By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA
Accra, June 6, GNA – Mr Bernard Avle, General Manager of Citi FM and Channel One TV, has urged graduates of Academic City University to prioritise impact, integrity and innovation as they pursue their professional careers.
He said Africa’s future depended on leaders committed to solving real societal challenges.
Mr Avle was speaking at the fifth congregation ceremony of the Academic City University in Accra on Friday where some 157 students were awarded various degrees.
The group comprised four master’s graduates and 153 undergraduate students.
He challenged the graduating Class of 2026 to pursue purpose over personal gain and use their education to create meaningful change in society.
The values of excellence, integrity and innovation, which underpinned Academic City’s philosophy, were the same principles that had guided the growth and success of Citi FM and Channel One TV over the years, he said.
Drawing parallels between the media organisation and the University, Mr Avle noted that both institutions had built their reputations by investing in young talents and nurturing innovation.
He recounted how Citi FM entered Ghana’s competitive media landscape in 2004 as an underdog, relying largely on young graduates and inexperienced broadcasters rather than established media personalities.
The strategy attracted scepticism from industry observers but eventually proved successful, much like the famed “Class of ’92” assembled by former Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Mr Avle said his own journey from a young trainee broadcaster to becoming one of Ghana’s most recognised media personalities demonstrated the value of investing in youth and creating opportunities for emerging talent.
He praised Academic City’s leadership, particularly its President and Provost, Professor Fred McBagonluri, for championing an educational model that combines academic rigour with practical industry relevance.
The Broadcaster commended the University for introducing innovative programmes in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, nuclear engineering and unmanned aerial systems, describing the move as evidence of its commitment to preparing graduates for future challenges.
Mr Avle recalled visiting the University during the COVID-19 pandemic when students and lecturers collaborated to develop low-cost ventilators to support Ghana’s healthcare response, describing the initiative as a reflection of the institution’s problem-solving culture.
He said Academic City’s greatest measure of success would not be the beauty of its campus or the range of programmes it offered but the impact its graduates made in their communities, workplaces and nations.
“The ultimate test of this institution’s relevance is the impact of its products in a world that desperately needs genuine leaders,” he stated.
Mr Avle observed that many of Ghana’s challenges required leaders who could combine competence, empathy and selflessness in addressing complex social and economic problems.
He, therefore, encouraged graduates to resist the temptation of pursuing wealth alone and instead focus on opportunities that created value and improved lives.
Advising the graduates to “follow their hearts,” he urged them to pursue their passions, seek solutions to pressing challenges and remain guided by truth, integrity and service.
Mr Avle also encouraged the graduates to build on the knowledge, networks and experiences gained during their studies, reminding them that the most important examination lay ahead in the real world.
“Academic City has invested greatly in you. It is now your responsibility to let your light shine and become the leaders our nation, continent, and world need,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku
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