The Chancellor of the University of Gold Coast, Bishop Dr Titi Ofei, has declared that Ghana’s greatest resource for sustainable development lies not merely in its gold and other mineral deposits, but in the knowledge, character and competence of its people.
He said the country’s ability to translate its natural resource wealth into lasting prosperity would depend on developing people capable of generating knowledge, solving complex problems and building effective institutions.
“Our gold is valuable, our land is valuable, our resources are valuable, but their lasting contribution to our prosperity depends on the character and competence of the people,” he said.
Bishop Dr Ofei made the remarks at the matriculation of of PhD candidates of the University of Gold Coast for its PhD in Business Administration programme, where he challenged doctoral students to use their research to address practical challenges confronting businesses, public institutions and communities.
He cautioned that the discovery of additional mineral deposits alone would not guarantee national prosperity, arguing that countries could possess significant natural resources and still struggle to generate adequate revenue or manage their institutions effectively.
“Progress requires people who can investigate problems honestly, develop sound solutions and turn those answers into better decisions,” he stressed.
The Chancellor’s remarks underscored the importance of human capital development in Ghana’s quest to derive greater value from its natural resources and strengthen institutional performance.
105 doctoral students begin PhD programme
A total of 105 doctoral students are expected to begin the University of Gold Coast’s PhD in Business Administration programme in the current academic year, out of 170 admitted applicants.
The programme offers specialisations in Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Leadership and Governance, and Strategic Management.
Bishop. Ofei urged the students to approach their doctoral studies with a commitment to producing original knowledge rather than merely consuming existing research.
“You are here to find out what the world does not know,” he told them, urging them to embrace a research mindset that would enable them to contribute new insights to business management, public administration and community development.
He said the university aspired to become more than a consumer of global knowledge, positioning itself as an institution where knowledge is created, tested and applied to real-world challenges.
Students seek practical solutions
Some of the incoming doctoral students said they hoped to strengthen their professional capabilities and contribute to addressing leadership challenges through their research.
One student said the programme would help improve his knowledge and skills in leading his company, while another expressed interest in researching how ethical leaders could be identified for positions in the public sector.
Their interests reflect the programme’s potential to connect advanced academic research with practical concerns in corporate management and public-sector governance.
By: Christian Kpesese
