A state-of-the-art innovation enclave and makerspace has been launched at the University of Ghana. The UG Innovation Enclave and Makerspace is an ultra-modern workspace built through engagement and partnership to provide a transformative student experience.
The facility is an initiative of the Research and Innovation Directorate (RID) under the leadership of Professor Felix A. Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Innovation and Development), in partnership with Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC), Imperial College-London, and KGL Foundation. The launch took place on Friday, 19th December 2025, at the premises of the Makerspace (opposite the School of Engineering).
Present at the event was the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, accompanied by Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs), Mrs Emelia Agyei Mensah, Registrar, and other senior officials of the University. Also present were project partners represented by Mr. Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, the Executive Director of the Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC), Diplomats from the French Embassy, representatives from Impact Hub, Accra, Imperial College, London, Innovate Labs and the media.
Delivering the welcome address, Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, Director (RID), highlighted UG’s leading role in harnessing an innovative ecosystem that links academia with industry. He underscored the importance of transitioning from isolation into partnerships and exploring new areas. He cited other innovation hubs interconnected with RID, including the Enterprise Hub for Agricultural Innovation (KAEHAI), the UGBS Innovation and Incubation Hub, the Postharvest Innovation Hub (PI Hub), among others, which offered immense benefits to students. In terms of capacity and economic development, collaborative initiatives had the potential to become launch pads for market-ready opportunities, he noted. Prof. Dodoo-Arhin reiterated RID’s commitment to promoting innovation at UG in line with strategic objectives. He acknowledged the role of Prof. Felix A. Asante in advancing UG’s partnerships and thanked KIC, the French Embassy, KGL Foundation and all other collaborators for their support.
Prof. Felix Asante expressed profound gratitude that the long-anticipated establishment of a UG innovation hub and makerspace had come to fruition. He highlighted the importance of a 21st Century workshop, equipped with digital tools, including robotics and safety apparatus. Tracing the genesis of the project to 2022, he noted the support of several partners, in various iterations of the capacity building journey which formed the building blocks for the consolidation of innovation at UG. He highlighted the positive outcomes of the Student Venture Support Programme (SVSP), which nurtures talented students with creative ideas to develop entrepreneurship skills and establish commercial entities.
Prof. Asante paid tribute to his predecessors, who laid solid foundations in research and innovation. He acknowledged the relentless enthusiasm of the RID Innovation team and the administrators in his office who had navigated the often fraught journey to a remarkable conclusion.
He charged students, faculty, and inventors to take advantage of the opportunities that the facility offers and allow the success of its establishment to inspire them and shape their future endeavours. In conclusion, he thanked all partners for their commitment and invaluable contributions.
Mr Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, spoke about the commitment of Kosmos Energy to give back to society through the Kosmos Innovation Centre, which contributed more than GHc1,000,000.00 to develop youth capacity to lead innovation and drive technology alongside the Mastercard Foundation. He urged UG's senior management to consider a special pathway for students to combine commercialization activities and academic work to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive.
Ahead of the official commissioning, Prof. Appiah Amfo noted the significance of the event, observing how the power of a sustained partnership had resulted in establishing the UG Innovation Enclave and Makerspace. She stated that ‘dreams cannot be achieved if we walk alone’, emphasizing that with the appropriate support and mentorship, students can achieve a lot.
The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the leadership of Prof. Felix Asante in achieving this milestone and praised the tireless pursuits of the Innovation team at RID. She expressed her sincere gratitude to all partners who had maintained strong relations and trusted the University of Ghana on this long journey.
The UG Innovation Enclave and Makerspace complements several other novel initiatives, by faculty and students across colleges in fulfilment of the University’s strategic goals.
The programme ended with a tour of the innovation enclave and makerspace facility.