Impact Food Hub CEO Wins Glitz Africa’s Excellence in Technology Award
By admin
Published On October 3, 2024
Accra, Ghana – Dr Mavis Owureku-Asare, Chief Executive Officer of Impact Food Hub (IFH), a dynamic organisation bridging the gap between research and the food industry, has won Glitz Africa’s Excellence in Technology Award at the recently concluded 2024 Ghana Women of the Year Honours held in Accra.
The prestigious event, organised by Glitz Africa, recognised Dr Owureku-Asare for her remarkable contributions to food research, processing, innovation, and development in Ghana.
A renowned food scientist with over 20 years of experience in Food and Agriculture Research and Development, Dr Owureku-Asare leverages her expertise at IFH to support the growth of food processing companies and agribusinesses in Ghana and beyond.
In a brief speech after receiving the award, she expressed gratitude to the Glitz Africa team, saying, “I am deeply humbled and honoured. She thanked Mrs Claudia Lumor for her efforts in uplifting the image of women in the Country.”
To God be the glory, in Him, I live and have my being.”
She also thanked her husband, Mr Elhanan Owureku-Asare, and her children, Asabea, Fiifi, and Ohemaa, for always being her backbone, as well as her family and friends for their unwavering support. To my sisters Sandra, Rita, Adwoa and Akua for being part of my support system.
Dr Owureku-Asare further acknowledged her mentors, including Prof. Ruth Oniango’, Africa’s first female professor of Nutrition and former Kenyan Parliament member, and Professors W. A. Asomaning, Samuel Sefa-Dedeh, and Firibu Kwesi Saalia of the University of Ghana.
She also recognised the contributions of Prof. Ibok Oduro of KNUST, Prof. Charles Torto, Dr. Charlotte Oduro-Yeboah of CSIR-Food Research Institute, and her international colleagues, Professors Kingsly Ambrose and Klein Ileleji of Purdue University, and Dr. Rose Boatin.
She thanked the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission for its support throughout her career and expressed gratitude to her team at Impact Food Hub, its board members, and the people she serves.
Dr Owureku-Asare dedicated the award to two groups: smallholder farmers, most of whom are women, and women food processors in Ghana. She highlighted their resilience and hard work, saying, “Sometimes, we do not give them the credit they deserve. I am proud to promote convenient technologies that will help them add value to their produce and earn a decent living.”
She also dedicated the award to women scientists in Ghana, particularly those in agricultural research and development, for their contributions to the agrifood systems in the country.
Other honorees of the evening included Professor Angela Owusu-Ansah, Nana Krobea Asante, Patricia Poku-Diaby, Mrs Tucci Ivowi, Dr Dzifa Dey, Mrs Femi Asante, Portia Gabor, Madam Enyonam Ansah, Abigail Dromo, and Nelly Hagan. The First Lady of Ghana, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, was named Woman of the Year.
These women were celebrated for their excellence and dedication in various fields. The event, held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the Palm Convention Center in Accra, attracted numerous prominent personalities. Dr Owureku-Asare thanked the event organisers, Glitz Africa, for the recognition and stressed the need for more support for women and children in Ghana.
Who is Dr Owureku-Asare?
Driven by a vision for a vibrant food industry that meets the nutritional needs of Ghanaians, Dr. Owureku-Asare focuses her research on enhancing the quality and shelf life of indigenous foods. Her work provides practical solutions to the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and women food processors.
One of her notable innovations is the “Ewiahemaa” solar dryer, a low-cost technology designed to help tomato farmers manage their harvests and improve their livelihoods. She is committed to ensuring that improved processing technologies reach micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises along the tomato value chain.
Previously, Dr Owureku-Asare served as Principal Research Scientist and Head of the Radiation Technology Centre at the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. She researched the safe use of nuclear technology for post-harvest management of agricultural produce and established The Food Innovation Laboratory, developing novel food products for market uptake. She also founded the annual Tomato Processing and Marketing Training Program, educating MSMEs on tomato product production, including tomato paste, jollof sauce, and dried tomatoes.
Her distinguished career has earned her numerous accolades, including being named a 2020 Aspen Global Innovator, a Norman E. Borlaug LEAP Scholar, a fellow of The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), and a 2019 early career fellow of The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD). She is also certified in the FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food by the USDA.
Dr Owureku-Asare’s international experience includes fellowships at Purdue University and Louisiana State University. As a leader in her field, she is passionate about mentoring young women in STEM fostering the innovations needed to boost food production and economic gains in Ghana.
Her research has been presented at numerous global conferences, and she is recognised as one of Ghana’s leading scientists. She has mentored many female students and professionals in their careers and is a proud alumna of Wesley Girls’ High School.
