A team of young innovators from the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) has firmly placed Ghana on the global innovation map after winning the 2026 Nkabom Africa Case Competition in Montreal, Canada.
The winning team, Eastside Sankofa Industries, Ghana, emerged victorious at the grand finals hosted by McGill University in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Young Ghanaian Talent Takes the Global Stage
The triumphant UESD team comprised Godson Etsri, Benjamin Ansu Anyame, and Aaron Tawiah Blagodzi, all students pursuing sustainability-focused programmes.
Their winning concept centred on transforming locally produced mangoes into nutritious mango puree and juice, targeting one of Ghana’s long-standing agricultural challenges, post-harvest losses.
The solution focuses on harnessing abundant mango production in the Somanya enclave, turning excess fruit into value-added products that can improve nutrition, create jobs, and strengthen Ghana’s food system.
Their innovation impressed judges drawn from business, government, and civil society sectors, beating strong competition from universities across Africa, Europe, and North America.
Global Competition, Local Impact
Among the finalists were teams from the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Arizona State University, University of Cambridge, and Princeton University.
Despite the stiff competition, the Ghanaian team stood out for presenting a practical, scalable, and market-driven solution grounded in local agricultural realities.
For their achievement, the UESD team received a CAD 10,000 cash prize to support the implementation of their proposal.
Other finalist teams received prizes ranging from CAD 7,500 to CAD 1,500, and all five teams will benefit from mentorship by experts in the manufacturing industry.
Beyond Winning: From Concept to Production
The winning project will receive additional support through the Nkabom Collaborative, an initiative designed to nurture promising student-led innovations into real-world businesses.
The Nkabom Collaborative, meaning “togetherness” in Akan, is a ten-year programme aimed at creating three million dignified jobs for Ghanaian youth by 2030.
It brings together Ghanaian universities, including:
- Koforidua Technical University
- University of Health and Allied Sciences
- Ashesi University
- Alongside industry partners such as the Association of Ghana Industries
Together with international collaborators, the programme focuses on transforming Ghana’s nutrition and agri-food ecosystem through youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
Why This Win Matters
The 2026 challenge required teams to design cross-sector solutions connecting agriculture, health, and education—key areas shaping Ghana’s long-term development.
Drawing inspiration from the UNESCO 2025 Global Education Monitoring Report on Education and Nutrition, participants explored innovative ways to improve nutrition outcomes while creating sustainable employment opportunities.
For Ghana, the UESD victory signals more than academic success; it represents a shift toward value addition in agriculture, a critical step toward reducing waste, boosting exports, and strengthening food security.
A Victory for Ghana’s Future
As the team prepares to pilot and scale their mango-processing innovation, their success stands as a powerful reminder that home-grown solutions driven by young minds can compete and win on the global stage.
If successfully implemented, the project could transform the mango industry in Ghana, create employment for youth, and convert seasonal fruit surpluses into long-term economic value.
And for many observers, this is not just a student victory, it is a glimpse into Ghana’s agricultural future.
By paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
