A recent study has revealed that agribusiness innovation hubs significantly enhance the growth and performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, underscoring the need for stronger policy support to maximize their impact.
The research highlighted that agri-innovation hubs improved access to resources, promoted value co-creation, facilitated collaboration among stakeholders, and supported employment creation. Notably, 40.4 percent of beneficiaries reported increased access to new markets after engaging with the hubs.
Titled “The Impact of Agri-Innovation Hubs on SME Performance in Ghana,” the study aimed to assess the contribution of agribusiness incubation and innovation hubs in transforming the country’s agri-food systems through youth-led innovations.
It was jointly conducted by the SDD University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) and the Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University (DHLTU), with funding from the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Africa Centre of Technology Studies (ACTS), under the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in Africa.
Speaking at the research validation workshop in Wa, Professor Issaka Kanton Osumanu, Pro-Vice Chancellor of SDD-UBIDS, said the research aligned with the university’s commitment to practical training and was expected to enhance the quality of students it produced.
“We hope that the lessons learned from this project will help us shape our own training of students so we can make a bigger impact,” Prof. Osumanu noted.
Mr. Wilfred Edem Dennis, Principal Research Officer at MESTI, described agribusiness innovation hubs as “critical enablers” of agricultural transformation and emphasized their role in job creation.
He added that the project’s focus on youth-led innovation in agriculture supports national efforts to modernize the sector, create jobs, and drive inclusive economic growth. The approach, he said, also aligns with Ghana’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Implementation Plan and broader development goals.
Professor Adams Abdulai, lead researcher, disclosed that approximately 55 percent of respondents were involved in agro-processing, signaling that future investments should prioritize this area to enhance the job creation potential of agri-innovation hubs.
“Membership in agro-innovation hubs significantly impacts SME performance. If we truly want to catalyze development in the agri-food sector, we must support the expansion of these hubs,” Prof. Abdulai emphasized.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders including policymakers, researchers, farmers, private sector actors, and representatives of state institutions.
By Philip Tengzu, GNA
