Breaking the Barriers Innovatively with Innovation Clinic

Report by Harry Akligoh

Innovation Clinic is an informal gathering of stakeholders in the innovation space in Ghana. It brings together innovators to discuss ways of enhancing the deployment of scientific and indigenous innovations. It also serves as a conduit for promoting the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Ghana. The clinical approach allows for a response to demand-driven needs of young innovators and entrepreneurs.

On January 12, 2018, at iSpace Foundation in Labone, Accra, the first Innovation Clinic gathered about 30 participants, comprising lawyers, scientists, STEM enthusiasts, engineers, developers, social entrepreneurs and students. Three thematic areas were explored: knowledge exchange, thinking, and system.

The event was heralded by rich Ghanaian music amidst drinks and networking. In his welcome remarks, Gameli Adzaho of Global Lab Network shared about the community and its partnership with Idea2Market Foundation to convene a science, engineering, technology and business gathering to deepen the culture of innovation in Ghana.

Three musicians in traditional cloth play guitar and a shekere at the first Innovation Clinic, iSpace, Accra — Melodius traditional music at Innovation Clinic

Knowledge Exchange

Foster Ofosu, CEO of Idea2Market and host, set the ball rolling by highlighting the purpose of the gathering. He further initiated a discussion on what participants were doing innovatively as entrepreneurs. A number of innovations across education, agriculture, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and youth development were shared. Ato Ulzen-Appiah of GhanaThink Foundation spoke about his work mobilizing and utilizing the talents of youths in Ghana through the Barcamp, Junior Camp and Ghana Volunteers programs respectively. Harry Akligoh also shared on Practical Science Initiative’s work mentoring and inspiring females in STEM in Ghana, and bridging the practical science education gap in rural basic schools in the Volta region. Finally, Peter Awin of CowTribe, who came all the way from Tamale, shared how he and his team were innovating by providing veterinary services to cow farmers in the Northern region utilizing technology.

Peter Awin of CowTribe speaks into a microphone to seated participants at iSpace, Accra — Peter sharing more about his innovation, CowTribe

Thinking – A mindset of revolution

Foster shared an illustration he uses to teach how entrepreneurs think differently. The illustration sparked turns discussions which culminated into Q&As. The session ended with a live call with Akosua Bame, co-host, on ‘the mindset revolution’. Akosua in her delivery underscored the importance of the mind and the need to learn, unlearn and relearn in other to harness the power of the mind in solving problems innovatively.

Foster Ofosu of Idea2Market makes a point into a microphone, drummers behind him — Foster emphasising a key point during the interaction

Systems – Keys to Innovation

How well do African systems influence innovation? Can we boast of any business that is striving because of a good system? The session raised several questions as a way of keeping participants thinking. In response to some of the questions raised, Darlington Akogo of MinoHealth, made several contributions and cited scenarios of how good and bad systems can influence innovation and development.

Ato Ulzen-Appiah and Nii Nai in conversation, drink in hand, at the Innovation Clinic — Ato and Nii Nai enjoying a tete-a-tete

The event ended in grand style with lots to eat and drink with a great innovation themed spoken word performance by Makafui Awuku followed by rich Ghanaian music.

https://twitter.com/GLabNetwork/status/951971195657904129

Harry Sefoga Akligoh is a Medical Laboratory Scientist in the Volta Regional Hospital, Ho, Ghana. He is also the Founder of Practical Science Initiative, an organization focused on motivating and mentoring more African women into science. He graduated from the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho with a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Harry is a passionate and driven individual who is ready to apply his knowledge in medical laboratory science to develop low cost diagnostic solutions to infectious diseases common in Africa. He is a member of the Global Shapers Community, Ho hub.

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