Board Chairman of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Dr. Akwasi Opong-Fosu, has urged Ghanaian youth to embrace excellence, integrity, innovation, and collaboration as guiding principles for personal growth and national transformation.

He made the call while delivering the keynote address as the Guest of Honour at the University of Ghana Economics Students’ Society’s Euphoria Dinner and Awards Night 5.0, held at the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Hall on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

An alumnus of the University of Ghana, Dr. Opong-Fosu commended the organisers for creating a platform to celebrate and inspire young achievers.

He noted that the awards represented more than just plaques and certificates, but a statement of the values society chooses to uphold.

“Who we choose to celebrate, who we elevate as our heroes and role models, reflects the values and belief systems that shape our collective destiny.

By honouring individuals who embody vision, integrity, innovation, and collaboration, we are declaring that our heroes are not those who exploit or divide, but those who inspire, uplift, and transform,” he said.

Dr. Opong-Fosu cautioned against the growing trend of glorifying wealth without regard to character or service, stressing that true success must be measured by responsibility and positive impact.

He highlighted four pillars—excellence, visionary thinking, integrity, and collaboration—as crucial for sustainable national and continental progress.

“Excellence is never a matter of chance. It is intentional. Our world today is confronted by complex challenges that cannot be solved by individuals acting alone.

They require collaboration, shared responsibility, and the collective will to innovate and transform,” he added.

He congratulated the awardees for their resilience, creativity, and leadership, encouraging them to use the recognition as a springboard for greater impact.

He also challenged all students to embody excellence not only in academia but also within their families, workplaces, and communities.