Since January 2022, the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre (GCIC), with the generous support of Global Affairs Canada, (GAC), has enabled 45 enterprises within its Incubator to attain business training certificates from several prestigious universities and institutions worldwide. This comes on the back of its collaboration with the globally renowned learning platform Coursera.
The certificates were awarded in a range of valuable and cross-cutting disciplines, ranging from strategy and sustainability by the University of Navarra, Making a business case for sustainability by the University of Colorado, Effective Problem-Solving and Decision-Making by the University of California, Irving, Design thinking for Innovation by the University of Virginia, Hiring, Recruiting and Onboarding by the University of Minnesota, Entrepreneurship: from Ideation to Exit by HEC Paris, Visionary leadership by Macquarie University, Digital marketing by University of Illinois, Foundations of Project Management from Google, and Cybersecurity Compliance Framework & System Administration from IBM. The total number of certificates awarded to entrepreneurs and their team members within the incubator now stands at 189, and this has contributed to furthering the knowledge and skills of these businesses in their pursuit of sustainable entrepreneurship.
The collaboration with Coursera has provided GCIC’s entrepreneurs with the opportunity to tap into the rich expertise of over 275 leading universities and companies offering courses on the platform. As clearly articulated by Coursera, the vision is to provide life-transforming, flexible and affordable learning opportunities to the enterprises, to enable them drive local solutions with global knowledge.
At GCIC’s School of Sustainable Entrepreneurship, we offer an advanced Business Incubation Program which is dedicated to supporting transformative entrepreneurs who possess innovative solutions and businesses geared towards climate change mitigation or adaptation. The School achieves this by providing participating cohorts and enterprises with what we call a High Value Mini-MBA – thoughtfully identified and curated courses in strategy, leadership, climate change and sustainability to name a few which enhance thir business acumen. Together with in-person Masterclasses on Commercial Acumen, Taxation and Insurance, Design Thinking, Climate Change delivered by industry experts, the mini-MBA course renders incredible value to the enterprises we support. .
The Mini-MBA program has proven to be particularly advantageous to GCIC’s cohorts. Several enterprises from cohort 6 and cohort 7, especially Kaeme Body Care, Kawamoka Limited, Hendy Farms, Asa Nwura, ShaQ Express, and Jacqk Trust have all derived additional business acumen, business operations and management skills from this program. Together, these two cohorts have invested about 505 hours (21days) in learning through Coursera.
The University of Colorado’s “What is Climate Change and First Steps in Making the Business Case for Sustainability,” along with Fundação Instituto de Administração’s “Macroeconomics for Business Management,” emerged as the top three courses favored by enterprises. These courses hold paramount importance in enhancing a business’s comprehension of climate change and their ability to establish environmentally conscious and sustainable, yet profitable operations.
Analyzing data gathered from the Coursera platform, a remarkable surge in course engagement is evident when comparing cohort 6 to cohort 7. In the former, 45 individuals secured certificates, while the latter witnessed an impressive escalation with 145 individuals obtaining certificates through the program, indicating a renewed and heightened eagerness among enterprises to leverage the platform for learning, acquiring fresh skills, and ultimately advancing their business interests.
Asa Nwura, a waste management company in the Western Region, alone obtained 11 certificates from esteemed institutions like the University of Virginia, University of Colorado, Boulder, and HEC Paris. These certificates covered courses such as Marketing Mix Fundamentals, Financial Accounting Fundamentals, and Business Growth Strategy. Benjamin Turkson, CEO and Founder of Asa Nwura, commended GCIC’s School of Sustainable Entrepreneurship for providing him with this enlightening experience, particularly since he lacked prior training in formal business management. The Coursera courses have proven to be indispensable sources of education and knowledge for him and his team.
Anthony Owusu-Ansah, Founder, and CEO of ShaQ Express, also acknowledged the transformative impact of GCIC’s Incubator on his business. He expressed gratitude for the Coursera courses, which provided essential knowledge about climate change and sustainability in business to him and his staff.
As new businesses continue to join the incubator each year, GCIC remains committed to empowering environmentally conscious enterprises by equipping them with the tools to navigate the increasingly complex ecosystem of climate change and sustainability in business.
