Senior Partner at AB & David Law Africa and distinguished alumnus of Nobel International Business School (NiBS), Dr. David Ofosu-Dorte has urged doctoral graduates to rise beyond academic achievement and become agents of transformational change across the African continent.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held in Accra, Dr. Ofosu-Dorte challenged the graduates to leverage their knowledge and influence to drive sustainable development and shape Africa’s future in meaningful ways.
“You must solve African problems with African ideas,” he declared. “Knowledge must be contextual and practical. Otherwise, it only becomes a means of repeating foreign theories that often miss the mark.”
He encouraged the graduating class to see their doctoral degrees not as shields from life’s realities but as tools for solving them.
“The problems you left behind before coming here today are still waiting for you,” he warned. “Your new title is not magic—it is simply a tool. What matters is how you use it.”
Dr. Ofosu-Dorte cautioned against blindly applying foreign solutions to local problems, noting that many African leaders fail because they rely on imported models that don’t align with local contexts.
“Transformation begins now, not in some distant future,” he said. “Leadership is about solving yesterday’s problems today and making the solutions useful for tomorrow.”
He also urged the graduates to lead with courage, humility, and purpose—stressing that transformation requires passion, not just theory.
Chancellor of NiBS, Dr. George Nana Agyekum Donkor, congratulated the graduates on their achievement and encouraged them to use their knowledge to build Africa’s future.
“Africa’s rise will not happen by accident. It will be led by men and women like you—people with vision and a deep sense of purpose,” he said.
He stated that the university’s mission is to develop ethical and practical business leaders, combining academic excellence with real-world industry experience.
“Our goal is to produce leaders who think critically, act responsibly, and create solutions that serve society,” Dr. Donkor stated. “Your education is not for personal gain alone. It is for Africa.”
He also called on the graduates to build businesses that create jobs, drive innovation, and uplift the vulnerable.
The ceremony, held under the theme “Leaders of Thought, Architects of Growth,” marked a significant milestone for the institution, which received its Presidential Charter in June 2024.
In total, 55 students graduated—30 were awarded Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees, and 25 received Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Benjamin Sackey
