University of Ghana and UNDP Sign Partnership to Launch Innovation Pod and Advance Youth-Led Digital Solutions
From left to right: Mr. Niloy Banerjee (UNDP Ghana Resident Representative), Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa (UN Assistant Secretary-General & UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa Director), Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo (Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana), and Professor Felix Ankomah Asante (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development, University of Ghana
Accra, Ghana – April 23, 2025 – In a forward-looking move to drive youth innovation and digital transformation, the University of Ghana and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have formalized a strategic agreement to establish the first University Innovation Pod (UniPod) at the Digital Youth Village, located on the university campus. The partnership marks a critical step toward promoting youth entrepreneurship, practical research, and technology-led development in Ghana and the wider African region.
The newly planned UniPod will function as a state-of-the-art creative and technical space where students and young professionals can develop, test, and scale up solutions to pressing national and global challenges. The Pod will be hosted within the Digital Youth Village—a government-backed initiative to position the University of Ghana as a national centre for innovation and digital excellence.
This initiative reflects a shared ambition to harness youth creativity, equip them with future-ready skills, and accelerate Ghana’s transition to a digitally inclusive economy.
Remarks from Key Stakeholders
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration: “Partnering with UNDP on the UniPod initiative is aligned with our institutional vision to be a hub of impactful research and innovation. We are excited to empower our students and researchers to transform innovative ideas into real-world solutions that support Ghana’s development.”
Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, added: “The UniPod is a significant investment in the innovation capacity of Ghana’s youth. Through this partnership, we are laying the foundation for a platform that nurtures creativity, digital skills, and scalable impact. This is the essence of the Timbuktoo vision—empowering young Africans to lead transformation in their communities and beyond.”
Key Focus Areas of the UniPod The partnership is structured around three main pillars:
- Innovation and Product Development
The UniPod will support end-to-end innovation—from concept design to product launch—by providing tools, mentoring, and a collaborative space for prototyping and scaling. - Digital Skills Development
Through cutting-edge training in areas such as coding, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and software engineering, the UniPod will prepare students for careers in the digital economy.
Industry-Academic Collaboration
By fostering cross-sector collaboration, the UniPod aims to bridge academic research with real-world industry needs to generate commercially viable solutions.
An Anchor for the Timbuktoo Initiative
The launch of the UniPod forms part of UNDP’s larger Timbuktoo initiative, which seeks to strengthen African innovation ecosystems by supporting tech-enabled solutions across key development sectors.
Mr. Niloy Banerjee, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, highlighted: “This initiative is a testament to what is possible when universities and development institutions come together. The UniPod will not only build the skills of our youth but also position them to lead Africa’s digital future.”
The collaboration complements national efforts such as the One Million Coders program, aimed at enhancing digital skills and job opportunities for young people across Ghana. To ensure smooth implementation, the University of Ghana and UNDP will establish a joint working group to co-develop the Pod’s operational plan and ensure it aligns with the university’s long-term innovation strategy.