The Dynamics of Innovation and Sustainable Transition

The crucial details that align my solution project are:

My commitment to solve the world’s pressing need through sensitization of the  mind-shift from linear economy to loop economy.

I propose to solve the problem through educative approach using my NECO Clock project. The NECO Clock highlights the 8Rs approach namely: Reduce product and energy usage; Reduce product making; Reuse; Repair; Recycle; Reverse engineer product; Rebrand products; Renewable energy use.

If my solution is scaled out, globally, we will have a sustainable healthy economic and physical ecosystem.  

The specific problem Ghana is confronted in practicing circular economy includes: home and Domestic long-life-cycle production; domestic manufacturing of standard recyclable-efficient goods; influx of substandard NEW products from Home countries; Ineffective and inefficient waste management systems. 2011 report reveals that "Ghana’s E-Waste Country Assessment", found that of 215,000 tons of electronics imported to Ghana, 30% were brand new and 70% were used. People who engage in the unlicensed ee-waste recycling centers lack proper protective equipment, exposing them to chronic health problems such as coughing up blood which occurs among long-time workers and sometimes death. Multiple scientific studies done on soil and water collected from the sites are showing extremely higher levels of carcinogenic substances such as lead, cadmium, barium and others, and these are spreading beyond the processing site.

Globally some experts claim there will be a need for a high demand of more skilled workforce beyond science, technology, engineering and mathematics – which includes additional knowledge, skills, talent, creativity, innovation and modeling skills that will help formulate the right frameworks and guide behavior change.

My project directly appeals to the Ghanaian to realize the opportunities and consequences underlying unhygienic environmental practices which are droughts, wildfires, tsunamis, global warming and alike. As i embark on educational campaign focusing on children and industry players using the NECO clock instrument, I belief more lives will be improved. The project stimulates thoughts but alleviates fear and improves lives as we indulge in healthy ecological practices. Report shows that most users of the clock are now selflessly helping others to change attitudes as shift to circular economy practice.

Upon organizing a workshop which was themed ‘get connected to nature’, most especially the youth realize they are disconnected from nature and so they pledged to get connected again. They revamp their readiness by volunteering to help with the production and distribution of the clock to many homes to alert people to care for their environment. 

since most of the world’s pressing problems are fundamental and cultural. I entreat all educators to equip children with problem solving activities and projects making. my solution has effected industry leaders and they are exhibiting the best sustainable economic and ecological practices by some implementing circular research and development. 

My solutions are of three (3)-fold. First, the sensitization of the transition of mind-shift from linear economy to circular economy by using a physical educative NECO clock project. It seeks to emphasize and alerts industry leaders of production of ecofriendly and recyclable products of low energy-consumption. The clock also seeks to alert them of the extension of product life cycle. For this reason the solution project seeks to propose cost-effective production of efficient and effective miniature products.

This educative technology is used in every society globally - in that time management is becoming very critical today as we try to gratify needs of the escalating world’s population with limited resources.

Second, the solution seeks to promote sustainable circular economy practice by means of presenting an animated clock software project. More importantly, the animation displays background features of educative slide shows or videos that gradually sensitize thoughts for the mind-shift from linear economy towards circular economy approach.

last but not the least, the solution is a proposal – the need to amplify the critical need to produce and uses more non-hyphenated eco terminologies in our contexts.  More often than not I hear people prejudicing eco-motives and its associate across the world. However, looking into the future, I propose and belief policymakers and civil society will critically see to incorporation of circular economy denotative and connotative terms which are eco-affiliate so we avoid hyphenating ecological terminologies. 

I target basically everyone but especially children and industry players. The product and its processes are of two-folds namely:

1. Features of the Aesthetic Wooden Wall Clock Technology

• ENVIRONMENT: Besides the world map painting at the foreground, letters are used in place of numbers; the minesweeper indicates closeness to danger as we are failing to do the right thing.
• THE ENGINE: Entails robust features that last longer.                           

• ENERGY: Blue-written hour hand encourages use of renewable energy.

• TECHNOLOGY: Green-written minutes hand encourages use of ecofriendly technology.
• RECYCLING: Red-written seconds hand encourages recyclable; re-use; repair; Reverse engineer; rebrand; reduce production. 

Nonetheless, the NECO Clock is made up of 98% wood – seeking to discourage use of plastics which is endangering our ecosystem.

2. Animated Educative NECO Clock that displays background features of educative slide shows or videos to gradually sensitize thoughts for the mind-shift towards circular economy approach.

As I often say, “innovation may be a necessary evil” in that change and shift of dimension may decrease super-earnings while sanitizing our physical environment especially in our current fast changing world. Indeed, I was touched by innovation to deliver an invention from existing clock technology to create an aesthetically modified clock technology in order to amplify my message – realizing the time bound or urgency to do what is necessary to neutralize the impact of the emerging ecological changes and that we have limited time to change as it seems we are sitting on a time-bomb as we are failing to change from linear business model to sustainable new business models. Additionally, realizing the impact of plastic pollution I use biodegradable material for my NECO Clock technology to discourage intensive production and use of plastic products. Since change is inevitable our physical and economic environment dynamically compels me to envisioned the fast approaching new dimension impact on society –our material resources are getting limited and scarce; world population is on the rise; extraction of the limited resources and intensive production into goods and services to gratify needs of  all species is increasing, making room for greenhouse gas emission which eventually brings about climate change resulting in global warming and subsequently unexpected tsunamis, droughts, wildfires, rising sea level among other effects. my effective solution addresses the use of new NECO Clock technology and industry change in terms of changes of business processes and models in a more sustainable way selflessly. 

Society is surrounded by both Economic Environment and Ecological Environment.

To that effect the clock seeks to evoke pleasure while alleviating confusion in the minds of people by raising the attention, stimulating interests while arousing desires to obtain the necessary action that is use-and-change. Though it is not a quick-fix solution but can gradually sensitize emotions to effect the switch.

Minesweeper Feature

Failure to ecofriendly maintain the healthy economic and ecological Environment will pose danger to society and the global community at large in unsustainable manner as represented by the minesweeper.

Technology Feature

Technology plays key roles in all business processes. To that effect, every strategic business model is intertwined with technology. This calls for efficient and effective management of technology, arts, science and culture to achieve sustainable business and societal goals. As one spot-on-the-go the Technology feature of the clock alerts of the need to use environmentally friendly technologies.

Recycle Feature

Environmentally friendly technologies can be eco-recycled without any environmental impact thus adapts the circular economy approach. As one spot-on-the-go the Recycle feature of the clock alerts the need for mind shift from linear to circular approach. The feature also stimulates emotions about reuse, repair (maintenance culture), re-engineer, and rebrand.

Energy Feature

Most technologies are powered by energy. As one spot-on-the-go the Energy feature of the NECO clock, stimulates emotions of alternative energy source like renewable energy to power our gadgets and industries thus reducing our carbon footprint. 

The need for the mind-shift from linear economy to circular economy pinched me to use the NECO Clock project to present my solution due to the limited TIME we have to change attitudes in order to realize our objectives. Naturally, as people want to have a better life there is a need to lobby them culturally and fundamentally to realize the urgency. We inform that scientist believe the ocean have been colder and hotter than average throughout the past decades till date - and then we continue to inform that global sea surface temperatures will continue to increase over the next decade as greenhouse gasses build up in the atmosphere by showing images and slides to them comparing the past and current status of the impact. We emphasize that the damage will slow as we adhere to good ecological practices and these calls for awareness of change for betterment of successive generations and that these require a selfless attitude. I am expecting using the NECO clock project to promote circular economy practice is yielding great and interesting results because ever since we started the distribution, people of all walks of life ask expected questions that need automatic answers that addresses issues of the  environmental impact hence the need to make immediate physical and economic environmental changes.  Honestly, it also appeals to people who have strong religious background in that: ‘God will bring to ruin those ruining the Earth and its resources unsustainable’ – Revelation 11:18. I 

Currently I am serving about 500 people within the Capital Accra.

With all things being equal, by next year i will extend my coverage to about 980.

Quantitatively, in the next five years I will cover Ghana and some West Africa sub-regions to serve larger population as more people join.

These in no doubt create economic benefits to the unemployed as they promote this sustainable course.

By 2020: my aim by next year is to be able to present the message of the impact of circular economy practice across Ghana using the mind-shift tool.

By 2025: my aim in five years’ time is to be able to present the message of the urgent need for the economy loop to the West African sub-region using the mind-shift tool. 

In June 2019, Ghana passed the Acts based on Basil Convention  on control of trans-boundary movement of  hazardous waste and UNEP  law in 1981 to streamline the activities to ensure sound waste management and recycling practices to protect current consumers, our ecosystem and future generations.

Though now till the course of next year we will envisage steady responds in integrating CE into our diverse values and norms through the sensitization with the NECO Clock despite the perception arising from some risk averted people about the sustainability of CE.

I belief extrapolationally, in five years’ time, we will have a larger impact as new members come on-board to spread the knowledge far and wide across the Ghana and the sub-region. Our goal of influencing CE mind-shift will begin to statistically show the impact as industries are compelled to change their activities whilst seek to promote only businesses who practice Circular Economy such a HP and Philips, Raspberry Pi, among others as we fully integrate to the new circular marketing dynamics. From our position and direction, highlighting the benefits; attributes; origin; brands; competitors; users; personalities; activities and usage occasions to promote discerning audiences.

If supported financially, we can raise more attention; holding consumer interest at heart; arouse desires. This will make us obtain greater actions and impacts in next year and five years’ time – as we address all major issues being financial; structural; attitudinal; cultural; technological; legal and political; marketing; and industrial arising with the CE transition.

Presently, though we are not financially endowed as we are still a registered enterprise we belief that upon getting the financial support we will be able to migrate swiftly as a profit and non-profit organization to continue the course. Currently, we are sometimes supported by some benevolent contributions. To these regard we are able to raise small funds to purchase few material resources such as stock of woods. Additionally, we need more long-life-cycle wall clock engines; sandpaper; green, blue, yellow, white and black acrylic paint; more volunteered artists; card-box;  and labels for packaging. As new volunteers come on-board we create a learning atmosphere for them to learn from the contracted experts by in the course of using the materials in production. On the contrary, as we will additionally embark on trading in eco-products, some of the volunteers may choose to exhibit their knowledge and skills and to that regard will be a benefit to them and the organization. I notices individual’s challenges as they connect to us in the form of cost of transportation; food; water; refreshment touched me to make provision to pay these individuals a token of appreciation for their contribution every month to motivate them as we boost their morale in their quest to consistently volunteering.  

NIL

My team entails three(3) contractors; five (5) part-time workers; and two (2) full-time workers. others occasionally participate in voluntary work at the venue.

I and my supportive team share the same vision of adhering to economic loop in a sustainable fashion. I and my supportive team are endowed in terms of skills, background and experience with talents (inborn); electronic engineering; telecommunication; microcomputer technology; international business management; marketing; database management; web-design and software engineering; green earth advocacy; ICT trainer and facilitator; coding education; and business administration. 

Currently we indirectly partner one organization for the purpose of exchange of innovative knowledge, skills and talents.   

I run an enterprise that partly for profit and non-profit. The non-profit aspect is geared towards advocacy for circular economy practice while the profit aspect is geared toward trading with businesses that apply to circular economy practice in terms of sales and distribution of ecofriendly goods and services gratify the needs of consumers sustainably.

Demographically, I target all which includes the different income levels due to the ecological impact and consumption decision attached. 

I intend to fund my work by means of donations; trading in ecofriendly products, services and ideas; and perhaps if required raised an investment capital in order to realize my objectives and goals in a long-run sustainable. I believe if I well plan and budget I will be able to meet my revenue target and expected expenses – my worse performance is to break-even. 

I am applying to SOLVE because they share my vision using talents, knowledge, attitudes, skills, and innovations to find sustainable solutions the world’s pressing needs. I belief SOLVE can help me to overcome some barriers such as necessary publicity through financial, coaching and collaborative assistance. I belief SOLVE will provide monitoring, evaluation and report sharing in order to advance my work of loop economy advocacy. If selected, i will expect to receive $1.5 million or any appreciable negotiable amount to support my course as a solver. I see myself as an enterprise with an established product, service, or business model rolled out, which is poised for further growth in multiple communities. The value I expect to derive from enterprise stage is enormous in that there will be change of attitudes and believes by community, nationally, regionally and globally; reduce unemployment by engaging people into production and distribution of NECO clocks of all sizes to all sectors – prices ranging from $50 depending on the size; promotion of domestic and home companies who engage in circular economy practice by promoting and selling their products and service; advertising the good companies on the e-clock (NECO Clock) media and copyright benefits.  

I need partners that can support me with means to mobilize people to engage in tree planting exercise in a form of giving back to nature; access to portable offices; supply of wood; long-life-cycle wall clock engines or solar chargeable wall clock engines; long-life batteries; special artistic paint and paint brushes; labeled packaging boxes; integrators of the e-clock into the media landscape; and trade in reused eco-products. However, if none of the above partner is available then sign me on the Funding and revenue model. 

I want to partner an organization that share our vision such as ecologically conscious organization who produce and trade in ecofriendly products and services and occasionally supports circular economy advocates. 

We will efficiently, effectively but strategically utilize the AI Prize in that we will reorganize our structures and cultures as we embark on expansion - integrating all the necessary sustainable state-of-the-art technologies in order to achieve the economic and ecological goals sustainably. 

I belief we should be considered for the GM Prize on Circular Economy because my solution is helping communities and some industries to shift towards a more circular economy through zero waste (example is a waste management company - Zoom Lion Ghana Ltd) and zero carbon by industries who have currently implement the Circular Research and Development - including through STEM education for new design and manufacturing techniques.  

We will efficiently, effectively but strategically utilize the Women Prize in that we reorganize women and girls of all cultural and religious backgrounds. Our contagious innovation attracts motivates more women and girls – willing to voluntarily partake in the CE advocacy. However we are looking forward to empowering more women in the level of 60 percent into our task force as they seek to find sustainable pressing global solutions. This is indeed shaping their life and hence reducing burdensome lifestyle while improving their quality of life. 

I belief we should be considered for the Innospark Ventures Prize  because my solution team have a unique way of  integrating science, technology and culture in tour quest to solving the world’s pressing needs. My team has a pedigree of aesthetically integrating education of technology and nature to equip children especially in Ghana in problem solving by engaging them in scratch programming. To these effects, the children ethically and responsibly learn how to live in harmony with nature in a sustainable fashion. Currently report shows that about 60 percent of these trained people are implementing the maintenance culture which is exhibiting repair and reuse while adapting the use of microcomputers (to reduce technology waste  and reducing  pressure on our natural resources) such as Raspberry Pi – an AI-based solutions for data security management.