In a bold step toward strengthening the Columbus-Accra Sister City relationship, a 12-member Ghanaian delegation led by Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Special Adviser to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, paid an official visit to the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio.
This strategic engagement aligns with President Mahama’s “Black Star Experience” initiative, which aims to position Ghana as a hub for cultural and scientific exchange. The visit, which followed the vibrant COSI Science Festival, was part of a broader mission to enhance collaboration in science, education, and tourism.
Among the delegation was Dr. Mary Awusi, CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), who emphasized the Authority’s commitment to leveraging science and innovation as tools for industrial transformation. She outlined the Authority’s ambition to establish collaborative innovation hubs within Ghana’s Free Zones. These hubs, she noted, would support applied research and product development in priority sectors such as biotechnology, agro-processing, renewable energy, and ICT – all geared toward export diversification.
Dr. Awusi also highlighted the potential for integrating Ghanaian startups and research institutions into global networks through partnerships with entities like COSI. Such collaborations, she indicated, could create environments where innovation thrives and scales for international markets.
This engagement marks a significant step in the Authority’s strategy to evolve its Free Zones beyond traditional industrial parks into dynamic innovation ecosystems – advancing the overarching goal of industrializing the country.