Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has emphasized the need for Africa to prioritize investment in its human capital, describing it as the continent’s greatest resource.
Speaking at Day 2 of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025, she called for a depoliticized, skills-driven approach to curriculum development that aligns with Africa’s economic realities.
Prof. Amfo challenged the conventional approach of integrating entrepreneurship as an academic discipline, arguing that merely teaching it in classrooms without practical industry exposure, funding, and mentorship does little to cultivate successful entrepreneurs.
"I am not a huge advocate for teaching everybody entrepreneurship in school. What exactly are we teaching them when we say that we are teaching them entrepreneurship?"
"Yes, bookkeeping skills, some basic accounting – but entrepreneurship should not just be another academic course. What matters more is creating an ecosystem that allows young entrepreneurs to thrive," she stated.
She highlighted University of Ghana’s efforts to foster entrepreneurship through its Research and Innovation Directorate, which provides students with seed funding, industry partnerships, and mentorship opportunities to bridge the gap between academia and business.
Prof. Amfo stressed the urgency for African governments and institutions to be intentional about developing human capital, as it is the key driver of sustainable economic transformation.
"We need to recognize now, more than ever, that Africa’s greatest resource is its people. If we want to see ‘the Africa we want’ in our lifetime, we must invest in human capital development at all levels," she urged.
Her remarks come at a time when African economies are pushing for job creation, innovation, and industrial growth, with universities playing a critical role in shaping future leaders and entrepreneurs.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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