By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
Senior Vice President of MTN Group, Mr. Ebenezer Asante, has called for deeper collaboration between academia, government and industry to build a new generation of African innovators capable of shaping the continent’s technological future.
He made the call during the 2025 graduation ceremony of Accra Technical University (ATU), held under the theme “Emerging Technologies: How Prepared is the ATU Graduate?”
Addressing the graduating class, Mr. Asante challenged young Africans to take active roles in defining the continent’s digital trajectory by becoming creators, not just consumers of technology.
“The curious, tech-savvy graduate of the 21st century will not only use technology but will also shape it with foresight and a sense of shared human purpose,” he emphasized.
He expressed concern over Africa’s declining contribution to global innovation, referencing data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 2023 Report, which shows the continent’s share of global technology patent filings dropping from 4.4% a decade ago to 3.2% in 2023, despite representing over 18% of the world’s population.
This, he said, underscores the urgent need for stronger partnerships among universities, the private sector, investors and policymakers.
“If we are serious about using technology to address Africa’s complex developmental challenges, we must become part of the technology supply chain and the global ecosystem of invention,” he noted.
Drawing on insights from futurists Alvin Toffler and Professor Akosua Ampofo, the MTN executive stressed that Africa’s competitiveness hinges on the ability of its youth to continually learn, unlearn and relearn.
He said the most successful 21st-century graduates will be those who pair technical competence with creativity, empathy and teamwork qualities that drive innovation.
Mr. Asante further encouraged graduates to adopt a growth mindset, asserting that their behavioural flexibility will matter just as much as their academic qualifications.
“Do not fear the unknown. Be clear about what you possess that can make a difference and keep applying yourself until you achieve a breakthrough,” he advised.
“Stubborn perseverance is what the world is waiting for from you.”
Highlighting technology’s transformative potential, he pointed to opportunities in sectors such as sanitation, healthcare, agriculture, education and energy.
He praised The Buz Stop Boys, a youth-led sanitation initiative in Ghana, as an example of civic-minded innovation. He urged graduates to explore IoT-enabled solutions, smart city technologies, robotics and drone systems to help address urban waste management challenges.
On the evolving nature of work, Mr. Asante noted that digital technologies now allow young people to work for global employers without relocating. He encouraged the graduating class to explore freelancing, digital entrepreneurship and hybrid work opportunities made possible by AI, cloud platforms and digital payment systems like MoMo.
In closing, he urged the graduates to contribute to Ghana’s national digitalization efforts and support the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a technologically advanced, inclusive and sustainable continent.
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
Contact:
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✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
