Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II
The Paramount Chief of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, has called for the establishment of stronger support systems to enable university graduates to venture into entrepreneurship instead of relying solely on the limited opportunities in the formal job market.
According to the Okyenhene, although many young people graduate from universities with the requisite academic qualifications, they often lack the financial, institutional and technical support needed to establish their own businesses.
He stressed that creating opportunities for graduates to become entrepreneurs would not only address youth unemployment but also contribute significantly to the nation’s economic growth and development.
“The future of Ghana and Africa depends largely on our ability to produce graduates who are not merely degree holders, but critical thinkers, innovators, ethical leaders and job creators,” he said.
The Okyenhene made the remarks when Garden City University (GCU) at Kenyasi in the Ashanti Region held an investiture ceremony for its new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Kwesi Ofori. The ceremony coincided with the university’s 18th Congregation.
Addressing graduates, students, academics and invited guests, Osagyefo Ofori Panin urged young people to take advantage of every opportunity to acquire knowledge, develop critical thinking skills and prepare themselves for responsible leadership.
He emphasised that success in life depended largely on adequate preparation, drawing parallels between academic achievement and other aspects of life.
The Okyenhene described education as the most sustainable investment any nation could make, noting that it remained the surest path to transforming individual lives and national fortunes.
Using the journey of the newly installed Vice-Chancellor as an example, he said Professor Ofori’s rise from Kyebi to the helm of one of the nation’s respected private universities demonstrated the transformative power of education.
According to him, the appointment should inspire young Ghanaians to pursue excellence through discipline, sacrifice, determination and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
The Okyenhene further challenged Professor Ofori to build on the achievements of his predecessors and position Garden City University among Africa’s leading centres of higher learning.
For his part, Professor Eric Kwesi Ofori, unveiled his strategic vision for the university over the next five years under the theme, “An Entrepreneurial GCU for Quality and Inclusive Tertiary Education, Infrastructural Advancement, Internationalisation and Staff Motivation.”
He said institutions that would shape the future of higher education in Africa would not necessarily be the biggest, but those capable of adapting to change, embracing innovation and pursuing purposeful development.
Professor Ofori explained that his vision would be anchored on three strategic pillars: producing graduates who create value and solve societal problems rather than merely seeking employment; fostering an entrepreneurial culture among staff characterised by innovation, accountability and continuous improvement; and implementing a Ten-Year Development and Maintenance Plan to ensure sustainable infrastructural growth.
He also appealed to the government to extend greater support to private universities by granting them access to the Book and Research Allowance, arguing that such assistance would strengthen research and improve the quality of tertiary education.
The Vice-Chancellor further called on traditional authorities, alumni and corporate organisations to partner with the university in providing land, housing and other infrastructure to support its long-term development agenda.
A Daily Guide Report