By Kodjo Adams, Francis Mensah
Accra, Feb. 11, GNA – Mr Vish Ashiagbor, the Country Senior Partner, Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) Ghana, has advised graduates of the University of Ghana to take full advantage of digital tools, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to be abreast of emerging technologies.
A 2024 survey, conducted by PwC and other partners, revealed that Ghana lagged behind her African and global counterparts in the adoption of AI, especially by private companies, he said.
He, therefore, urged the graduates to use the knowledge and the skills acquired to solve problems and to deliver outcomes that enhanced the lives and livelihoods of the citizens.
Mr Ashiagbor gave the advice on Tuesday as Guest Speaker of the 2025 Congregation of the School of Graduate Studies, University of Ghana, Accra.
The simultaneous congregation of all the schools saw a total of 15,750 students graduating , of which 123 were PhD students and 3,444 with master’s degrees.
The rest were 11,067 for undergraduate programmes, while 1,116 graduated with diploma certificates.
Mr Ashiagbor said even though the survey showed that over the last four months, 68 per cent of Ghana’s chief executive officers had adopted AI, compared to 72 per cent across Africa and 83 per cent globally, more remained to be done to take advantage of the digital space.
Statistics showed that Ghana was currently incorporating and increasing the use of AI in operating models and would continue to revolutionise the digital space.
“We can solve the existential threat of environmental challenges and climate change using a multidisciplinary approach that draws on social-behavioural change, legal and regulatory initiatives, as well as scientific and technological innovations,” he said.
He charged the graduates to work as a team rather than on their own to broaden their knowledge and horizon.
“You must remain open to different perspectives and embrace diversity in all its forms.”
Mr Ashiagbor encouraged them to use their acquired skills to impact society positively for sustainable development,
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Vice-Chancellor, said the University would continue to make significant strides to achieve global impact through innovative research, teaching and learning, and using technology-driven and people-centred approach.
The University was ranked first in Ghana, first in West Africa, and third in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan rankings.
The achievements, she said, highlighted the University’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence, student engagement and ethical leadership.
The University of Ghana launched its new strategic plan, which was to run for five years from 2024 to 2029.
The strategic plan has five priorities, which are transformative student experience, impactful research, commitment to faculty and staff, engagement and partnerships, and sustainable resource utilisation and stewardship.
Dr Gideon Atinga Akolgo, the Best Graduating PhD Student in Chemistry, commended all who supported his academic journey and pledged to apply the knowledge acquired to the development of the country.
GNA