Empowering Institutions: UGBS NEST Leads Dialogue on Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer

Group Photo

On July 25th, 2025, the University of Ghana Business School Innovation and Incubation Hub hosted an insightful Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Training aimed at enhancing institutional capacity for the effective commercialization of innovations and research. The event kicked off with participant introductions and a broad overview of the session, setting a collaborative tone for the discussions ahead.

The discussion began with a frank sharing of the current state of intellectual property management among participating higher education institutions. Representatives from institutions (UG, UHAS, AAMUSTED, TTU, CCTU, UPSA, UESD, UEW, and ATU) expressed concerns about the lack of an established IP office on their campuses. They highlighted the challenges faced due to the absence of dedicated processes and frameworks for IP registration and management. For example, while some institutions like the graduate school have an IP office, many undergraduates and other faculties lack this support, making it difficult for innovations to be properly protected and commercialized.

Madam Diana Antwi, Senior Research Development Officer

The training session was led by Madam Diana Antwi, Senior Research Development Officer at the UG Research and Innovation Directorate, who focused on empowering institutions to establish and enhance their Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs). She discussed the entire process involved in technology transfer, from discovery and disclosure to evaluation, protection, marketing, licensing, and product development. Madam Antwi emphasized that TTOs should be aligned with an institution’s core values and strategic goals to be effective. She showcased successful case studies from the United States and South Africa, illustrating how robust TTOs and active IP policies have contributed to the creation of numerous startups and successful businesses originating from academic research.

Participant from UESD

Madam Antwi also stressed the need for institutions to align their IP strategies with their core values and objectives. She encouraged universities to take proactive roles by going directly to researchers and innovators rather than waiting for them to come forward. The session highlighted various IP types and promoted the creation of comprehensive university models for IP education and awareness. Participants were advised to leverage existing resources, such as materials from WIPO and Ghana’s Industrial Protection Organisation, in their efforts to build awareness and capacity.

Professor Ncebakazi Galada - Nelson Mandela University

Despite the progress made, the training acknowledged significant challenges, including low levels of IP awareness, weak ecosystem support, and the absence of well-defined policies at both national and institutional levels. The participants recognized the need to strengthen ecosystems, enhance IP education and training, and develop strategic academic partnerships that foster innovation and entrepreneurial activity.

The event culminated with a presentation from Professor Palesa Natasha Mothapo and her team from Nelson Mandela University. They shared best practices from South Africa’s national science, technology, and innovation system, illustrating successful structures and lessons learned in managing IP and fostering technology transfer. They expressed their availability to provide further training on IP, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.

Professor Palesa Natasha Mothapo - Nelson Mandela University

The day closed with lively discussions, questions, and feedback from participants and presenters, reinforcing the collective desire to build stronger institutional capacity for IP management. This training marks a crucial step toward fostering innovation ecosystems that can transform research into impactful products and startups, supporting Ghana’s broader goals of development and technological advancement.

Representatives from various institutions