The University for Development Studies (UDS) on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, hosted the official launch of the Private Sector and Innovation Promotion in Ghana (PSInno) programme, a major Ghana-Germany partnership aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable job creation, with particular emphasis on northern Ghana.

The programme, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is being implemented by GIZ in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI). It seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), support youth-led and women-led businesses, and stimulate innovation in the agribusiness and digital sectors.

Held under the theme, “Exhibitor Showcase: Stronger Together,” the launch brought together government officials, development partners, academics, entrepreneurs, students, and private sector actors to discuss practical pathways for inclusive growth and enterprise development.

The Vice-Chancellor of UDS, Prof. Seidu Alhassan, was represented at the ceremony by Prof. Terry Ansah, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences. In his opening remarks, Prof. Ansah commended the organizers for choosing UDS as the host institution and described the initiative as timely and relevant to the development aspirations of northern Ghana.

He said agribusiness remained one of the most promising areas for job creation, especially for young people, and called for stronger collaboration between academia, industry, government, and development partners.

“Partnerships such as this are critical because they provide the platform for skills development, innovation, digital transformation and enterprise growth,” Prof. Ansah said. “As a university committed to development, UDS is proud to be associated with a programme that seeks to empower young people, strengthen businesses, and create sustainable livelihoods.”

Prof. Ansah also highlighted the University’s flagship Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP), noting that it continues to expose students to practical community challenges and opportunities, while equipping them with the mindset and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to national development.

The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, was represented by the Acting Northern Regional Coordinating Director, Mr. Sumaila Ewontomah. He welcomed the initiative and described it as consistent with the development priorities of the Northern Region.

According to him, the Regional Coordinating Council is committed to working with partners to empower young people, expand opportunities for local businesses, and promote inclusive economic growth.

“The Northern Region has enormous potential in agriculture, enterprise and youth innovation,” he said. “This programme offers a practical opportunity to unlock that potential and create meaningful jobs for our people.”

Ms. Cynthia Djokoto, Director of MSME Development, emphasized the importance of MSMEs to Ghana’s economic transformation. She noted that small businesses remained central to employment creation, local production and national competitiveness.

She encouraged entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners to take full advantage of the training, mentorship, networking and market access opportunities provided under the PSInno programme.

“The growth of MSMEs is essential to Ghana’s economic future,” Ms. Djokoto stated. “Through PSInno, entrepreneurs will receive the support they need to build stronger, more competitive and more resilient businesses.”

A key focus of the PSInno programme is the empowerment of youth-led and women-led SMEs, particularly within agribusiness and the digital economy. This focus was brought to life during an inspiring stakeholder session in which Hajia Rafia, a northern Ghanaian woman entrepreneur, shared her story under the title, “I Refused to Quit.”

Her testimony highlighted the resilience, determination and entrepreneurial spirit of women in northern Ghana, and reflected the kind of ambition the programme seeks to nurture and support.

The ceremony also featured creative performances, including a spoken word poetry recital and a dramatic performance by local actors. The drama challenged outdated perceptions that agriculture is reserved for men and demonstrated how modern machinery, advocacy, innovation and technology are making the sector increasingly inclusive and attractive to young women.

By the end of 2028, the PSInno programme is expected to support more than 1,100 companies to improve their competitiveness, facilitate 60 innovations across key digital and agricultural sectors, and create approximately 2,000 jobs, with a significant proportion expected to be generated in northern Ghana.

The German Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Frederik Landshöft, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s development through private sector growth and innovation. He said Germany’s relationship with Ghana is built on partnership, mutual respect and a shared commitment to long-term development.

“Germany does not see itself as a distant donor, but as a committed partner in Ghana’s development journey,” the Ambassador stated. “We believe in the potential of Ghanaian entrepreneurs, especially young people and women, to transform communities and drive sustainable growth.”

H.E. Landshöft also emphasized the importance of taking calculated risks in enterprise, education, health and agriculture, while acknowledging the growing impact of climate change on agricultural productivity.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the official launch of the programme through the cutting of a commemorative cake decorated with the national flags of Ghana and Germany. The cake was cut by the German Ambassador, symbolizing the enduring cooperation between the two countries.

The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with key partners, including Guinness Ghana, further strengthening the collaborative framework needed to achieve the objectives of the programme.

The launch ended with a networking lunch and an exhibition session, where participants experienced what organizers described as “Innovation from the North.” Exhibitors showcased products, services and ideas that reflected the creativity, resilience and enterprise potential of northern Ghana.

As Ghana’s premier development-oriented university, UDS expressed its readiness to continue serving as a strategic partner in initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, innovation, private sector growth and job creation.

Story by:
Osman Najaht
UDS Media