By Rafiq Nungor ADAM
Professor Godwell Nhamo from the University of South Africa has challenged the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) to grow a business out of the university.
He made this call at the university’s fourth international Research and Development conference in Wa, Upper West Region.
The research conference was on the theme ‘Nine years Down the Road to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: What is on display from African businesses and other stakeholders’.
Keynote speaker for the conference Prof. Godwell Nhamo, speaking on the theme, noted that although there is limited time to achieve SDGs, African businesses and stakeholders can make a change if they re-examine the sustainable development framework.
“We have about six years left before 2030. The time has come to reflect on progress made by stakeholders, including businesses and academia, toward attaining the 17 intertwined, interlinked or related SDGs. Although limited, there is still time for African businesses and other key stakeholders to make amends, embrace the SDGs framework fully and fast-track initiatives focusing on addressing SDGs implementation at various levels – from villages to national level.”
In an interview, Prof. Godwell Nhamo challenged the university to grow business out of its premises.
“I challenge the SDD-UBIDS because it is a business university. I was saying maybe the next time I come here – as they said they want me to come back here when they reach ten years – we want to see partnerships with actual businesses; business ideas and businesses growing out of the university in partnership with the communities and businesses. If you are a business school, what shows that? We want see businesses incubated from the university with partnerships. And I do not only challenge the school of business but the entire university.”
Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university Prof. Osumanu Issaka Kanton, in his welcome address, noted the university is committed in working toward sustainable development of the community it serves – saying that it aims to influence society positively.
The guest of honour, Hon. Stephen Yakubu – Upper West Regional Minister, on his part said adopting the SDGs has opened pathways to bringing prosperity for millions of people – addressing the challenges of climate change, enhancing global security and building the world they want.
He expressed gratitude to the university for organising this year’s conference, adding that it offers a platform to reflect on how far the SDGs adopted by the United Nations in 2015 have progressed.
In his statement, Director of Research at the university Prof. Frederick Dayour noted the SDGs’ importance, noting that they serve as a universal framework for addressing the world’s most pressing social environmental and economic challenges.
He mentioned that the conference saw participation by 104 registered attendees from various universities in Ghana and beyond.
The research conference began on 15th October and will end 17th October.
