Prof. Gordon Morris Undertakes Working Visit to AAKTP Project Team in Ghana
Prof. Gordon Morris, Principal Investigator of the African Agrifood Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP) project from the University of Huddersfield (UoH), United Kingdom, undertook a working visit to the AAKTP project team in Ghana from 12th to 16th January 2026.
The AAKTP project is a collaborative initiative involving the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), the University of Huddersfield, and the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC), with funding support from Innovate UK. The project focuses on exploring the use of okra pectin as a sustainable substitute for lecithin in chocolate production.
The project team was led by Prof. Jacob K. Agbenorhevi, Knowledge Base Academic Lead from the Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST. Other team members included Prof. Fidelis Kpodo (Academic Supervisor, UHAS), Ms. Genevieve Pawar (Company Supervisor, CPC), and Ms. Belinda Ntow (KTP Associate).
The visit commenced with a tour of the Cocoa Processing Company, the project’s industry partner. During the visit, the team engaged with senior management of the company, including Prof. William Coffie, Managing Director, and Mr. Osei Kwame Griffiths, Deputy Managing Director. Discussions centred on the progress of the project, ongoing industrial activities, and planned future work, reaffirming the strong partnership between academia and industry.
On Wednesday, 14th January 2026, Prof. Morris visited the KNUST campus, where he was formally introduced to staff of the Department of Food Science and Technology. He subsequently paid courtesy calls on the Provost of the College of Science, Prof. Philip Antwi-Agyei, and the Dean of the International Programmes Office (IPO), Prof. Edmund Ekuadzi. The engagements highlighted the importance of international collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing applied research.
As part of the visit, the team toured the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi and the National Museum in Accra, providing an opportunity to experience Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
The visit concluded on Thursday, 15th January 2026, with a joint meeting between the AAKTP project team and representatives of the British High Commission – Accra. During the meeting, Prof. Agbenorhevi presented updates on the project’s progress, followed by discussions on sustainability strategies, future funding needs, and the project’s long-term vision and impact.
The working visit reinforced the commitment of all partners to the successful delivery of the AAKTP project and its goal of driving innovation and sustainability within Ghana’s agrifood and cocoa processing sectors.
