One of the leading telecommunication companies operating in Ghana, Tigo on Friday organized a business forum for students of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to inspire them to become great entrepreneurs after school.

The business forum, which was themed, “Creating a future of wealth,” was a collaborative effort of Tigo and the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the university.

Addressing the students at the newly-built auditorium 900, the Assistant Registrar of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Fetus Nyame charged the students not to limit themselves but positively explore and challenge their minds to do greater things.

He further urged them not to abandon their motherland in pursuit of greener pastures since a lot of opportunities exist in the country. Mr. Nyame advised the students not to rush to become wealthy but assess themselves critically before taking decisions.

The Deputy Head of Ecobank Development Cooperation Investment Limited, Paul Kofi Mantey, who took the students through a presentation on how they could raise capital to start a new business, encouraged the students not to shy away from asking their friends and family for money to start business.

He encouraged the students not to wait until they complete school before they set up businesses, adding “you will be millionaires by the time you graduate”. Mr Mantey observed that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UT Bank, Kofi Amoabeng, borrowed money from his friends to start the bank, which is one of the best performing financial institutions in the country and challenged the students to emulate his exemplary example.

Explaining the rationale behind the programme, the Marketing and Communication Specialist of Tigo for the Western Territory, James Nyarko stated that the programme was aimed at complimenting government’s efforts at addressing joblessness among graduates in the country.

He stated that the programme, which is part of Tigo’s corporate social responsibility, is to help develop tertiary students in the country to reduce unemployment in the country.

Mr Nyarko noted that only a few students who graduate from the various tertiary institutions in the country secure jobs, hence the need to teach them to create jobs rather than depend on the oil companies, telecommunication companies and banks, among others for jobs.

He disclosed that the programme will be held in other tertiary institutions across the country.