The Nutrition and Sustainable Agri-food Collaborative, KNUST in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation (Nkabom Collaborative), has hosted a Networking Day aimed at strengthening synergies, coordination mechanisms, and action planning among partner institutions.
The event brought together key stakeholders from partner institutions, including the University of Ghana, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Koforidua Technical University, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ashesi University, and the Association of Ghana Industries. The gathering provided a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning within Ghana’s agrifood ecosystem.
Welcoming participants, the Provost of the College of Science at KNUST, Professor Philip Antwi-Agyei, underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing complex challenges within the sector.
He noted that the Networking Day was designed to create a platform for partners to engage more closely and strengthen collaboration among partner institutions.
“The is an important forum for partners to interact, learn about each other's work, and align their activities with the broader objectives of the collaborative,” he said.
Professor Antwi-Agyei highlighted the critical role of partnerships in advancing sustainable agrifood systems, stating that bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and partners in one space is both timely and important, especially as we confront complex challenges that require collaborative solutions.
Principal Investigator of the KNUST Nkabom Collaborative, Professor William Otoo Ellis, acknowledged the pioneering efforts of partner institutions in advancing the collaborative agenda. He noted that such engagements are essential, as they create a platform that fosters learning across institutions.
According to him, the Networking Day also promotes exposure, enabling participants to better understand the work of partner institutions and identify opportunities for joint initiatives.
“We came to share, we came to learn, and we also came to know how to become exposed to other institutions,” he stated.
Professor Ellis further encouraged partners to take full advantage of the platform to deepen relationships and build impactful collaborations, noting that the strength of the Nkabom Collaborative lies in its collective expertise and shared vision.
The Networking Day also featured site visits to key training facilities under the Multi-Purpose Integrated Programme (MIP).
Participants toured various units, including the food processing unit, aquaculture unit, poultry unit, greenhouse unit, rabbitry unit, and the Centre of Excellence in Agrifood Systems. These visits offered first-hand insights into ongoing capacity-building initiatives aimed at equipping young people with practical skills in agribusiness and value addition.
