By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, Sept. 5, GNA – Professor Kwaku Ahenkora, Vice President of Christ Apostolic University College (CAUC), has called for stronger institutional support systems to help students transform innovative business ideas into sustainable enterprises.
He said universities, government and the private sector must go beyond teaching entrepreneurship in classrooms and establish practical structures to support students from the development of business ideas to the growth of viable enterprises.
Prof Ahenkora, a business lecturer who specialises in business strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship, made the call during the SRC Business Week celebration at CAUC on the theme: “Innovative Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development in Ghana.”
He described entrepreneurship as a critical driver of sustainable development and poverty reduction, noting that wealth creation largely depended on businesses that generated employment and economic opportunities.
“The wealth of a nation is created by its firms. Government can provide the enabling environment, but businesses are the ones that create wealth and jobs,” he said.
Prof Ahenkora urged students to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset regardless of their chosen professions, stressing that the ability to identify opportunities, create value and mobilise resources had become increasingly important in a rapidly changing economy.
He advised students to “think like entrepreneurs, execute like CEOs and focus on results,” emphasizing that strategic planning, resilience, innovation and disciplined execution were essential ingredients for organisational and business success.
According to him, the changing nature of the world of work meant graduates could no longer rely solely on formal employment, making the role of the private sector in job creation and economic expansion even more important.
Prof Ahenkora, however, cautioned against encouraging graduates to establish businesses without providing the necessary support mechanisms, citing limited mentorship, incubation opportunities and access to finance as major challenges within Ghana’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
He proposed the establishment of incubation hubs in universities to enable students to develop, test and refine business ideas while receiving mentorship and technical support before entering the wider market.
He suggested that such support should continue beyond graduation until promising businesses attained sufficient stability to operate independently.
Prof Ahenkora further recommended that universities collaborate with financial institutions, investors and private-sector organisations to provide funding and other resources to promising student-led ventures.
He also encouraged students to consider improving existing family businesses rather than focusing solely on establishing new enterprises.
He said students could apply knowledge acquired at the university to enhance operations, introduce modern management systems and strengthen the sustainability of family-owned businesses.
Using the example of small family enterprises, Prof Ahenkora said students could study the challenges and opportunities within such businesses and use their academic and professional expertise to help them grow and become more competitive.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim
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