Professional Affiliation

Research Officer, African Technology Policy Studies Network

Expert Bio

Ernest Nti Acheampong is a research officer at African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS). He is responsible for undertaking research and coordinating two flagship programs notably the African Youth Forum for Science and Technology (AYFST) and the Social Innovation Program. Ernest holds a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. He also holds a double master degree in International Land and Water Management, and Agricultural Systems Research and Development from the Wageningen University and Research Center and Montpellier SupAgro in the Netherlands and France respectively. He is currently pursuing a PhD degree in Public and Development Management at the Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Ernest has worked with other international research organizations engaged in multi-disciplinary research. He has engaged in several research projects including Community Integrated Conservation Project, Climate Steward Programs, Basin Focal Project and Agricultural Water Management Solutions Project.

More information on the Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding can be found here.

Wilson Center Project

"Emergence of Social Innovation in Africa: A 21st Century Approach to Sustainable Development"

Project Summary

As African countries make effort to transition into knowledge-based economy, they will require new forms of public policy shaped by new innovation models different from those that worked for technical innovations such as cars, aircrafts, or microprocessors. Social innovation (SI) will play an important role in this journey in conjunction with accelerating change. Globally, SI is addressing pressing challenges confronting society today. In light of growing importance of SI, this study examines conceptual underpinnings, underlying assumptions, areas of empirical research, and observable trends in the field of social innovation and the opportunities it provides for statebuilding and peacebuilding in Africa.

Major Publications

Urama, K C and Acheampong, E N (2013) Social innovation creates prosperity. In innovation for a complex world. Stanford Social Innovation Review.

Venot, J-P, de Fraiture, C, Acheampong, E N (2012) Revisiting dominant notions: a review of costs, performance and institutions of small reservoirs in sub-Saharan Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 39p. (IWMI Research Report 144)