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 Heartfelt Philanthropy Network and fellows of Elevate Africa Fellowship have visited the Street Academy in Accra to support its efforts to improve the welfare and development of children.
The visit formed part of efforts by the organisations to give back to the community and promote opportunities for children through education, healthcare and other social support programmes.
Ms Yvonne Abba-Opoku, Founder and Director of the Heartfelt Philanthropy Network, said the organisation had supported the Street Academy since 2019 because of its commitment to serving vulnerable children. Read More.
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Buy Maps
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Alberta Afia Asomaniwa Akoto, popularly known as “Landlady,” has declared her intention to contest as the Parliamentary Candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Okaikwei North Constituency.
In a statement shared on Friday, Ms. Akoto said Okaikwei North has been her home for more than 40 years, where she has lived among the people, shared in their joys and challenges, and built lasting connections with the community.
“I am in the race because I believe our community deserves dedicated service, a listening ear and a strong voice. I am ready to work with you, listen to your concerns and help build a brighter future for Okaikwei North,” she said.
“Dear Okaikwei North, your girl is here one of your own, ready to serve,” she added.
Ms. Akoto said service is not just a responsibility but a commitment to the people and the community they call home.
Having dedicated herself to serving and supporting the people of the constituency, she said she wishes to continue the journey of service with renewed commitment, greater dedication and a stronger vision.
Her vision, she noted, is to build on the progress made, listen to the concerns of the people, empower the youth, support women, create opportunities and champion development that benefits every community in the constituency.
“I believe that together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous and inclusive Okaikwei North,” she added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
