The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Professor John Kwaku Mawutor, has urged graduates to move beyond the traditional mindset of seeking employment and instead leverage their acquired knowledge and skills to establish businesses, solve societal problems and create employment opportunities.

According to him, Ghana needs innovative and entrepreneurial graduates who can apply their academic knowledge to address challenges, strengthen institutions and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Professor Mawutor made the call during the university's 18th Congregation Ceremony for graduates of the Faculty of Management Studies, held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in Accra.

“Do not see yourselves as only job seekers. Please use your knowledge to build businesses because Ghana needs it. Solve problems, strengthen institutions, and create opportunities for others,” he urged.

He emphasised that academic qualifications alone were insufficient to guarantee success in today's competitive and rapidly changing business environment, stressing the importance of continuous learning, adaptability, integrity and competence.

The Vice-Chancellor encouraged the graduates to remain open to new ideas, challenge existing assumptions and develop the capacity to respond effectively to changing circumstances in their respective professional fields.

“You have to keep learning, question assumptions, and be willing to adapt,” he advised.
Professor Mawutor further urged the graduates to build their professional reputations on competence rather than personal connections, noting that integrity and service remained essential ingredients for sustainable career growth.

“Wherever your careers take you, let competence earn you respect, not connections. Let integrity sustain it, and service give your work meaning,” he stated.

He also encouraged the graduates to demonstrate leadership through responsible decision-making, innovation and a commitment to making positive contributions to society.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Mawutor disclosed that a total of 1,340 students had graduated from the Faculty of Management Studies, comprising 1,009 undergraduate students and 305 diploma students.

Giving a breakdown of the academic performances, he indicated that 51 undergraduate students obtained First Class honours, 349 secured Second Class Upper, 333 received Second Class Lower, 198 obtained Third Class, while 87 graduated with Passes.

For the diploma category, 14 students obtained Distinction, 174 received Credit, while 117 graduated with Passes.

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The valedictorian, Miss Oluchi Ada Ekezie, who graduated with First Class honours in Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.90, encouraged her colleagues to remain focused, determined and committed to achieving their aspirations.

In her address, she reflected on the sacrifices, perseverance and hard work that had contributed to their academic achievements.

She reminded the graduating class that their current accomplishments should not define the limits of their future potential, urging them to pursue greater opportunities with confidence and purpose.

Miss Ekezie further emphasised that leadership was not merely about occupying positions of authority but about demonstrating initiative, accepting responsibility and making meaningful contributions wherever they found themselves.

She encouraged her colleagues to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and to remain resilient as they entered the next phase of their lives.

As part of the ceremony, the President of the UPSA Alumni Association, Francis Dadzie, led the graduating students in taking the Alumni Oath, formally welcoming them into the university's alumni community.

The Chairman of the ceremony also congratulated the graduates on their academic achievements and encouraged them to apply their knowledge with discipline, professionalism and integrity.

He described their academic degrees as awards rather than rewards, reminding them that their qualifications came with responsibilities to society and the institutions they would serve.



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