By Joyce Gyekye
Growing levels of waste, inefficient use of resources and unsustainable production practices in Ghana’s agriculture and textile sectors continue to pose significant environmental and economic challenges.
To help address these issues through innovation, applications have opened for the CircularEconomy4Ghana Innovation Challenge, an initiative designed to support entrepreneurs and startups developing practical, technology-driven solutions.
This was contained in a statement issued by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
According to the statement, the challenge seeks to accelerate the adoption of circular economy practices that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, recover valuable materials and promote sustainable production while creating new business and employment opportunities.
The initiative is being implemented by the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), through its Accelerate for Impact Platform, in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and other partners.
The CircularEconomy4Ghana Innovation Challenge is inviting startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs and innovators to submit technology-driven solutions that promote circular economy practices in Ghana’s agriculture and textile sectors.
Successful applicants will receive technical guidance, business mentoring, investor engagement opportunities and participate in a four-day bootcamp in Accra in October.
Applications will be assessed based on innovation, sustainability, scalability and business potential. Priority will be given to solutions in areas including waste recovery, nutrient recovery, digital advisory services, innovative financing, supply chain efficiency and inclusive business models that support women and young people.
According to the statement, up to 15 teams will be selected for an acceleration programme in November to help prepare their innovations for investment and commercial growth. The programme will culminate in a demonstration day in February next year, where participants will present their solutions to investors and industry leaders.
A researcher with the International Water Management Institute, Dr. Tosin Somorin, said the agriculture and textile sectors were selected because of the significant waste generated in both industries. She explained that about one-third of all food produced is lost annually, with post-harvest losses of fruits, vegetables and root and tuber crops reaching nearly 50 percent.
“This innovation will support entrepreneurs developing solutions to reduce these losses through better processing and converting agricultural waste into products such as fertilizer, animal feed and renewable energy,” she said.
On the textile sector, Dr. Somorin said Ghana has become one of Africa’s largest destinations for second-hand clothing. She noted that textile waste from items that are not sold often ends up in landfills, drains, beaches and waterways.
“Textile wastes not sold end up in landfills, drains, beaches and waterways and this is what we want to prevent,” she added.
Applications close on August 8.
Interested startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs and innovators can apply and obtain more information about the challenge, eligibility requirements and the application process through the CircularEconomy4Ghana Innovation Challenge platform here.
The CircularEconomy4Ghana Innovation Challenge is supported by international research and development partners, with backing from Ghana’s National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement added.
