Abstract

This research, adopted interpretive study paradigm, sought to look at how University for Development Studies (UDS) is responding to its local development mandate with a focus on how it is responding to innovation capabilities and human capital development. Notwithstanding the deplorable state of development in Northern part of Ghana, the local development mandate of the university in such a challenging environment has not caught much attention in the education literature. Research findings suggest that whilst UDS has considerably linked its research and teaching roles to the development needs of northern part of Ghana. It has a strong relationship with the human capital development, social and environmental development compared to developing the innovation capabilities. It is recommended that if UDS is seen as a key stakeholder in the development of Northern part of Ghana through its policy mandate, then policymakers need to create a conducive environment and put in place fitting policy support to innovate an effective engagement of UDS with the industrial sector and local enterprises.

Keywords:

Ghana, human development, innovation, knowledge, local development, universities,

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Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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