagos. Dr. Olawale Anifowose, the Managing Director of GEN Nigeria, emphasized that AI has become essential for local enterprises in Nigeria to boost productivity, drive innovation, and enhance competitiveness. According to Anifowose, this can be achieved by automating tasks, personalizing customer experiences through data analysis, and enabling entrepreneurs to develop and scale new products and services more efficiently. Enhancing Efficiency and Produc...
Read more

I Was Healthy Until a Dirty Habit Stopped My Heart

-
Image
A Rare Case of Cannabis-Induced Cardiac Arrest in a Young, Healthy Woman A 26-year-old woman from Georgia experienced a life-threatening cardiac arrest after smoking marijuana. The incident occurred when her fiancé discovered her unconscious on the bathroom floor, prompting immediate emergency medical intervention. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors confirmed that she had suffered a cardiac arrest, where the heart suddenly stopped beating. The woman had no known pre-existing health conditions and tested negative for heart-related issues such as arrhythmia. However, she was found to have high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for the "high" sensation. Doctors diagnosed her with ventricular fibrillation, a severe heart rhythm disorder that prevents the heart from effectively pumping blood and oxygen throughout the body. This led to what they described as a "cannabis-induced cardiac arrest." This case has rais...
Read more