On May 19, 2025, a delegation from the Embassy of the Netherlands, led by Naomi Tuinstra and Alex Kruijsse, paid a working visit to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to explore collaborative opportunities around innovations in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The visiting delegation, comprising Naomi Tuinstra, a Dutch diplomat responsible for cocoa and youth initiatives, and Alex Kruijsse, both key stakeholders in the Netherlands’ development cooperation efforts, was received by Mrs. Yvonne Baiden, Senior Assistant Registrar of the IPO.
As part of their visit, the team called on Mrs. Yvonne Baiden, Senior Assistant Registrar at the International Programmes Office (IPO), to discuss IPO’s role in facilitating strategic partnerships for the upcoming Ghana–Netherlands Cocoa Hackathon.
Mrs. Baiden emphasized IPO’s readiness to support the initiative through the signing of an MoU and coordination with both local and international partners.
The visit reaffirmed KNUST’s commitment to empowering youth-driven innovation and deepening academic–industry ties along the cocoa value chain.
This visit also marks a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral cooperation between Ghana and the Netherlands, particularly in the areas of agricultural innovation, youth entrepreneurship, and academic collaboration. The upcoming Hackathon is expected to serve as a model for how international partnerships can drive local innovation, support sustainable job creation, and promote value addition within critical economic sectors like cocoa.
Also present at the meeting were Dr. Eli Gaveh, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Horticulture; Dr. Amos Mensah, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension; Mr. Stephen Osei-Tutu, Senior Administrative Assistant at the Alumni and Advancement Relations Office; Ms. Ernestine Oheneba Danso, Collaborations and Partnerships Officer at the IPO; and Mr. Attah Nyame Essampong, Visibility and Communications Officer at the IPO.
