As anticipation builds for TEDx Accra 2026—taking place on August 29 at the University of Ghana—the stage is set for a profound exploration of innovation, culture, technology, and sustainability. True to the tradition of spreading ideas that challenge perspectives and spark tangible change, organizers are proud to unveil the first four phenomenal speakers who will headline this year's conference.
Representing the pinnacle of contemporary art, environmental advocacy, tech entrepreneurship, and academic research, this initial group of speakers embodies the bold intellectual and creative momentum pulsing through Ghana and beyond.
1. Ibrahim Mahama
Renowned Artist & Cultural Vanguard
Internationally acclaimed artist Ibrahim Mahama is globally recognized for his monumental, thought-provoking installations that transform architectural landmarks and public spaces using everyday materials like jute sacks, old shoes, and discarded railway components. Beyond his striking visual art, Mahama is a visionary community builder in Accra, having founded institutions like the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park modernization initiatives, Silo City, and the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) in Tamale. On the TEDx Accra stage, Mahama will explore the intersections of history, labor, collective memory, and the enduring power of African creativity to reshape our physical and cultural environments.
2. Katia Osei
Global Advocate, The Or Foundation
A passionate driver of systemic environmental justice, Katia Osei represents The Or Foundation, a groundbreaking non-profit organization addressing the catastrophic ecological and social impacts of the global fast-fashion trade, particularly within markets like Accra’s Kantamanto Market. Osei’s work focuses heavily on championing circular economies, producer responsibility, and environmental equity. Her talk will challenge audiences to rethink consumer culture, trace the hidden human and environmental costs of our wardrobes, and look toward localized, regenerative solutions rooted in dignity and ecological preservation.
3. Desmond Offei
Founder & CEO, QuantumLink
As the Founder and CEO of QuantumLink, Desmond Offei is at the vanguard of digital transformation, business growth, and technology infrastructure in Africa. A sharp entrepreneurial mind with a deep understanding of scaling systems, Offei has dedicated his career to building high-impact tech solutions that optimize operations and bridge critical connectivity and financial divides. At TEDx Accra, he will share insights into the future of digital enterprise, the mindset required to build resilient tech frameworks from Africa for the world, and how innovation can accelerate localized economic empowerment.
4. Prof. Isaac Wiafe
Department of Computer Science, University of Ghana
Representing the academic and research backbone of innovation, Prof. Isaac Wiafe from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Ghana brings rigorous scientific inquiry to the TEDx stage. An expert in human-computer interaction, cybersecurity, and intelligent systems, Prof. Wiafe has extensively explored how technology influences human behavior, decision-making, and societal structures. His presentation will dive deep into the ethical horizons of artificial intelligence and digital integration, offering a critical academic lens on how we can responsibly harness technology to uplift communities.
Join the Conversation
This stellar lineup is only the beginning. With world-class minds converging at the University of Ghana on August 29, TEDx Accra 2026 promises an unforgettable day of inspiration, dialogue, and breakthrough perspectives.
Stay tuned as more speakers are announced in the weeks leading up to an event designed to redefine what is possible!