Prof. Fred McBagonluri, President of Academic City University, challenged graduates to become innovators and problem-solvers capable of transforming Ghana and Africa through creativity, technology, and ethical leadership.

Speaking at the university’s 5th Graduation Ceremony, Prof. McBagonluri said innovation remained the foundation of sustainable development and urged the graduating class to use their knowledge and skills to solve pressing societal challenges.

The ceremony celebrated the graduation of 157 students from various disciplines. The group comprised four masters and 153 undergraduate students.

As part of this year’s graduation, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Former Minister of Defence, was conferred the Academic City Leadership Excellence Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to national development, public service and exemplary leadership.

According to Prof. McBagonluri, every significant advancement in human history has been driven by individuals who dared to imagine possibilities beyond existing limitations.

“Development begins in the mind. Every bridge was first an idea, every company was first a conversation, and every invention was first a question. The future belongs to those who can combine technology with empathy, data with wisdom, knowledge with character, and ambition with purpose,” he stated.

Prof. McBagonluri noted that Academic City had evolved from a young higher education institution into a fully chartered university within seven years, driven by a commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership development.

He said the university had deliberately invested in programmes such as engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, entrepreneurship and communication arts to equip students with the skills needed to create solutions for real-world problems.

“Academic City is not simply producing graduates. We are cultivating problem-solvers, developing innovators and shaping leaders capable of redesigning Africa’s future,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the United States’ historic mission to land a man on the moon, Prof. McBagonluri described Africa’s current challenges, including unemployment, climate change, food insecurity, and healthcare gaps, as opportunities for innovation.

“The future of Africa will be built by engineers who redesign systems, entrepreneurs who create opportunities, scientists who discover solutions and leaders who refuse to be limited by the circumstances of history,” he said.

He urged the graduates not to measure success solely by the positions they attain but by the impact they make in society.

Delivering the keynote address, the General Manager of Citi FM and Channel One TV, Mr. Bernard Avle, encouraged the graduates to pursue purpose and impact rather than financial rewards alone.

Sharing his personal career journey, he recounted how he chose a career in broadcasting over more lucrative opportunities after graduating from the University of Ghana, despite many concerns that he was making the wrong choice.

“Work to learn before you work to earn. Prioritise impact over income and results over rewards. Follow your passion so you find your purpose and follow problems so you can find solutions,” he advised.

Mr. Avle praised Academic City’s commitment to innovation and practical learning, describing the institution as one that had distinguished itself by equipping students to tackle real-world challenges.

He cited the university’s introduction of pioneering programmes in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Nuclear Engineering, Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering, and Robotics Engineering as evidence of its forward-thinking approach.

Mr. Avle commended the university’s leadership for fostering a culture built on excellence, innovation and integrity, describing those values as the roots upon which lasting institutions are built.

He recalled Academic City’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic when students and faculty collaborated with industry professionals to develop low-cost ventilators to support Ghana’s healthcare response.

He also highlighted student-led innovations, including a flood management application developed by two graduating computer science students to address recurring flooding challenges.

“The true measure of a university is not the beauty of its buildings or the number of programmes it offers, but the impact its graduates make in the world,” he said.

He urged the graduates to become the “light” their communities and nations need by applying their knowledge to solve practical challenges.

Glimpses from Graduation 2026