Three students from the University of Ghana have been honored with the inaugural UG-RID Thesis Innovation Awards for developing research projects that show strong potential for real-world business application.
Presented as part of activities marking the 2025 celebration of the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa (DSRA), the awards highlight the university’s push to encourage students to translate academic research into real-world impact through entrepreneurship.
The awards followed a competitive application and selection process. Fifteen entries were received across undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. levels, with eight finalists shortlisted and interviewed by a four-member panel. From this pool, three winners were selected based on the problem their thesis addressed, originality, feasibility, market potential, business model and impact.
Undergraduate student Wisdom Mensah won with his thesis on plant-based meat analogues, which led to the startup idea Magna Foods. Master’s student Peace Semekor Adegbenu was recognized for her work on post-harvest management practices, which birthed Agri-Intern Ghana. Ph.D. student Clementine Odei’s project on mentorship in public universities evolved into Total Mentorship Global.
Each of the three students received a certificate and a cash prize of GHS 2,000. More importantly, they will receive continued mentorship and support from the university’s Research and Innovation Directorate (RID) to further develop their innovations.
Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, pro vice chancellor for research, innovation and development, who presented the awards, said the initiative affirms the university’s commitment to cultivating a culture of innovation, where research does not end on paper but transforms lives and industries.
The UG-RID Thesis Innovation Awards will become an annual feature of the DSRA celebration to honor exceptional student-led ideas with the potential to drive development.
UG awards three top students for thesis innovation
