Key Takeaways
- KNUST has named its new drone training facility after agribusiness expert Daniel Fahene Acquaye.
- The Dan F. Fahene Drone Innovation and Simulation Unit aims to enhance agricultural technology and skills training in Ghana.
- The initiative is part of the HAPPY Program, which has already created over 190,000 jobs in various agricultural sectors.
Drone Innovation for Agricultural Advancement
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has inaugurated the Dan F. Fahene Drone Innovation and Simulation Unit, honoring agribusiness expert and CEO of Agri-Impact Limited, Daniel Fahene Acquaye. This facility, unveiled during KNUST’s E-Learning Week on July 22, 2025, is situated within the University’s E-Learning Centre.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the new unit includes a drone simulation studio, a display lab, and dedicated spaces for research and development. Its primary objective is to equip young Ghanaians with skills in drone piloting and agricultural mapping, enhancing the efficiency of precision agriculture practices for farmers.
Mr. Acquaye, who serves as the E-Learning Ambassador at KNUST, expressed his appreciation for the recognition and emphasized the transformative impact of drone technology in agriculture. He noted that the use of drones can lead to significant reductions in production costs and substantial increases in crop yields. “This technology can reduce production costs by up to 30% and increase yields by 30 to 50%,” he stated.
He also anticipated the rise of a new generation of agripreneurs skilled in providing drone services, which will extend beyond Ghana to the West African region. These services will include drone mapping, soil nutrient analysis, and disease detection, all of which are vital for modern agricultural practices.
The project ties into the broader Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Program, a collaborative effort led by the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited, with support from a consortium of eight partners. The HAPPY Program aims to generate 326,000 jobs in sectors such as rice, soybean, tomato, and poultry, having already surpassed 190,000 job opportunities within a two-year span.
Professor Eric Appau Asante, the Director of KNUST’s E-Learning Centre, and Vice-Chancellor Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson praised Mr. Acquaye and Agri-Impact Limited for their commitment to educational innovation and support to the university.
The ongoing E-Learning Week, continuing through July 25, 2025, is themed “Transforming Education Through Responsible Innovation and Inclusion in the Digital Era,” with various dignitaries, including the President of The Apostolic Church and the General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, in attendance.
The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.