BTA Admin The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has launched the E4Impact Ghana Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre, establishing a dedicated hub to support student entrepreneurship, skills development, and small business growth.
The launch event, held on March 27, 2026, brought together entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and student innovators, highlighting a shared commitment to strengthening Ghana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor described the Centre as a shift from traditional learning to practical value creation, noting that it will provide access to innovation labs, modern equipment, and hands-on training to help students develop and test business ideas in real time.
He added that the partnership with the E4Impact Foundation, the Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development (AICS), and the European Union represents more than collaboration, calling it “a bridge between theory and practice.”
Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Laura Ranalli, said the initiative will position the Centre as a gateway to global opportunities, equipping graduates with the skills needed to compete in a technology-driven economy.
Driving Jobs and SME Growth
The Centre forms part of the broader I.N.S.P.I.R.E. Project, which aims to:
- Create 1,620 direct jobs, with 35% reserved for women and persons with disabilities
- Provide skills training to 4,615 young Ghanaians
- Support the growth of 570 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
The initiative will span key regions including Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern, Bono, and Western Regions, expanding its national impact.
A representative from the European Union Delegation described the project as a practical example of the “Team Europe” development approach, aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth.
The implementation is being led by a consortium including UPSA, E4Impact Foundation, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, CRISP Università di Milano-Bicocca, VIS, and Don Bosco Youth Network West Africa, with funding support from AICS and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
A Boost for Ghana’s Innovation Ecosystem
The launch of the Centre underscores growing efforts to bridge the gap between education and enterprise, positioning universities as key drivers of innovation, job creation, and economic transformation in Ghana.
