HRM Ohempon Dr Yeboah Asiamah, Paramount Chief of the Atebubu Traditional Area, has called on young people to look beyond academic qualifications alone and transform their ideas, ambitions and creativity into sustainable enterprises that create jobs and contribute to Ghana’s economic development. The call was made on Thursday, 17 September 2026, during the UPSA 1000 & Ghana Entrepreneurship Conference, organised in partnership with the Bola Ray Institute under the theme, “1000 Dreams, One Ghana: Turning Ambition to Enterprise.”
Delivering the keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among young people. He said unemployment should not be accepted as inevitable, but confronted through innovation, enterprise and practical problem-solving.
Professor Mawutor called for a shift from an education system focused primarily on preparing young people to seek employment to one that equips them with the practical skills, confidence and entrepreneurial capacity to create opportunities for themselves and others.
“We want to teach our young people how to fish, rather than simply giving them fish,” he said, underscoring the importance of developing capabilities that enable young people to build sustainable livelihoods.
The Vice-Chancellor further noted that establishing a business was only the beginning of the entrepreneurial journey. He urged aspiring entrepreneurs to build resilient enterprises capable of enduring beyond their founders and continuing to create value, employment and opportunities for future generations.
Addressing the conference, HRM Ohempon Dr Yeboah Asiamah, Paramount Chief of the Atebubu Traditional Area, encouraged participants to view entrepreneurship as a practical response to challenges within their communities.
“The true measure of leadership is not the position you occupy, but the problems you solve for your people,” he said. He urged young people to pay closer attention to everyday challenges and identify opportunities to develop relevant and sustainable solutions.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Joan Selasi Ahiawordor, also emphasised the importance of translating ideas into action. She noted that although innovative ideas were essential, disciplined execution, sound decision-making and perseverance ultimately determined their impact.
She encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to seek mentorship, learn from setbacks and remain focused on developing solutions that address genuine needs within their communities.
The five-day conference brings together students, entrepreneurs, policymakers, business leaders and other stakeholders for practical conversations on enterprise development, innovation and job creation. It forms part of UPSA’s broader commitment to developing graduates who are not only prepared to pursue existing opportunities but are also equipped to create new ones.
