Entrepreneurship and private-sector engagement are central to sustainable growth and future-oriented cooperation between Ghana and Germany, German Ambassador Frederik Landshöft said during welcome remarks at the German Embassy and AiDiA Entrepreneurship Mixer.
Addressing an audience of founders, industry leaders, academics, development partners and members of the diaspora, Ambassador Landshöft stressed the importance of building strong, inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems capable of driving innovation, job creation and long-term economic resilience. He noted that collaboration between public institutions, the private sector and the diaspora is critical to unlocking shared opportunities for both countries.
The networking event brought together stakeholders from across Ghana’s innovation landscape to exchange ideas and explore deeper partnerships between Ghanaian and German businesses and institutions. Discussions centered on entrepreneurship, innovation financing and the role of diaspora investment in accelerating growth.
The program featured startup pitches and a panel discussion organized in collaboration with the University of Cape Coast. Panelists included Dr. Michael Blank of AHK Ghana, Augustina Busiah of Ohemaa Green Housing, Michael Charles Yabe of AkoFresh, and Till Schmeing of WIDU at GIZ Ghana. Speakers shared perspectives on scaling innovation, strengthening entrepreneurial capacity and creating pathways for diaspora-led investment.
Leonard Konrad, chief operating officer of AiDiA Pitch, also presented insights on the Sustainable Futures Innovation Alliance, an initiative implemented with the University of Cape Coast and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Organizers described the mixer as an evening of meaningful exchange, highlighting how collaboration, innovation and diaspora engagement can transform ideas into opportunities and partnerships into tangible impact for both Ghana and Germany.