Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has challenged graduates of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) to pursue innovation rooted in purpose, integrity, and collaboration, stressing that technical skills alone are not enough to drive national development.
Addressing the 10th Congregation Ceremony of UENR in Sunyani, the Vice President said meaningful progress in science and technology requires discipline, perseverance, and the willingness to experiment and fail.
She emphasised that innovation must be shaped by Ghana’s realities, calling for solutions that are affordable, accessible, sustainable, and capable of addressing everyday challenges facing citizens.Ghana travel guide
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also underscored the importance of collaboration, noting that impactful innovation thrives when academia, industry, institutions, and communities work together rather than in isolation.
Beyond the graduates, the Vice President called on political leaders, private investors, and industry players to deepen their engagement with universities, arguing that government policy alone cannot deliver development without strong institutions, strategic partnerships, and sustained investment.
She paid tribute to UENR’s founding leadership and commended the University Council, management, faculty, and traditional authorities for their collective role in the institution’s growth. She also praised lecturers and researchers for advancing knowledge and innovation, and thanked parents and guardians for supporting the education of their wards.
In her closing message to the graduating class, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged them to let integrity guide their professional lives, remain disciplined and curious, and commit themselves to excellence, reminding them that Ghana’s future depends on their ideas, energy, and ability to work together for the common good.
The ceremony was attended by the Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area and Chairman of the University Council, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, members of the Governing Council, university management, faculty, parents, guardians, and students.
