The UK government has announced up to £1.9 million in funding to bolster science, technology, and innovation in Ghana and Nigeria through its West Africa Research and Innovation Hub.
This initiative called the Sankore call for proposals, will facilitate collaboration between the UK and the governments of Ghana and Nigeria, with a focus on commercialising innovative solutions, enhancing innovation policy, and improving government digital services.
Named after a renowned medieval centre of learning in West Africa, Sankore will support the UK-Ghana Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) Strategy, fostering partnerships between universities, research centres, and the private sector to transform ideas into practical products for industry. It will also support projects aligned with Ghana’s technological objectives.
At the official launch in Accra, UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, emphasised the importance of partnerships in fostering global technology growth.
“This initiative is about working together to strengthen the global technology sector, creating opportunities for rapidly growing economies with great potential to compete globally. The Sankore grant embodies the message that collaboration leads to greater success,” he said.
Ophelia Mensah Hayford, Ghana’s Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, highlighted Sankore as a key tool in advancing the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy, bridging the funding gap for technological innovation.
“We are pleased to partner with key players in the innovation ecosystem to drive Ghana’s economic transformation through ST&I,” she stated.
British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to science, technology, and innovation partnerships with African countries, noting that Sankore would further strengthen existing collaborations.
“This grant will reinforce our joint UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy,” she added.
Qualified organisations and partners are invited to submit proposals via the International Development Funding portal on GOV.UK by 25th October 2024, 12 PM West Africa Time (WAT).
This initiative forms part of the UK-Africa Technology and Innovation Partnerships (UK-ATIP) Programme, which aims to strengthen research and innovation systems in Ghana and Nigeria. The UK and Ghana launched a joint ST&I strategy last year, followed by a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this year to deepen their collaboration in driving sustainable development through science, technology, and innovation.
Source: Eric Crentsil
