KsTU Lecturer Collaborates with University of York on Energy-Resilient Cold Chain Research
Dr. David Antwi, a lecturer of the Department of Procurement and Supply Chain Management at Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), has partnered with the York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI) under the framework of an academic collaboration between University of York, United Kingdom, and Kumasi Technical University to advance research on sustainable food systems in Ghana.
The collaborative initiative, titled “Energy-resilient cold chains for food security and enterprise competitiveness in Ghana,” seeks to explore how reliable energy systems can strengthen cold storage networks and improve the efficiency of Ghana’s frozen food supply chain. The research is particularly focused on the role of hub-based operations in enhancing food preservation, market access, and business sustainability for enterprises operating within the frozen food sector.
The fellowship forms part of an interdisciplinary collaboration between the University of York and Kumasi Technical University designed to deepen academic partnerships and support knowledge exchange. As part of the initiative, both institutions will undertake reciprocal academic visits to enable structured engagement between researchers, foster collaboration, and lay the foundation for long-term research partnerships.
The partnership will also result in a joint scholarly publication that examines how energy reliability influences supply chain behaviour and entrepreneurial strategies within hub-based food systems. Through this work, the researchers aim to generate insights that can inform policy, strengthen food system resilience, and support enterprise growth within Ghana’s food distribution sector.
As part of the project activities, the international collaborator will deliver a research seminar at the University of York to present preliminary findings and receive feedback from scholars and industry experts in the United Kingdom. In Ghana, a stakeholder workshop will be hosted at Kumasi Technical University to bring together academics, industry players, and policy stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities confronting frozen food hubs and their role in complementing locally produced foods to strengthen domestic market resilience.
The collaboration will also culminate in the development of a joint research funding proposal focused on energy-resilient innovations in Ghana’s frozen food system. The proposal will be co-designed with contributions from both primary and secondary stakeholders through hub observations, one-on-one consultations, and multi-stakeholder dialogues in Ghana.
The initiative highlights the growing role of Kumasi Technical University in driving impactful research partnerships that address real-world challenges, particularly in areas such as sustainable food systems, energy resilience, and enterprise development.
