By Buertey Francis BORYOR
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, has called on the November 2024 graduating class of Nobel International Business School (NiBS) to defy technological norms that constrain business potential and embrace innovative strategies to unlock growth opportunities.
“Challenging technological orthodoxies is a global imperative that is unfolding everywhere. I, therefore, encourage all of you graduates to look beyond accepted practices and explore new possibilities and uncharted territories. Lead change into the future. Innovation knows no boundaries.
“History has shown that those willing to question the status quo redefine the rules of the game. It is time to challenge the technologies orthodoxies that limit the potentials of your companies and organisations. Cultivate a bold vision, develop well-defined strategies, execute flawlessly and always be ready to measure and adjust,” she elaborated.
Dr. Mrs. Asare, guest speaker at the NiBS graduation ceremony held in Accra, said the future belongs to those who are willing to question the status quo and set new standards for innovation.
She further emphasised that the time is ripe for Ghana’s ‘born globals’—businesses with the potential to compete internationally from inception—to leverage emerging digital technologies to expand and succeed in global markets.
“The way a company thinks today should not be limited by geographic borders. It is about seeing the whole world as your playground and not just a place you live,” she said.
Dr. Asare stressed that challenging established norms is not limited to advanced economies, noting that any country, regardless of its economic status, can achieve transformation through individuals and businesses willing to think innovatively and differently.
“With an iterative approach to learning and improvement, it is possible to redefine industries and create new technological realities regardless of geographic origin,” she added.
The NiBS November 2024 graduation ceremony was on the theme ‘Born Global- Innovators Without Borders’, highlighting the country’s need to transition to a knowledge-based economy.
It was to honour the Class of 2024 students who had fulfilled the requirements of the statutes and regulations of NiBS and its affiliates, and have also met the accreditation requirements as approved by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
12 students graduated with Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) certificates, while seven others graduated with Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
Also, a total of 29 persons were recipients of certificates in various certified professional programmes- having been found worthy both in character and in learning.
The Founder and President of Nobel International Business School, Prof. Kweku Atuahene-Gima, in his keynote address, urged the graduates—most of whom are business owners and CEOs—to leverage the skills they have acquired to innovate and prepare not only for today, but also for the future.
“Let your degree be incensed for you to explore both for today and tomorrow. In literature of innovation, this approach to running an organisation is called “ambidextrous leadership”, which simply means you have to run an organisation today, but at the same time you have to transform its for tomorrow,” he explained.