The Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain-Africa (CARISCA), a research centre at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has hosted a three-day supply chain research summit. The event, held under the theme "Africa's Supply Chains and the Future of Work," was patronised by renowned experts who deliberated on important issues to enhance supply chain efficiency across Africa.
On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles O. Marfo, the Provost of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, noted that the annual research summit serves as a global platform to explore the fascinating interplay between Africa’s supply chain and the future of work. He highlighted Africa's potential to reshape the global supply chain landscape and redefine the future of work, driven by its strategic geographical location and young and dynamic population.
"Africa, a continent blessed with abundant resources, with the power of innovation, technology and sustainable practices, vibrant cultures, and untapped possibilities, can unleash its full potential and emerge as a hub of economic growth and social development," he added.
He stated that the expected outcome of this intervention is the eradication of development barriers caused by inefficient and ineffective supply chains, particularly in the health and agriculture sectors. This transformation is set to drive Ghanaian and pan-African self-reliance and amplify the impact of USAID investments. He stressed that achieving this outcome relied heavily on successful collaboration among various stakeholders, including government ministries such as health and agriculture, private sector partners, civil society organisations, and the global academic fraternity. Professor Marfo emphasised the necessity of ensuring CARISCA's continuous role as a resource for supply chain researchers in Ghana and across Africa to drive innovative research, translation, and training. He also highlighted the significance of empowering women in supply chain education, research, and practice to achieve greater impact.
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Daniel McKorley, Founder and Executive Chairman of McDan Group, Mr. Richard Asante-Amoah, Chief Executive Officer of Stratgroup, delivered on the topic "Challenges and Key Success Factors in Ghana’s Logistics Sector." He underscored the importance of accelerating Africa's integration both horizontally and vertically through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He called for the harnessing of Ghana's resources to meet the needs of the people and exporting the surplus with added value.
Professor Nathaniel Boso, Director of CARISCA and Dean of KNUST Business School, acknowledged that the chosen theme for this year's summit reflected the changing landscape of supply chain operations. He underlined the need to adapt and innovate, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has expedited the transformation of workplaces and supply chains.
Touching on the numerous roadblocks on major highways linking African countries, he called for the demilitarisation of African borders as part of efforts to facilitate the free movement of goods and persons to accelerate the continent's socio-economic development.
Professor Dale Rogers, Executive Director, and Principal Investigator for CARISCA and Faculty member of the Supply Chain Management Department at Arizona State University, lauded Ghana's strategic geographic location and youthful population, which present numerous opportunities for growth and development.
This year’s summit garnered significant attention with an impressive number of registrations surpassing thousand (1,000) participants. Remarkably, participants from fifty-nine (59) countries across Asia, Europe, North, and South America, and Africa convened for the event. The diverse representation serves as a testament to the mounting recognition of Africa's immense potential as a pivotal force within the global supply chain network and the unfolding landscape of the future work dynamics.
