The General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina A. Fiagbenu, has challenged Ghanaian youth to develop the skills, discipline and innovative mindset required to lead the country’s future transformation, warning that academic qualifications alone are no longer enough to guarantee success in an increasingly competitive global economy.

She said Ghana’s ability to achieve sustainable economic growth would depend largely on how well young people prepare themselves to take advantage of emerging opportunities, solve societal challenges and create value through innovation.

Mrs Fiagbenu made the call at the 2026 National Youth Mentorship Summit held at the University of Ghana under the theme, “Youth Innovation & Wealth Creation: Shaping Ghana’s Future.”

The summit, organised by the LEC Group in partnership with the Success Africa Foundation, brought together students, entrepreneurs, innovators, business executives and professionals to discuss employability, leadership, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and innovation as critical drivers of national development.

According to Mrs Fiagbenu, Africa’s youthful population presents a major opportunity for economic transformation, but only if young people are equipped with the right competencies, values and leadership qualities.

She urged students to move beyond academic achievement and deliberately cultivate practical skills, creativity, integrity and a strong work ethic to remain relevant in the changing world of work.

She noted that while unemployment remains a major challenge, many organisations continue to struggle to find competent and disciplined young professionals who possess the ability to solve problems and deliver results.

“We don’t have enough prepared youth. There are many opportunities available. People are looking for good people and great people to work with, but they are sometimes disappointed because applicants are simply not prepared,” she said.

Mrs Fiagbenu explained that governments and businesses could create opportunities, but young people must take responsibility for building the knowledge, skills and professional attitudes needed to succeed.

She said employers were increasingly looking beyond certificates and placing greater emphasis on critical thinking, teamwork, communication skills, adaptability and innovation.

Drawing from her own career experience, the MTN executive said many opportunities came not necessarily through repeated job applications but through a reputation built on competence, reliability and excellence.

She advised young people to invest in personal development and maintain professional relationships because opportunities often arise through networks and recommendations.

“You never know where your next opportunity will come from or who will recommend you. Preparation and excellence make all the difference,” she said.

From job seekers to problem solvers

Mrs Fiagbenu encouraged young people to change their mindset from simply searching for employment to becoming creators of opportunities by identifying problems in their communities and developing innovative solutions.

She said entrepreneurship should not only be viewed as a means of making money but also as a platform for addressing real-life challenges and improving the lives of others.

She challenged students to use their knowledge, creativity and talents to develop businesses and initiatives that contribute to national development.

According to her, innovation begins with recognising challenges and having the courage to design practical solutions that create sustainable impact.

Character and discipline remain critical

The MTN Sustainability Manager also highlighted the importance of character development, describing discipline, integrity and responsible behaviour as essential qualities for successful professionals and future leaders.

She expressed concern about acts of indiscipline in society, particularly poor sanitation practices, saying such behaviours undermine national development and affect Ghana’s image.

Mrs Fiagbenu stressed that while universities provide students with academic knowledge and technical skills, values such as honesty, responsibility and discipline must be developed early and sustained throughout life.

She further encouraged students to use technology productively by learning new skills, expanding their knowledge and building their capabilities rather than spending excessive time on entertainment platforms.

She urged the youth to embrace lifelong learning, innovation and personal growth, insisting that Ghana’s future would be shaped by a generation that is prepared, disciplined and committed to creating solutions.

Mentorship programme reaches thousands

The Executive Director of LEC Group and organiser of the summit, Albert Kusi, said the Success Africa initiative had impacted more than 400,000 young people across nearly 100 educational institutions since its establishment almost two decades ago.

He explained that the mentorship programme was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations by equipping students with employability skills, entrepreneurship knowledge, leadership capacity and innovation-driven thinking.

Mr Kusi said the initiative also promotes volunteerism, mindset transformation and personal development while connecting students with experienced professionals who share practical career lessons.

He disclosed that the 2026 National Youth Mentorship Summit marked the conclusion of a 13-campus nationwide mentorship tour that began in February and engaged thousands of tertiary students across the country.

He announced that the programme would later in the year embark on another nationwide outreach targeting newly admitted university students to strengthen mentorship, leadership development and entrepreneurship among young Ghanaians.

The summit was supported by MTN Ghana, InvestCorp, UBA, Prudential Bank, ACCA, Malta Guinness and Skytech Ghana, highlighting the growing role of private sector institutions in developing the next generation of Ghanaian innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders.