Sixteen healthcare business start-ups have been awarded a collective sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) by the Mastercard Foundation Africa Higher Education Health Collaborative at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
According to Professor Wilberforce Owusu-Ansah, the Lead of the Health Entrepreneurship Pillar of the Health Collaborative, the initiative commenced with initial entries of seventy (70) applications. Following meticulous evaluation processes, the applications were shortlisted to thirty (30) start-ups, culminating in the selection of the final sixteen (16) business start-ups. The Health Entrepreneurship Pillar, one of three foundational pillars of the Mastercard Foundation Africa Higher Education Health Collaborative at KNUST, is dedicated to fostering an entrepreneurial ethos and creating environment conducive for the creation of impactful innovations and employment opportunities within the healthcare sector. Through these efforts, aspiring entrepreneurs will be nurtured to establish robust healthcare enterprises.
Expressing his admiration for the demonstrated ingenuity of the selected businesses and their commitment in the series of capacity training programmes organised for beneficiaries, Professor Owusu-Ansah articulated his confidence in the transformative potentials of these businesses on the health sector. "The calibre of business concepts and innovative solutions showcased instils in me unwavering confidence that, with concerted effort and adequate support, we can effectuate a paradigm shift within the health ecosystem," remarked Professor Owusu-Ansah.
Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo, the Principal Investigator (PI) of the Mastercard Foundation Africa Higher Education Health Collaborative at KNUST, emphasised how imperative it is for beneficiaries to not only thrive but also to ensure profitability. He underscored the importance of originality, creativity, and innovation in devising solutions to the multifaceted challenges within the healthcare landscape. Furthermore, Professor Owusu-Dabo disclosed plans for the establishment of a Health Innovation Hub at KNUST, aimed at incubating transformative healthcare initiatives.
Dr. Isaac Tweneboah-Koduah, a facilitator of the training programmes conducted for the business start-ups, urged the awardees to judiciously deploy the allocated funds to achieve tangible outcomes. He implored them to adopt a forward-thinking approach and remain adaptable in response to the dynamic market landscape.
Reflecting on the significance of the awards, Miss Gifty Dannah, a representative from one of the beneficiary start-ups, “KNUST Recreational Centre”, expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity afforded to them. With an award of $8,000, she conveyed their determination to leverage the funding towards the realisation of their aspirations for their business. "This programme has been a beacon of support during challenging times. Despite facing several obstacles, we persisted. The financial assistance bestowed upon us holds immense value, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Mastercard Foundation Africa Higher Education Health Collaborative at KNUST for this invaluable opportunity," She said.
Other beneficiaries were; Whisper Health, InnerGlow, Healthy Hairs, Pam BP Health Services, Toproot Organics, Mind at Rest, AimPreg, Global Décor, MetaGrade, Haven Care, Eudio Mobile, ErgoCare, Akomapa Cashew and AutoEase.
