Ashesi University College, in partnership with the World Bank Group, the governments of Denmark and the Netherlands, and Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), inaugurated theGhana Climate Innovation Center (GCIC) at Ashesi’s campus today. (Read more about the inauguration here.)
The technology hub is geared to help over 100 local clean technology businesses grow and commercialize innovative solutions to climate change. Guests at the event included the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President of Ghana, Hon. Julius Debrah, H.E John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of Ghana, H.E Tove Degnbol, Danish Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Hans Docter, Dutch Ambassador to Ghana, and H.E Henry Kerali, World Bank Country Director for Ghana.
The first of its kind in the country, the center will support Ghana’s National Climate Change Policy over the next ten years by contributing to the production of clean tech solutions, which will ultimately help more than 300,000 Ghanaians increase their resilience to climate change.
Here is a recap of the conversation at the ceremony, in quotes.
“Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our times. Now more than ever, we need to make a concerted effort to tackle this issue. Success will depend on solid collaboration, within and between our organisations, and across geographic boundaries.”
— Patrick Awuah, President, Ashesi University College
“I believe that all the partners involved will make sure that this does not become a nine-day wonder. We shouldn’t just have a beautiful opening and that’s it; I will be very happy to be here one day to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the center, and hear about how best you’ve been able to impact our colleagues in West Africa.”
— Hon. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Ghana