Professor Rosemond AboagyewaBoohene, the Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has proposed a two-stage integrated model for secondary and tertiary education institutions to promote entrepreneurship and small enterprises in Ghana.
The model is intended to instil discipline, shape mindsets, hone skills, stimulate innovation and build a culture of entrepreneurship among the youth to boost the economy and reduce unemployment.
Prof Boohene, a Professor of Enterprise Development, was delivering her inaugural lecture on the theme: “Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Practice: Tracking the Pathways.”
Her lecture connected theory, research and practice supported by practical examples, making a strong case for the need to deliberately support the growth of young enterprises.
“With the two-stage model, by the time they get to the tertiary institutions, which is the second stage, they have developed business ideas and might have done pitching or presentation,” she said.
At the secondary level, Prof Boohene proposed “military training,” which will teach students patriotism, ethics, discipline, personal development and leadership.
The stage will also take students through agriculture training, digital literacy focusing largely on Artificial Intelligence (AI), and entrepreneurship training after which they will receive feasibility study and startup support.
The second stage of the model will institute a system for savings and crowd funding in tertiary schools to ensure students are provided with startup capital when leaving school.
They will also be equipped with further entrepreneurial skills and support services.
Prof Boohene argued that it was imperative to start the entrepreneurship orientation from the senior high and technical schools to build a deeper and stronger foundation before they proceeded to the tertiary level.
“In the second stage, they are contributing something and saving money to be able to implement their entrepreneurial ventures.”
“We don’t want them to only wait for people to bring them money; we want them to start something so that the Government or the universities can also support them to start and scale up their business.”
