![Tap into experiences of successful entrepreneurs](https://ghananewsagency.org/assets/images/dr-osae-pentecost-university.jpg)
By Benjamin Adamafio Commey, GNA
Accra, Dec 16, GNA - Tertiary institutions must leverage on the experiences of the numerous successful entrepreneurs to equip students with the necessary skills and experience to ensure successful business careers, Dr Eric Oduro Osae has said.
Dr Osae, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Technical Director for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development said it was time institutions added entrepreneurial leadership to their range of courses and established faculties that would offer opportunities for accomplished entrepreneurs to mentor graduates to become successful business people.
This, he said, would ensure that upcoming entrepreneurs avoided mistakes, major business risks and hurdles that were encountered by successful entrepreneurs and enable them to create and sustain businesses and facilitate national development.
Dr Osae made the call, when he addressed the 11th congregation of the Pentecost University College (PUC) in Accra.
The ceremony saw 785 students awarded with Masters, Bachelor's Degrees, Certificates and Diploma.
Of this number, 34 were post-graduates, 659 were undergraduates and 92 were Certificate and Diploma students.
It was held on the theme: "Building an Entrepreneurship Culture in Ghana: The Role of the Higher Education Institutions."
Dr Osae said "entrepreneurs are valuable assets to a nation, however, the young ones need to be cultured and nurtured by higher education institutions, Governments and experienced senior entrepreneurs in order not to be disappointed with the slightest challenge they faced at the initial stages of business set, growth and development.
"Tertiary institutions therefore need to create an environment that encourages the generation of ideas and equips students with skills required to navigate the turbulent waters of starting and sustaining businesses," he stressed.
Improving relationships and linkages between institutions, industry and government programmes, was would also deepen graduates and youth entrepreneurial skills, enable growth and development of enterprises, he explained.
He urged tertiary institutions to develop curricular and programmes that would equip graduates with the requisite knowledge to tackle society's problems head-on.
While commending PUC for its enormous contribution to the development of the country's human resource, he advised the graduates to take advantage of the various government entrepreneurial interventions and facilities to create wealth and contribute their quota to national development.
Apostle Dr Daniel Okyere Walker, the Rector, PUC said the institute has finalised the integration of the Pentecost Theological Seminary with the PUC Faculty of Theology and Mission into a School of Theology, Mission and Leadership, adding that the university was also working towards the attainment of a charter that would grant it an autonomy to enable it to deliver on its mandate without interference.
"We have submitted our charter application document to National Accreditation Board and hope to receive Presidential Charter soon. We are also on course to begin our law programme in 2020 God willing, as a result we have recruited some of the experienced and renowned law professors in the country to lead the faculty," he said.
The Rector urged graduates to uphold high moral standards and ensure they put to use the acquired skills for the development of the country.
He commended the Church of Pentecost for the continual support it gave the university and students in achieving their goals.
Madam Lucy Adu-Gyamfi, a Project Management student was adjudged the best MBA student while Mr Solomon Danquah Danso, a student of the Faculty of Science Information Technology emerged the overall best student.
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