The Faculty of Business Studies of Takoradi Technical University, TTU, has officially opened its maiden International Business and Entrepreneurship Research Conference, marking a major milestone in the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and practical innovation.

The conference, held under the theme “Innovative Entrepreneurship, TVET and Sustainable Business Development for Economic Transformation,” aims to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and research findings on how Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, can be leveraged through entrepreneurial innovation to drive sustainable economic growth.

In his opening address, the Vice Chancellor and Chairman, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, noted that the event represents a critical step in strengthening the bridge between academia, industry, and community transformation.

“This event marks yet another proud milestone in TTU’s journey toward academic excellence and industry relevance. It is truly heartwarming to see such a diverse gathering of researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and students brought together by a shared passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Globally, the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship fuels the growth of strong economies. Nations that nurture creativity and enterprise are the ones that turn ideas into lasting prosperity,” he said.

He highlighted TTU’s growing influence on both the academic and entrepreneurial fronts, announcing that the university has recently been ranked as Ghana’s top technical university in the renowned AD Scientific Index University and Scientist Rankings.

Rev. Eshun underscored TTU’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship through success stories from its Innovation Hub, TTU-iHub, and strategic partnerships with local and international organizations.

The Vice Chancellor also revealed TTU’s role in the Adwumawura Programme, in collaboration with the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, NEIP, which is currently equipping 62 young people with business management skills, mentorship, and funding support.

Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies and host of the conference, Prof. Mrs. Abigail Gura, expressed her excitement at what is expected to become a flagship event in TTU’s academic calendar.

She said the conference underscores TTU’s commitment to addressing pressing socio-economic challenges while emphasizing entrepreneurship and Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, as catalysts for job creation and inclusive growth.

“This year’s conference theme reflects our commitment to addressing the most pressing socio-economic challenges of our time. As a faculty, we recognize that entrepreneurship and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) are critical drivers of job creation, innovation, and inclusive growth. We also believe that sustainable business practices must underpin future development to achieve lasting prosperity for our communities and nations,” she noted.

Nana Kobina Nketsia V, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area, in his keynote address on; From Ideas to Impact: Creating Entrepreneurial Ecosystems that Transform Economies, called for a shift in mindset and generational thinking if society is to achieve economic and environmental development.

“If you break a tree, you are breaking a part of me. And the word they also use is Nana, as I said some where we have Nananom, which we say are the ancestors and we have Nananom which we also say are the descendants and in between is you and I as the present. So within as here there must be generational thinking”, he noted.

Acknowledging the significance of the theme, Nana Nketsia V said it calls for the abolishment of habits that hinder national progress and encourages the nation to dream big. Highlighting the significance of entrepreneurship and how it can make a nation thrive, he encouraged that citizens see and have a vision of what they want entrepreneurship within our societies to be like.

Speaking on behalf of the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Matthew Kirk Kwofie underscored the need for innovation, ethical leadership, and research-driven enterprise as crucial pillars for Ghana’s economic transformation.

He highlighted recent strides made by the Western Regional Coordinating Council, including the relaunch of its Business and Investment Centre, a “one-stop facilitation initiative” that supports investors, entrepreneurs, and industry players by streamlining processes and promoting economic opportunities in the region.

He encouraged young entrepreneurs and students to “nurture curiosity, cultivate resilience, remain ethical, and embrace innovation,” emphasising that they are the “backbone of Ghana’s future.”

Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi, Deputy Director General, Management Services, gave a presentation on The Role of TVET in Building Skills for the Future of Work. She recognized TVET as a pathway to equipping individuals for the large informal economy, enhancing employment prospects, and providing a basis for new business creation and the development of a vibrant labour market.

She called for a curriculum evolution in which TVET education starts from the basic level to prepare young minds for the future.

Prof. Dzisi also emphasized the need for stronger partnerships between industry and academia so that students gain real-world understanding and experience.

She called on the government to prioritize TVET as a national imperative, industry players to welcome TVET students into their workspaces, educators to inspire students to see the dignity and opportunities in skilled work, and parents and students to view TVET as a passport to innovation, entrepreneurship, and a fulfilling career.

Mr. Samuel Kwesi Dickson, Head of Logistics Tullow GH. LTD, giving a presentation on Sustainable Business Development: Pathways To Green and Resilient Economy, called for an urgent shift from the traditional “take, make, use, dispose” model of production to a more sustainable and circular approach to business development.

Highlighting actionable steps toward a resilient, green economy, Mr. Dickson outlined four critical pathways: policy and regulation, finance and investment, innovation and technology, and collaboration across sectors.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and the private sector in driving innovation.

Mr. Dickson urged students to view industry as a collaboration partner in solving global sustainability challenges, rather than just a destination for employment.

He also encouraged students and researchers to embed environmental and social values in their academic and entrepreneurial ventures.

The Member of Parliament for Effia, Lawyer Isaac Boamah Nyarkoh, who expressed his readiness to work with TTU on whatever endeavour, as a host constituency, to help train Ghana’s future workforce, said TVET is critical in solving the unemployment in the country hence called on government to prioritise TVET education.

The five-day conference will feature presentations, discussions, and dialogues aimed at advancing entrepreneurial ecosystems, deepening university-industry linkages, and promoting sustainable business practices.