Togbe Chairman, Togbe Kasa III, Dufia of Ho Ahoe; the Municipal Chief Executive of Ho Municipality, Honorable Divine Bosson; the Chief Executive Officer of Gabriel King International, Mr. Gabriel King Akpalu; the Station Officer of Area 51, Inspector Michael Akortsu; the Crime Officer of Area 51, Corporal Kwadwo Otibu Gyan; Representatives of our Landlady, Mrs. Gyimimah Senya; Senior Management of Adonai Estate Limited; the Vice-Rector, Mr. Kafui Ekeh; Staff of Adonai University College of Research and Entrepreneurship; Staff of Adonai Estate Limited and its subsidiaries; Students of Adonai University College of Research and Entrepreneurship; Guests; the Media; Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you to the maiden orientation of Adonai University College of Research and Entrepreneurship.
The theme for the day is ‘Ghana’s economic crisis: the role of Entrepreneurship Education and Career Guidance’. Ladies and gentlemen, according to the government statistician, Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, Ghana’s unemployment rate moved from 13.4% in the first quarter of 2022 to 13.9% in the second quarter of 2022. This brings to a total of 1,807,000 people out of the 13million working population, who are currently unemployed in the country. Based on the current trends of unemployment and the global economic crises that are significantly affecting our country, the likelihood of these figures rising is high and the chances of existing businesses employing people are slim. It is, therefore, incumbent on our educational system to tilt towards entrepreneurship and career guidance so that the working population can easily become self-employed and create more employment avenues. By extension, this will lead to economic growth and also a decrease in social vices as it is often said that the devil finds work for the ideal hands.
This University College has looked beyond this unemployment problem in our country to identify an opportunity to groom more entrepreneurs. We seek to empower people with entrepreneurial skills and envision becoming a world-recognized private Research and Entrepreneurship University college that provides higher educational solutions by identifying opportunities out of challenges. We intend to achieve this vision by providing relevant business, technical and professional education to students to equip them with skills for empowerment, economic transformation, and growth.
We thus have 5 dynamic departments; the Department of Business Studies, Department of Communication Studies, the Department of Hospitality Management and Health, Department of Arts, Building, Engineering and Construction, and the Department of Intelligence and Theology. These departments offer Institute of Commercial Management (ICM) accredited Advanced Diploma and Diploma courses such as Journalism and Media Studies, Human Resource Development, Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing. Some certificate courses being offered such as Graphic Designing, Pottery/Ceramics, Catering and Hospitality Management and Fashion Designing fall under the auspices of the National Technical and Vocational Education Training and Ghana Education Technical Examination Unit now COVET. Other courses include Survey, Electrical Engineering Technician, (Parts 1, 2 & 3), Security and Intelligence, Construction Technology, Construction Technician (Parts 1, 2 & 3) and Pastoral Ministry, etc. The University is similarly working to introduce the Institute of Chartered Accountants – Ghana (ICAG) courses and the Chartered Institute of Marketers – UK (CIM-UK) courses soon. The University intends to nurture young talents to gain employable skills as soon as possible. For this reason, we have sandwich courses that will run for as short as 3 months period. We also have the Womanprenuer Challenge on our academic calendar. This contest seeks to support the most realistic and workable female entrepreneur talent with the most innovative business idea. The winner will be assisted to establish her business. This challenge is open to students of this University and other Universities. The school is collaborating with the business world to secure National Service placement for students without any hustle and possibly secure them jobs (for those who want to work as employees) right after schooling here.
The University is designed to cater for regular students (Monday to Friday attendees) and Weekend students. We have virtual and physical classes to allow workers and people living outside Ho to also benefit from the school. Students who live outside Ho can access our Hostel facilities.
The Adonai University College of Research and Entrepreneurship currently has about 85 students who applied for both Advanced Diploma (Degree), Diploma, and Certificate programs while other applicants are still picking the admission forms. Admission is still ongoing until December 2022. We project to have 100 or more students by the close of this year’s admission. We have able administrative staff and competent and qualified lecturers who are willing to deliver excellent tuition to students. The school is offering an enabling teaching and learning environment to our students. Plans are far advanced to ensure that construction work commences at the main campus, located at the Adonai Estate Airport Golf City, by next academic year. The University has a scholarship scheme for students from Adaklu Wayanu, Hodzo, and its environs.
I am optimistic that students will have the best tuition here and ignite their creativity to ensure they achieve their aim of enrolling at the Adonai University College of Research and Entrepreneurship.
I wish you the very best in the academic year.
Thank you