The Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana (CIB Ghana), Mr. Robert Dzato, is encouraging students to combine their academic qualifications with professional certifications to boost their career prospects. He believes professional certifications help build trust within the industry.

“The best way to combine your professional qualification and studies is now, and the type of qualification does not matter. I encourage you to do that,” he said. “You need the skill to manage the raw material you have. In banking, cash is our raw material, and the real currency is trust. That is what these professional bodies develop you to be – a trusted professional. The currency is trust, and the trust comes from your ethical character. The qualification instills in you that trust, which comes with competence and your conduct.”

He was speaking at an event as part of the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the KNUST School of Business (KSB). The discussion centered on the role of professional certification and practice in the 21st century in shaping future entrepreneurs.

The event, part of the KSB Professional Discussion Series, aims to facilitate important conversations between stakeholders from academia, the professional sector, political leadership, policymakers, corporate bodies, and students.

Dean of the School, Professor Ahmed Agyapong, emphasized the school’s commitment to preparing students for the realities of the corporate world.

"At KNUST School of Business, we believe that education goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. It is about preparing our students for the realities of the corporate world, giving them the necessary exposure to professional career paths, and equipping them with employability skills that will set them apart in a competitive job market," he said.

Professor Agyapong further emphasized the event’s role in helping students gain insights into various professional qualifications, their requirements, job prospects, and career opportunities.

"By engaging with you, our students will be better positioned to make informed career decisions, enhance their skills, and build meaningful professional networks," he added.

He hinted at the potential for strengthening partnerships with professional bodies, including the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to formalize commitments toward advancing professional education and industry integration.

The event featured presentations from resource persons from professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA), and the Chartered Institute of Bankers Ghana (CIB).

The rest are the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Managers (CIHRM), the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG).

Mr. Patrick Andoh, Chief Executive Secretary of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), stressed the importance of applying academic knowledge to real-life situations.

“Apply what you learn from school. Put those thoughts together and create something for yourself. There’s an opportunity out there. For example, in Accra, people are willing to pay a premium for fresh products that are less than 24 hours on the market. Can we have people at the farms ensuring products reach the city within that time? This is an opportunity and a decision you must make,” he said.