By Florence Afriyie Mensah
Kumasi, March 21, GNA – Managers of higher learning institutions, especially business schools, have been tasked to ensure that students are trained to make decisions that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gains.
Mr Patrick Kwasi Appiah, Group Chief Executive Officer of Osons Chemist, who made the call, said business education had evolved significantly over the years, moving from traditional models of teaching finance, management and marketing to more dynamic and purpose-driven approaches that integrated sustainability, ethics, leadership, innovation, and corporate responsibility.
“Today, the world’s most successful businesses are not those that maximize profit but those that align profitability with purpose ensuring long-term sustainability for both businesses and society.
Our responsibility as educators and institutions is to equip students with the right skills, knowledge, and values to lead in this new era of business,” he stated.
Mr Appiah made the call at the official launch of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the School of Business of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.
He cautioned that as society navigated an ever-evolving global economy, it was imperative that business education not only focused on probability and market competitiveness, but also on creating value that was socially responsible, economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
Again, institutions must foster innovation and entrepreneurship, adding that, by nurturing creativity and critical thinking, the business school helped students develop innovative solutions to societal challenges.
Mr Appiah called on the KSB to build strong industry partnerships to enable business graduates to be prepared for the realities of the workforce while contributing to national and global development.
The anniversary is themed: “20 Years of Excellence in Business Education: Building Capability and Resilience for Sustainable Development”.
Professor Ahmed Agyapong, Dean, KNUST School of Business, said the School had evolved over the past two decades and it was now considered as one of Africa’s leading business schools, producing top-tier graduates who contributed to socio-economic development locally and globally.
Notwithstanding, the giant strides the School was making, he noted, “there existed this skills gap, which is prevalent across Ghanaian tertiary institutions, limiting graduates’ ability to secure and thrive in decent job opportunities.”
Prof Agyapong said to bridge the employability gap and enhance competency-based training, KSB was committed to strengthening practical education in entrepreneurship, information technology, technical, and soft skills.
This required dedicated infrastructure -ICT labs, skills training centers, and artificial intelligence (AI) laboratories as well as faculty development programmes in emerging technologies, such as Al and industry-relevant software.
The Dean also said the School was facilitating faculty exchange programmes with corporate partners and global institutions to further enrich knowledge transfer and practical exposure.
In addition, KSB has commenced the process of establishing a state-of-the-art 200-unit computer laboratory to strengthen digital literacy and technical training.
Prof. Charles Ofosu Marfo, Provost, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, KNUST, observed that the KSB’s dedication to competency-based training, industry partnerships, and technological advancements would be critical in addressing emerging challenges and ensuring its continuous relevance in the global business arena.
He used the occasion to rally support from all stakeholders to support the School’s vision, particularly in establishing world-class training centers and expanding opportunities for students through initiatives including the Endowment Fund.
GNA
KOM/LAA