History was made on the campus of the University of Ghana when the University for Development Studies (UDS) stormed the Students Venture Support Programme (SVSP) for the very first time, and walked away with the ultimate prize of GHS 50,000.00.

With a dazzling display of innovation, grit, and business acumen, three UDS teams, each made up of students drawn from different academic disciplines, proved that fresh energy and bold ideas can topple even the most experienced competitors. Their groundbreaking project, which showcased the transformation of cashew waste into industrial grease, set the stage alight and won over judges, partners, and audiences alike.

The competition, jointly organised by the University of Ghana in collaboration with Imperial College London, drew participation from some of Ghana’s academic giants, including the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Hosts, University of Ghana. But in the end, it was UDS, the debutant, that carried the day.

Though the SVSP has been running successfully for the past four years, 2025 marked the first time UDS had thrown its hat into the ring. Under the able supervision of Prof. Issahaku Haruna, Vice Dean of the UDS School of Business, and with strong leadership from Dr. Akanganngang J. Asitik, Head of the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, and Dr. Yakubu Balma Issaka, Director of the UDS Business Innovation and Incubation Centre (BIIC), the UDS contingent made an indelible mark.

Dr. Asitik and Dr. Issaka personally led the team to Accra, ensuring that their students not only competed but competed with purpose, precision, and passion.

The SVSP is a flagship initiative designed to ignite entrepreneurial spirit among university students, encouraging them to develop innovative, practical, and scalable solutions to real-world challenges. By fostering collaboration between Ghanaian universities and international partners such as Imperial College London, the programme aims to create a new wave of problem-solvers who combine academic knowledge with entrepreneurial drive.

The prize money, resources, and mentorship opportunities offered through the programme provide winning teams with a springboard to transform their ideas into fully fledged business ventures capable of impacting industries and communities.

UDS’ winning idea was as daring as it was brilliant: producing industrial grease from the by-products of cashew processing, an often-neglected agricultural waste. The concept not only addresses waste management challenges but also creates a cost-effective, locally sourced industrial lubricant solution with the potential to reduce Ghana’s reliance on expensive imports.

The judges lauded the UDS team for presenting a “highly innovative and environmentally sustainable” venture that combines science, business strategy, and social impact.

As the cheque of GHS 50,000.00 was handed over to the jubilant team, chants of “UDS! UDS!” filled the auditorium. For many, this victory was more than just prize money, it was a powerful statement about the rising stature of the university on the national and global stage.

“This is a proud moment not only for UDS but for northern Ghana and for every student who believes that innovation knows no boundaries,” one of the supervising lecturers remarked after the win.

With their first-ever appearance turning into a spectacular triumph, UDS has announced itself as a formidable force in Ghana’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape. And if this debut is anything to go by, the competition had better watch out, because UDS is here to stay.

The University for Development Studies (UDS) not only clinched the ultimate prize for the most innovative idea at the contest, but their victory also attracted the attention of industry giants. A leading player in the global automobile manufacturing sector, visibly impressed by the students’ ingenuity, indicated the possibility of engaging UDS in further discussions. This potential collaboration, if pursued, could open remarkable opportunities for the university and position UDS students as active contributors to cutting-edge solutions in the automobile industry.

Story by Abdul Hayi Moomen
UDS Media