SoB-UEW Hosts THINKGEES Entrepreneurship and Employability Workshop
The School of Business (SoB) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), in collaboration with the UEW Innovation Hub, the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), the British Council and AfriVenture has organised a capacity-building workshop to train students in entrepreneurship, innovation and employability skills.
The workshop, dubbed THINK Graduate Entrepreneurship and Employability Training (THINKGEES), took place at the North Campus of the UEW on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025.
The initiative forms part of UEW’s ongoing commitment to producing graduates who are not only employable but also capable of creating jobs and driving sustainable economic growth across Ghana and Africa. THINKGEES is a component of the broader THINK Network, Tertiary Hubs for Innovation and Knowledge which provides tertiary students with practical training and mentorship in entrepreneurship and innovation.
In his welcome address, Prof. Richard Oduro, Dean of SoB, commended the collaborating institutions for advancing a shared vision of nurturing enterprising and work-ready graduates. He urged participants to embrace the programme as the beginning of a lifelong entrepreneurial journey rather than a one-day learning session.
“This initiative is designed not just to prepare you to seek jobs but to create them; not merely to participate in the economy but to shape it. Through our partnership with UGBS, AfriVenture Lab and the British Council, we are building a new generation of innovative thinkers who can redefine the future of business and society,” he stated.
Prof. Oduro explained that the THINKGEES framework combines innovation training, career readiness and entrepreneurial development, enabling students to bridge academic knowledge with real-world practice. Activities under the initiative include career workshops, CV writing and interview skills sessions, industry mentorship and virtual engagements with partner institutions in the United Kingdom.
The Dean of SoB further announced that one outstanding participant from UEW would be selected to represent the University at the Regional Innovation Study Conference scheduled for November 2025 at the University of Ghana. He encouraged participants to take the programme seriously and exhibit commitment and creativity.
Dr. Mawuko Dza, Coordinator of the UEW Innovation Hub and Vice President of the THINK Network, highlighted the Hub’s role in equipping students with practical skills that enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities. He noted that the Hub’s initiatives extend beyond theoretical instruction to hands-on projects that empower students to design, implement and sustain business ideas.
Dr. Dza also stressed the importance of inclusivity in entrepreneurship training, revealing that the selection of participants considered gender balance and individuals with special needs. He encouraged female students to take advantage of such opportunities to build their capacity for leadership and self-reliance. “You can force a horse to the riverside but you cannot force it to drink the water. We have created the opportunities. It is up to our young women to step forward and take them,” he remarked.
Prof. Emmanuel Erastus Yamoah, Vice-Dean of SoB, facilitated the first training session on effectuation, one of the two key approaches to entrepreneurship. Using practical examples and interactive exercises, he explained that effectuation focuses on starting with available resources, that is, “who you are, what you know and whom you know,” and using them to create opportunities.
He contrasted this philosophy with the traditional “causation” approach which begins with a fixed goal and then searches for resources to achieve it. He argued that while causation suits established organisations, effectuation is more realistic for aspiring entrepreneurs working with limited resources.
Dr. Yaw Brew, a lecturer at the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, followed with a session on Design Thinking, a human-centred approach to innovation that integrates empathy, creativity and strategy to develop impactful solutions.
Dr. Brew encouraged participants to observe their environment keenly and identify opportunities hidden in everyday challenges. “There are no wrong answers in ideation; every circumstance holds a seed of opportunity if we are observant enough. Design Thinking is about turning problems into possibilities, using empathy and imagination to design solutions that meet real human needs,” he averred.
Dr. Brew illustrated his points with local examples, including waste recycling, cassava processing, and solar-powered crop dryers to demonstrate how entrepreneurs can create value from challenges in their communities.
In a more practical session, Mrs. Elizabeth Yeboah Quarshie, Chief Executive Officer of Chrislaw Ventures, shared her entrepreneurial journey and insights on sustaining a business. She underscored the importance of having a clear vision, mission and purpose, noting that these drive resilience and innovation. “Success is not about chasing money; it is about solving human needs. When you identify a problem and provide a meaningful solution, money will follow,” she noted.
Mrs. Elizabeth Quarshie urged students to start small, maintain proper records and register their businesses with relevant authorities such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA). She also encouraged participants to embrace continuous learning, plan strategically and remain adaptable in a changing business environment. “Opportunities come to those who are prepared. Have a business plan, understand your costs and be ready to act when doors open,” she added.
The workshop was moderated by Mr. Jones Appiah Kubi, Faculty Officer of SoB, who described THINKGEES as a timely intervention that bridges academic learning with industry expectations. The interactive sessions, which covered CV writing, innovation and entrepreneurship design, equipped participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to navigate today’s dynamic job market.
The THINKGEES training aligns with UEW’s broader mission of producing well-rounded graduates equipped with entrepreneurial mindsets and employable skills to contribute meaningfully to national development.
