The Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited, Dr Eric Asubonteng, has urged graduates of the UPSA to exhibit the highest standards of integrity and professionalism as they set out to pursue their dreams and develop their careers.
He noted that integrity is an indispensable “ingredient” in building a robust foundation for the country’s development.
Dr Asubonteng observed that it is increasingly becoming impossible to find people of integrity in today’s world of work. This he described as worrying.
“Integrity is one of the key ingredients we lack most in our society hence, our inability as a country to build strong institutions that are needed for the development we all yearn for,” he told graduands at the Third Session of the 14th Congregation on Tuesday.
“As you go into the uncertain world of work, let your unblemished integrity be what differentiates you in whatever you choose to do with your life beyond UPSA.”
The Congregation Speaker also urged the graduates to improve their ICT skills in order to capitalize on the plethora of opportunities presented by emerging technologies.
He explained that this is the surest way for young graduates to remain relevant within their chosen fields of endeavour.
“I urge you to embrace the new technologies and adapt to them so you are not left behind,” he urged. “Limiting yourself to the traditional means of offering your professional services alone could potentially render you irrelevant in today’s world.”
Dr Asubonteng also advised the fresh graduates to use the knowledge, skills and exposure gained from UPSA to create businesses for themselves and others as they hit the road of life to pursue their dreams.
“I know the logical next step for most of you is to secure a job with an established company where you can have the security of a monthly salary. With the increasing number of graduates competing for the limited job opportunities, I urge you not to limit yourself to the nine to five jobs,” he said.
“You need to be bold and venture into entrepreneurship. The qualifications and training you have gained from UPSA give you a solid foundation.”
In sharing lessons from his professional journey, Dr. Asubonteng asked the graduands to constantly seek to improve upon themselves by equipping themselves with new knowledge.
“Whatever organisation or industry you find yourself in, I urge you to try to intimately understand the business and its value drivers. In doing so, you will be able to make valuable input into how the business or organisation can grow. It is that value-added input you make that will ensure you remain relevant to the business or organisation.”
