FBNBank Ghana, through its ‘Youths are the Future’ initiative, has motivated students of the University of Ghana (UG) to think outside the box, venture into entrepreneurship and create self-employment after graduation.
Management of the bank and other resources persons, in an engagement with the students at the maiden edition of the FBNBank, UG Students Fair, held at the Cedi Conference Hall, UG campus, urged the youth to dispel the notion of seeking a job after graduation and be ready to be entrepreneurs.
The FBNBank emphasised that any young person who aspires to succeed in the future must acquire some attributes such as entrepreneurial, professionalism, Innovative, and Customer-centric. It, therefore, urged the students to strive for these attributes in their study on campus to be refined before graduating.
Managing Director, FBNBank Ghana, Vincent Yaw Asante, explained to the students that they are at the most exciting point of their lives where there is ample time and energy to explore alternative opportunities, try different things and learn from the experience.
“You have the right amount of passion, energy, and freedom. Make very good use of it by investing your time and efforts into something which will make your future better. Do not expect the usual things because you are at different times. Be innovative, think outside the box, be bold, go outside your comfort zone, be entrepreneurial, and dirty your hands.
“FBNBank declared 2022 as the year of the youth. This is because we appreciate the contribution a focused and well-prepared youth cohort can do to a country within a generation. We are not only appreciative of the situation but also very well-placed to support the youth in their preparation for the future. This event gives credence to our commitment,” he said.
Furthermore, he reiterated that necessity is the mother of invention, so COVID-19 got everyone thinking out of the box because the world was faced with extraordinary circumstances. Therefore, innovation makes a huge difference, and that is exactly what FBNBank expects of the youth of Ghana.
Director, University of Ghana Careers & Counselling Centre, Rev. Dr. Bridget Ben-Naimah, indicated that the centre is mandated to take care of the Psychosocial development aspect of students, as well as career development to ensure students learn some soft skills and get exposed to the industry before graduation, hence, the job fair with FBNBank to meet these requirements.
“As part of our strategic priorities, we want to create opportunities for students to engage with industry as a way of bridging the gap between industry and academia. So, we see this initiative with FBNBank as a way of reaching that purpose where a player in the industry comes to engage with students with all their products and resources and expose them to what is expected of them in the job market,” she said.
The student forum and job fair recorded over 1,000 students from the university engaging with staff and resource persons brought in by the bank to motivate and sensitise students on the best actions to take that will help them achieve their dreams.
