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Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo
Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo

Health of economy rests on innovation - First Lady

The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, says the health of any economy rests on its ability to innovate.

She said “The key to growth and progress has always been innovation.”

The First Lady made the observation when she joined a break-out session of the 2017 Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) organised by the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) in Accra yesterday.

The session was the Women Innovation and Entrepreneurs Workshop; it was on the theme: “True women - Awakening the innovator within,” and brought together women entrepreneurs and innovators from some African countries, including Nigeria.

“As we all know, creativity and innovation promote steady improvement in any society. This can be lifes aving for the most vulnerable populations, drive productivity and ensure rising incomes.

“Often when we talk about creativity and innovation we look at the more developed regions, but it is important to note that there are a lot of world-class innovations being produced in Africa,” Mrs Akufo-Addo said.

Global stage

However, the First Lady said, very often, African innovations were overlooked on the global stage as they might not be classic, adding that: “Nevertheless, most of our innovations solve real and difficult human challenges.

“Unless we shine a spotlight on them and create enabling ecosystems, our innovators will continue to languish in the shadows. It is critical that we have our own narratives through initiatives like the IPA.”

The First Lady who commended four women who had been nominated for the 2017 IPA said: “We must tell our story and support those who through their innovation and creativity drive economic growth.”

The four are Ms Peris Bosire from Kenya, Ms Nokwethu Khojane from South Africa, Ms Philippa Makobore from Uganda and Ms Omolabake Adenle from Nigeria.

Mrs Akufo-Addo called on all to be innovation enablers, saying people must not just leave it to institutions such as the AIF, adding that being innovation enablers meant offering mentorship and coaching tools to up-and-coming innovators.

The Deputy Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Mrs Patricia Appiagyei, in an address, said women had their challenges in the past but with a little empowerment, women and youth entrepreneurs could drive most economies.

She said there was the need for the right policies to be put in place to ensure that “we have our women in the space engaging in innovation”.

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