Theme: This summit will focus on innovations to support local agriculture as well as the removal and transformation of aquatic weeds in the Volta Region.
Summit Dates: 6-29 January 2026
Location: Ghana - Akosombo and Kumasi and the villages of Kpong, Aflive and Kua
The summit
This summit was the first IDDS in Ghana since 2011 and was run by the members of the Volta Invasive Species Transformation Alliance (VISTA). MIT D-Lab and the Technology Consultancy Centre (TCC) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) are taking the lead and are supported by the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Akosombo Industrial Company Limited (AICL).
The summit was held in Akosombo, Kumasi and the villages of Kpong, Aflive and Kua and will ran from 6 to 29 January.
The objectives of IDDS VISTA were:
- To develop technologies that address the issues of invasive aquatic weeds, enhancing the lives and livelihoods of community members in the Lake Volta region
- To develop technologies that benefit small-scale farmers through crop processing, labour-savings and/or new opportunities for income generation.
- To enhance collaboration between universities, businesses, government agencies and communities in developing and implementing innovations to address local challenges
- Build greater awareness of invasive aquatic species challenges around the world and promote broader sharing and collaboration among stakeholders.
The summit was conducted in English, and there were basic lessons in Twi, Krobo, and Ewe to prepare visitors to the region for the community visits.