Omanghana
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has urged researchers, innovators and academic institutions to focus technological development on solving practical problems affecting communities.
She cautioned against pursuing technological innovation merely for its novelty, academic recognition or public applause, stressing that research must produce measurable benefits for society.
Prof. Amfo made the call in Accra during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Ghana and MTN Ghana for the Tekyerema Pa AI Hackathon ’26.
According to her, meaningful innovation should begin with identifying urgent challenges confronting communities before applying research and technology to address them.
She explained that academic knowledge becomes more valuable when it is transformed into practical tools that improve people’s lives, strengthen institutions and support national development.
Prof. Amfo also emphasised the importance of closer collaboration between universities and industry. She noted that partnerships with commercial organisations, including telecommunications companies, provide students and researchers with the resources, expertise and testing environments needed to move ideas from laboratories into real-world use.
She further called for greater knowledge-sharing among universities, private companies and other stakeholders to ensure that research outcomes are converted into deployable solutions.
The partnership between MTN Ghana and the University of Ghana will support the development of local artificial intelligence talent, facilitate targeted research and provide industry-led masterclasses for participating students.
Through the university’s Human-Computer Interaction Lab, participants in the Tekyerema Pa AI Hackathon ’26 will develop AI-based prototypes designed to address Ghana’s economic and social challenges.
The programme will also offer awards to outstanding projects. Special categories have been created for female-led technology initiatives as part of efforts to promote greater gender inclusion within Ghana’s digital ecosystem.
Prof. Amfo maintained that emerging technologies should remain connected to the public good and respond directly to the needs of ordinary citizens.
She expressed confidence that sustained cooperation between academia and industry could create a stronger innovation system capable of delivering practical solutions to Ghana’s development challenges.
Source: Omanghana
