Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor has urged Ghanaian businesses to promote sustainable economic transformation by aligning with national, continental and global policy directions.
He was speaking at the 11th Anniversary of the International Conference on Business Management and Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED 2026) under the theme: “ESG & Sustainability in Focus: What Does It Mean for Africa and Global Trade?”
According to him, building sustainable businesses have now become central to business competitiveness, the attraction of investment, regulatory credibility, preparedness, and effective participation in the global trading system.
“Across Africa, there is increasing acknowledgement that ESG and sustainability are no longer matters of choice” he said.
Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor explains that this reality demands renewed commitment to broadening access to education that is industry-responsive and grounded in sustainability, enhancing technical, vocational, digital, and green skills training, advancing responsible entrepreneurship and innovation to support inclusive growth.
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) hosted the ICBMED 2026, bringing together academics, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and students to discuss the growing importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and sustainability in Africa’s economic future.
The conference highlighted the urgent need for African institutions and businesses to align with global sustainability expectations while promoting inclusive growth and responsible innovation. Director of the Research and Consultancy Centre at UPSA, Professor Alexander Preko, reflected on the conference’s growth since its inception in 2015, highlighting its contribution to policy discussions, cross-border research collaboration, curriculum development, and the professional growth of early-career researchers.
He also emphasised the need for the conference to continue evolving as a thought-leadership platform capable of addressing global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, inequality, and shifting trade systems.
“The future of ICBMED lies in deepening its relevance and strengthening its contribution to sustainable development, responsible enterprise, and Africa’s place in global trade,” he noted.
The conference concluded with renewed calls for stronger partnerships between academia, industry, government, and development institutions to promote ESG awareness, innovation, and inclusive economic growth across the continent.
