Ho — The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, has challenged graduates of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) to take advantage of the opportunities in their chosen professions to be more creative and innovative in the current economic challenges of the country.
That, he said, was the only way they could build their lives through entrepreneurship and creativity.
Togbe Afede XIV gave the advice at the 7th Congregation of UHAS held in Ho over the weekend.
In all, 826 students graduated after fulfiling the requirements for the award of degrees.
According to him, university was a place of critical thinking and that must be used for the benefit of not only the students, but the communities they find themselves.
Togbe Afede XIV noted further that, "you are entering the world at the time we are coming out from the COVID- 19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war that have affected the economy and there are no jobs, but you can make it through hard work".
"Continue therefore to persevere and let the values of truth, humility and honesty be your key to success," he advised.
He added that for the graduates to also succeed, they needed to have certain traits such as "dreaming high and being ambitious".
Togbe Afede XIV said poverty was manufactured in bed and "you can only succeed if you get up from bed and work very hard".
He encouraged them to live above reproach and adopt participatory approach in administering their affairs.
He assured that the chiefs of Asogli State would continue to collaborate with the university and support it to become one of the best in the country.
Togbe Afede XIV, on behalf of the Asogli State, pledged GH¢50, 000 for the university to start an endowment fund.
Mrs Delese Mimi Darko, CEO, Food and Drugs Authority, on her part, noted that as health care professionals who managed diseases, "you must be prepared to manage the systems and care for the people who are affected with any form of pandemic".
She added that the core target of all health professionals was to promote and safe lives in health facilities to make life better for people.
"As you start your post education journey, always keep at the core of your minds that you need a high research and development skills to be on top of your jobs," she added.
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The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, on his part, reiterated his position that some institutions continued to train students for jobs that did not exist, adding, "thankfully UHAS in not part of those institutions".
"We need to offer courses in our universities that contribute to the socio- economic transformation of the country.
Government will continue to create a congenial atmosphere and support all our universities for them to become more relevant," he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, Prof. Lydia Aziato, expressed concern about the stalled GETFund projects, saying, "Our focus is to address the infrastructure deficit to provide more space for students and staff ".
She indicated that she would work with the staff to increase the international presence of the university by facilitating collaboration between the school and other universities, and also strengthen research and publications by lecturers at the university
