Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has hosted a working visit by Prof. Gordon Morris of the University of Huddersfield, principal investigator of the African Agrifood Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP) project, as part of ongoing collaboration among academic and industry partners in Ghana.
The working visit took place from Jan. 12 to Jan. 16, 2026, and formed part of efforts to review progress and strengthen partnerships under the AAKTP project, which brings together KNUST, the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), the University of Huddersfield and the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), with funding support from Innovate UK.
The project is exploring the use of okra pectin as a sustainable alternative to lecithin in chocolate production.
The project team in Ghana is led by Prof. Jacob K. Agbenorhevi, Knowledge Base Academic Lead at KNUST’s Department of Food Science and Technology.
Other members include Prof. Fidelis Kpodo of UHAS, Ms. Genevieve Pawar, Company Supervisor at CPC, and Ms. Belinda Ntow, the project’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership associate.
The visit commenced with a tour of the Cocoa Processing Company, the project’s industry partner. During the engagement, the team met senior management of the company, including Managing Director Prof. William Coffie and Deputy Managing Director Osei Kwame Griffiths. Discussions focused on project progress, ongoing industrial activities and planned future work, reaffirming collaboration between academia and industry.
On Jan. 14, Morris visited the KNUST campus, where he was formally introduced to staff of the Department of Food Science and Technology. He later paid courtesy calls on the Provost of the College of Science, Prof. Philip Antwi-Agyei, and the Dean of the International Programmes Office, Prof. Edmund Ekuadzi. The engagements highlighted the role of international collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing applied research.
As part of the programme, the project team visited the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi and the National Museum in Accra, offering an opportunity to experience Ghana’s cultural heritage.
The visit concluded on Jan. 15 with a joint meeting between the AAKTP project team and representatives of the British High Commission in Accra. Prof. Agbenorhevi presented an update on the project’s progress, followed by discussions on sustainability strategies, future funding considerations and the project’s long-term vision and impact.
