Hot!
The names behind some Ghanaian innovative tech startups
Last week, we focused on young tech prodigy who is helping people appreciate the essence and potential of emerging technologies.
As a sequel to last week’s issue, we stay in the technology space but, this time, the attention is on some Ghanaian startups who have applied innovative technology and built businesses to solve problems in some specific areas. Here is a summary of the six personalities you may or may not know.
Mr. Mathias Charles Yabe
Mathias is the co-founder of AkoFresh, a Green Cold Chain Enterprise that offers farmers practical and affordable preservation services to end post-harvest losses.
He founded the agritech startup in 2018 when a volunteer trip exposed him to the issue of post-harvest losses affecting the people of Akumadan in the Offinso North District of the Ashanti Region.
As a young innovator who grew up in a small farming village, this problem inspired him to design a solar-powered cold storage preservation technology that extends the shelf life of perishable crops from five days to 21 days. The off-grid cold store is available to smallholder farmers as a service where they (farmers) pay a meagre daily or weekly subscription fee.
This innovation has earned him recognition including eight awards for participating in several accelerator programmes.
Ms. Constance Elizabeth Swaniker
Constance Swaniker is a renowned Ghanaian sculptor making strides in the arts and craft sector with global recognition. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Sculpture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi in 1999.
After graduating from KNUST, she established Accents and Art Limited. She is the Founder of Design and Technology Institute (DTI). This institution offers students a practical approach to help them hone their talents in a conducive environment surrounded by instructors who are passionate about art and design.
Having spent 18 years in other countries including, The Gambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, the diversity in her experience has been the dominant factor in how she approaches the “arts” and business.
While a university student, Constance worked as an apprentice carpenter for five years in a joinery company but specialised in metal work and sculpture, graduating with honours in sculpture.
She is the recipient of several awards, and her works can be found in a wide range of upscale homes, offices, and diplomatic missions both home and abroad. Her works have been showcased in solo and group exhibitions in Ghana, Nigeria, France, and Germany.
Mr. MacCarthy Mac-Gbathy Abdullai
MacCarthy is the founder of HOPin Academy. He established the Academy in 2013 to curb rural-urban migration in Northern Ghana and reduce youth unemployment. The man who wants to reduce poverty rate drastically believes that entrepreneurship is the solution.
HOPin engages in educational innovation to ensure that entrepreneurship becomes part of the core subjects within Basic Schools in Ghana. It acts as an innovation hub to provide goal-oriented, practice-oriented learning for young people coupled with technology.
The organisation’s programmes cover entrepreneurship, digital communication, Information Technology, video production, and business consultancy.
The founder is an Executive Board Member and a Communications Director of the Ghana Hubs Network, with over 50 network members in 10 regions. He is part of several Boards globally and since 2013, he has overseen 54 startups.
Mr. Maxwell Deladem Xonu
Maxwell is championing eco-friendliness in Ghana. He has built EBAPreneur, a climate-action enterprise that focuses on promoting positive impacts on climate and helping local farmers combat post-harvest losses.
Founded in 2019, EBAPreneur produces briquettes from wastes such as corn husk, cassava and potato peels, and sawdust. The startup fabricates solar driers from locally sourced materials to help farmers reduce post-harvest losses.
The solar driers create a suitable temperature for drying harvested farm produce faster, such as cassava, without any atmospheric disturbance.
Mr.Jonathan Kennedy Sowah
Jonathan is the founder of InovTech STEM Centre. He is a passionate, innovative, and creative young leader with a track record of establishing successful students and teachers with industry-relevant skills in the STEAM field.
His institution provides students with high-quality, industry-relevant, and sought-after skills and experiences, especially in underserved communities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) through Robotics Education.
InovTech leverages Educational Robots, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Embedded Systems for its notable course. The STEAM Centre aims to be a world leader in providing innovative and creative STEAM programmes that inspire, engage and develop citizens for Africa’s social well-being, economic prosperity, and sustainability.
Since its inception, InovTech has impacted over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers across Ghana.
Mr. Andrew Takyi-Appiah
Andrew is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Zeepay, the fastest-growing fintech company. He is an expert in Banking and Mobile Payments with over 15 years of experience in Banking and Business Development.
He has working experience in more than seven markets, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, and South Africa. He has been part of vital retail deployments across Africa. His company focuses on improving financial inclusion and making the world a better place to live.
Zeepay connects digital assets such as mobile money wallets, cards, ATMs, bank accounts, and digital tokens to International Money Transfer Operators, Subscriptions, International Airtime, among others.
By Spectator Reporter
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
