The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has welcomed a delegation from the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) to discuss a new initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among students across the university.
Leading the delegation, Dean of the KNUST School of Business Professor Ahmed Agyapong said the GNCCI believes partnering with the University to equip students with practical entrepreneurial skills, was part of a broader effort to address graduate unemployment and nurture a new generation of business leaders.
He added that the initiative initially presumed to be commence as a Business School-focused programme, the GNCCI clarified that the intervention would span the entire student population, prompting KNUST to elevate the collaboration to a university-wide partnership.
“When we understood that the GNCCI’s vision was broader than just the School of Business, we knew it had to be coordinated at the institutional level,” he said. “We are working toward formalizing the agreement through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and as well launch the initiative soon. We’re excited about the potential this partnership holds for all our students.”
The President of the Chamber Stephane Miezan expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed the Chamber’s dedication to student entrepreneurship.
“When we assumed office, we observed that political parties have clubs in tertiary institutions. One of our key objectives was therefore to create Junior Chambers in tertiary institutions to encourage students to channel their leadership and creative energy into business.” the President said. “We believe that by engaging them early, before graduation, they can be better prepared to start ventures or add value in the job market. We have launched this initiative across other universities in every city, and we want to do same here at KNUST.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson welcomed the GNCCI team and praised the initiative for aligning closely with the university’s strategic focus on entrepreneurship training.
“At KNUST, our mission goes beyond teaching and research. We are deeply invested in producing entrepreneurs,” she said. “We want to ensure that when our students graduate, they are not just job seekers but job creators.”
Professor Dickson said that the alarming rate of unemployment affects not only Ghana, but it is a global disease, and KNUST always support any move that will help nurture entrepreneurs.
She mentioned existing initiatives that KNUST has taken up to champion entrepreneurship among students, including the 1Department,1Startup policy mandating all departments to support at least one student startup annually; the Student Entrepreneurship Fund, where each student contributes to finance peer-led business initiatives; the Entrepreneurship Challenge, which awards seed capital to student-led ventures; and the Kumasi Business Incubator, which provides hands-on support for student entrepreneurs.
“We are glad that you want to establish this initiative for the students here. We always say: if you want something to last, let those it’s meant for lead it,” the Vice-Chancellor added. “Eventually, these students will become the leaders shaping Ghana’s economic future.”
The President was accompanied by Mr. Mark Badu-Aboagye, CEO; Mr. Kwabena Abass Boakye, Kumasi Chairman; Mr. Emmanuel Boateng, Kumasi Vice- Chairman; and Peter Atsu Dotse, Head of Communications.
