The Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) and the Ghana Scholarly Society (GSS) have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration between industry and academia. This agreement aims to promote the use of research and data in addressing business and development challenges across Ghana and the African continent. The signing took place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the Jospong International Business (JIB) office in Accra.
This partnership is designed to create a structured and sustainable platform. It will bridge the gap between academic institutions and the corporate world. The collaboration is crucial for Jospong Group's ongoing efforts to build the human capital necessary to support its rapidly expanding operations. The Group currently operates in 29 countries through more than 82 subsidiaries, employing approximately 10,000 people directly.
This initiative aligns with Ghana's broader economic narrative, which increasingly emphasizes local content development and skills enhancement. The nation seeks to move beyond raw material exports by fostering innovation and value addition. This partnership supports the government's agenda for a knowledge-based economy. It also addresses the need for robust data to inform policy and business decisions, especially given Ghana's growing population and infrastructure demands.
Dr. Samanjith Udumalagala, the Group Chief Operating Officer and an Executive Director of Jospong Group, stated the partnership is vital for the Group's growth. He emphasized that sustainable economic transformation requires deliberate investment in knowledge, skills, and emerging technologies. Dr. Udumalagala also revealed that Jospong Group has sponsored over 200 PhD and doctoral scholarships worldwide. This demonstrates their long-standing commitment to developing a highly skilled workforce.
The success of this new partnership will be measured by the practical knowledge and analytical capabilities acquired by employees. These skills will be applied directly to solving business challenges. The ultimate goal is to build a smart, tactical, and future-ready workforce. This workforce will support Jospong’s continued expansion across Africa and beyond. This collaboration sets a precedent for how Ghanaian companies can leverage academic expertise for competitive advantage.
Dr. Kweku Adams, President of the Ghana Scholarly Society and Associate Professor at the University of Bradford, called for a fundamental change in how academic research is produced and utilized in Africa. He argued that research should focus on generating practical, implementable solutions for businesses, governments, and civil society. Dr. Adams highlighted the importance of evidence-based decision-making. African countries face rapid population growth and mounting pressure on infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
Ghana’s population has increased from about 6.4 million in 1957 to more than 37 million today. Nigeria’s population rose from approximately 45 million to over 200 million over the same period. Without reliable data, rigorous research, and long-term planning, African countries may struggle to respond effectively to emerging socioeconomic challenges. These challenges range from urbanization to climate resilience. The GSS will provide specialized supervisory support, executive training, and multidisciplinary expertise through its seven thematic areas. These areas include health and medicine, the built environment, law, economics, accounting, and the social sciences.
The partnership was initiated by Dr. Glenn Kobina Gyimah, Head of the Green Transition Office at Jospong Group. He described the collaboration as a strategic convergence of industry and academic expertise. Jospong Group will provide real-world corporate data, operational platforms, and industry challenges for academic research. GSS will draw on its international network of scholars to address these challenges. This mutual exchange of resources and knowledge is expected to yield significant benefits for both parties and the wider economy.