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Report from the kick off meeting in Ghana

On 22 March 2006 21 stakeholders representing business, knowledge institutions and government met at University of Ghana Business School to discuss new potentials and possibilities for increasing the competitiveness of, and value added production in, Ghanaian industries and businesses.

Under specific examination at the seminar were the possibilities for realizing this objective through initiation of new innovative partnerships and joint cluster-based development activities.

The organizers of the kick-off seminar of the partnerships4competitiveness initiative were The Danida Centre at University of Ghana Business School in cooperation with The Competitiveness Institute (www.competitiveness.org) and Innogate (www.innogate.net).

Summary of Conclusions and next steps

First and foremost, the stakeholders concluded that they were enthusiastic and commitment to encourage and jointly develop new productive partnerships for increasing Ghanaian industries' and businesses' competitiveness.

The discussion on specific challenges and opportunities led to the following conclusions (for further details please find the full report below):

• There is a need for knowledge building and sharing as well as training on innovation, competitiveness and cluster development.T
• here is a need for "somebody to beat the drum!" (about the benefits of new innovative partnerships and joint cluster-based development activities). The participating stakeholders of partnerships4competitiveness agreed that "we should beat the drum".
• Inclusiveness is essential. All relevant stakeholders, also those not present at the kick-off seminar, should be invited to participate in upcoming activities.
• The initiative must gain momentum rapidly. "Let this not be just be another meeting" was a shared opinion among the stakeholders.
• Cluster activities should give equal priority to domestic and export markets.
• A committee was shaped that will move forward the joint ambitions of the stakeholders on a steady basis. 8 stakeholders joined the committee.
• To facilitate the realization of the stakeholders' objectives the possibilities for provision of seed funding needs to be resolved.

You can download the full report here.