The second edition of the Israeli Green Innovation Competition (IGIC) has officially begun.

It seeks to honour individuals and organisations that come up with innovative solutions to promote environmental conservation and agriculture in Ghana.

The competition focuses on innovative startups in the agriculture and horticulture sector, in line with Israel’s commitment to stimulate both agriculture and innovation in Ghana.

A statement issued by the Israeli Embassy on Friday, 16 October 2020, sated that the competition is open to young Ghanaian startup businesspeople between the ages of 15 and 40, who have an already-existing, innovative initiative that contributes to the growth of the floriculture industry.

“The winner of this year’s competition will receive a fully-paid trip to Israel to participate in industry-related conferences to learn best practices, network and seek potential investors to expand their existing business”, the statement added.

The competition is being undertaken by the Israeli Embassy in collaboration with the Ghana Garden and Flower Show, an initiative of Strategic Communications Africa Limited (Stratcomm Africa).

The final selection and award ceremony will be held on the last day of the 2020 Virtual Ghana Garden and Flower Show (GGFS) scheduled to take place on 8 November 2020.

The 2020 Virtual Ghana Garden and Flower Show (GGFS) will be streamed live on the GGFS website http://stratcomm-africa.com/gfs/

Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Shani Cooper, expressed excitement about the second edition of the show, saying: “We are delighted that through this show we are about unearthing new solutions to enhance agriculture and the environment, the Israeli embassy will continue to support innovative ideas in our quest to see an improved agriculture system and the environment.”

The Chief Executive Officer of StratComm Africa, Ms. Esther A.N. Cobbah, also indicated that due to the corona pandemic, the company had to resort to a virtual show.

She called on all stakeholders to continue their efforts in helping to keep a cleaner, greener, healthier and a wealthier Ghana.

Mode of participants’ selection

Individuals or organisations with interest in entering into this year’s competition would have to follow these simple steps.

·       Have an innovative and captivating prototype that promotes green innovation in Ghana

·       Present your prototype in a 90 seconds video detailing all the essential information about your solution.

·       Register (http://stratcomm-africa.com/gfs/registrations) and upload your video via your Facebook account (tagging Israel Embassy Ghana @IsraelinGhana) and share URL to the video on the Registration Section of Competition Website.

Ten qualifying participants will be selected from the entries for the final pitch. Then these 10 finalists will be hosted by the competition judges on 8th November 2020 at the closing ceremony of the 2020 Virtual Ghana Garden and Flower Show, to do a 3-minute prototype presentation of their solutions.

Registration is open from now till 23rd October 2020; hence individuals are encouraged to send their entries to stand the chance of being crowned for innovation and also acquire valuable skills to help scale up your business initiative.