With gratitude and optimism, the founder of Accra Metropolitan University, Professor Joshua Alarbi, addressed graduates, guests and dignitaries, reflecting on a journey that has turned challenges into triumphs and vision into reality.
Certificates alone don’t open doors, build your networks!”
At the Accra Metropolitan University graduation, Founder Prof. Joshua Alarbi reminded graduates to combine hard work with social capital for lasting success. The event also honoured the Inspector General of Police and an accomplished woman leader with honorary doctorates, while charting the university’s bold expansion plans. From humble beginnings to presidential charter, AMU’s journey continues
“Thankfully, today, we are seeing great progress under the current leadership of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, GTEC,” he began, acknowledging the pivotal role of the regulator. “I want to extend our profound appreciation to the Director-General of GTEC and his team for their visionary support and commitment, which are helping institutions like ours find a rightful place in Ghana’s higher education landscape.”
Turning to the graduating class, Professor Alarbi praised their perseverance and dedication:
“Your journey has been marked by hard work, perseverance and sacrifice. You have overcome challenges and earned your place in history. As you step forward, I urge you to carry with you the values of discipline, innovation and a strong sense of responsibility to your communities and country.”
In candid remarks, he reminded graduates that certificates alone are not enough in today’s competitive job market:
“In today’s world, when you see an advert for an accounting job, you might have about 1,000 people applying. Maybe 25% truly fit the purpose, but they only need one. What often makes the difference isn’t just qualifications; it’s your social capital.”
He encouraged them to nurture relationships and networks:
“Among yourselves, build that social capital. One day, a simple phone call to a colleague could open a door. I can testify, sometimes it’s a call to an old schoolmate from Tamale Senior High or Agogo Girls that makes things happen. It starts from here. Never underestimate the power of these networks.”
The ceremony also featured the conferment of Honorary Doctorate degrees on two distinguished national figures, the Inspector General of Police, a native of Nungua, and an accomplished woman leader.
“It’s rare to see the King of Nungua and the Bokugurung sitting together at the same event because of security considerations,” he observed warmly. “But today they are both here — a sign of pride in their son, who also comes from our family house.”
He extended heartfelt congratulations:
“We are happy to receive our sister here, too. It’s not easy to find women like her in such spaces, and when I heard she was running, I was excited even before I met her. My sister, congratulations.”
Reflecting on the institution’s evolution, Professor Alarbi highlighted a transformative milestone: securing the presidential charter.
“A major turning point in our journey was receiving our presidential charter. Beyond giving us the authority to award our degrees, it removed barriers that often delayed our admissions. In many cases, we lost over 80% of prospective students to other universities because we had to wait for approvals from our mentoring institution, the Open University of Tanzania.”
He acknowledged the vital early partnership:
“At the time, there was no Open University in Ghana, and the only other in West Africa was in Nigeria. The Open University of Tanzania supported us with their expertise in distance education when we needed it most.”
Looking ahead, the vision for expansion remains anchored in quality:
“Our next focus is growth without compromising validity. I’m pleased to share that I have begun discussions with traditional authorities in Lumua, who have graciously assured us of several acres of land for expansion. We are deeply grateful to the chiefs and people of Lumua for standing with us.”
In closing, his message returned to the graduates and honorees:
“You are the pride of this institution. We are confident you’ll make a lasting impact wherever you go. May the good Lord richly bless you, and may our shared future be filled with purpose, growth and success.”
By Peter Quao Adattor
