The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has deepened its commitment to practical, values-driven entrepreneurship with the hosting of the Cultural Diplomat Impact Conference 2026 under the theme, “Identity Is Your Advantage.”
The one-day conference, held at the UPSA Main Auditorium on Monday February, 2026, forms part of the mandatory Entrepreneurship course for all first-year students, a flagship initiative aligned with the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of making entrepreneurship not just an academic subject but a lived experience.
Under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, the University has made entrepreneurship a mandatory component of its academic structure, designed to equip every student, regardless of discipline, with entrepreneurial thinking, ethical grounding and global relevance.
Addressing the students, Prof Mawutor stressed that in a fast-growing and highly competitive environment, what sets individuals apart is not merely their academic qualifications but their authenticity and integrity.
“Your identity is who you are,” he stated. He warned that identity without integrity is dangerous and urged students to anchor their ambitions in strong moral and spiritual values.
According to him, when ethics and entrepreneurship are combined, they produce sustainable success and meaningful societal impact.
“Your values should be grounded in God and eschew any shortcuts to success,” he advised, adding that the fusion of ethics and entrepreneurship produces sustainable impact.
The conference brought together an influential array of speakers spanning diplomacy, business, media and the creative arts.
This, the Vice-Chancellor explained, was deliberately curated to expose students to diverse pathways of leadership and enterprise.
Cultural Diplomat and event organiser, Kuukua Eshun, challenged students to rise above mediocrity and see themselves as future global influencers.
“You are not here as participants. You are here as emerging leaders and the future,” she said.
She urged them to dream boldly and remain focused on their long-term goals. “It doesn’t matter how your story begins, but focus on how your story will end,” she encouraged.
Entrepreneur, Mr Ade Adebajo, delivered a candid reflection on identity in the age of social media, cautioning students against chasing curated lifestyles that lack substance.
He stressed that self-discovery begins with self-awareness and intentional associations.
“The world does not need more photocopies of others but authentic people,” he remarked, encouraging students to build identities that leave lasting footprints.
Actress and entrepreneur, Temi Adebajo, reinforced the need for alignment between identity and purpose, noting that a weak sense of identity often leads individuals to constantly shift opinions just to fit in.
She urged students to develop clarity of purpose to strengthen conviction and resilience.
Project Lead for Entrepreneurship with Bola Ray, Alex Brown, defined identity as self-awareness and reminded students of its spiritual dimension.
“Your greatest identity is determined by your Maker, so never lose touch with your Maker,” he advised.
The Cultural Diplomat Impact Conference brought together more than 3,000 students and young entrepreneurs to reflect on personal values, leadership and purpose.
Through this initiative, UPSA continues to position entrepreneurship as a mindset rooted in authenticity, proving that in today’s competitive world, identity truly is an advantage.
