By Ernest Nutsugah, GNA
Accra, May 27, GNA – Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, Vice-Chancellor, University of Professional Studies, Accra, (UPSA) on Tuesday urged tertiary institutions to delve into sustainability research, innovation and ethical leadership training to develop practical solutions to contemporary challenges of society.
Speaking at the opening of the 11th International Conference on Business Management and Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED) 2026, at UPSA in Accra, he said universities should not be detached from the realities of industry and society while corporate bodies sought solutions to real business problems.
The two-day event brought together academics and industry experts to share knowledge on Environmental, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) issues. It was on the theme: “ESG & Sustainability in Focus: What Does It Mean for Africa and Global Trade?”.
Prof Mawutor described the ICBMED as part of various initiatives at the university to strengthen UPSA’s standing as a flagship research hub in areas of business, entrepreneurship, policy engagement, and sustainability thought leadership.
Higlighting the importance of the ESG, he noted that companies that ignored sustainability issues risked losing competitiveness on the global market.
“Sustainability is not only about protecting the future; it is about building economies that are resilient, businesses that are ethical… Africa must see sustainability as an opportunity to redefine development according to our own realities, priorities and aspirations,” he said.
He observed that ESG principles could become a catalyst for industrial transformation and called for African solutions to African challenges.
The Vice Chancellor expressed confidence that the conference would present research papers that addressed pressing needs of corporate bodies.
Mr Elikem Kotoko, the Deputy Chief Executive, Forestry Commission, said EGS standards were becoming a requirement for global market access, and should be considered as “a strategic pathway” towards industrial transformation, and trade competitiveness.
“Competitiveness today is not determined solely by productivity and price, it is shaped by how businesses manage environmental risk; how ethically they treat workers and communities, and how transparently and effectively they govern their operations.
“Investors no longer ask ‘what is their return; they also ask what is the environmental and social impact,” he said.
Mr Kotoko added that businesses that did not provide credible ESG data could lose access to international financing and investment opportunities, while those that adapted tended to attract sustainable capital.
To that end, he said the Forestry Commission was supporting Ghanaian exporters to meet international due diligence and sustainability requirements in the sector.
“ESG is not about adopting foreign ideas soley because the world demands it; it is because positioning Africa within a globally changing economy where transparency, sustainability and accountability increasingly determine economic relevance,” he added.
Professor Alexander Preko, Director, Research and Consultancy Centre, UPSA, said ICBMED would become a continental hub for interdisciplinary research, innovation, and enterpreneurship.
He expressed the University’s readiness to support sustainable business practices, and partnerships that create value for society.
The conference included sessions on sustainability, digital transformation, enterpreneurship, governance, communication and responsible leadership.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Ernest Nutsugah
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