By Paul Eduarko Richardson
Accra, Feb. 12, GNA – Graduates of the University of Ghana have been urged to regard their degrees as a responsibility to serve society and create lasting impact.
Mrs. Mabel Nana Nyarkoa Porbley, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Sanlam Allianz General Insurance Ghana Limited, made the call as Guest Speaker at the University’s February 2026 Congregation.
She was addressing the second batch of graduands, comprising Master’s students from the School of Graduate Studies.
“Today you join a proud tradition of the University of Ghana alumni who are shaping Ghana, Africa and the world. Some of you will lead corporations. Some will pioneer research. Some will serve in public office. Some will quietly transform communities.
“Whatever path you choose, remember this, your degree is not just a certificate; it is a responsibility – a responsibility to use knowledge for good, to uplift and impact others, and to leave footprints worth following,” she told them.
Mrs. Porbley encouraged the graduates to start from their current stage in life and build steadily, lead beyond titles, guard integrity as a personal brand, embrace collaboration over competition, and accept uncertainty as an opportunity for innovation.
She said her transition into the insurance industry, despite having no prior background in the field, had taught her the value of continuous learning, teamwork, and systems building.
“With the right mindset and the willingness to take a chance on yourself, you can land opportunities just by believing in yourself,” she said.
Mrs Porbley urged the graduates to take responsibility for their choices, seek mentorship, cultivate reliability, and remain resilient in the face of setbacks.
She called on them to stay curious, show gratitude, remain united, and build the nation with strength, dignity, shared purpose and opportunities.
This would ensure a “society that is constructed on a solid foundation of love and national pride, a legacy of a country which we would be able to leave for our children and their children.”
“Today, as you receive your certificates and step out into the world and onto the big stage, ask yourselves these few questions. Who am I today? And what kind of person do I want to be tomorrow? Know that all the answers may not come to you immediately. And that’s okay.
“But never stop asking yourselves until you have answers. And then when you think you have the answers, keep asking yourselves anyway. Because the answers you might have today may change for you tomorrow,” Mrs. Porbley emphasised.
Mr. Prince Collins Darko, who graduated with a Master of Philosophy in Archaeology and Heritage Studies and was Valedictorian among the graduands, extolled determination, perseverance, consistency, integrity, humility and gratitude as values that had contributed to his success.
He reminded the graduands to regard their graduation as the beginning of greater responsibility and service to the nation and encouraged them to pursue their careers with commitment and confidence.
Professor Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, commended the graduands for their academic achievements and urged them to serve as worthy ambassadors of the University of Ghana in the wider world.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey