As part of its vision of making an impact beyond its business operations, Deloitte Ghana held its ‘Annual Volunteer Day’ on May 15, 2025, counselling and mentoring several students of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) and the Accra Technical University in the Greater Accra region.

The event, which took place concurrently at the two schools, witnessed a plenary session and a breakout session where students from the various faculties, particularly the business school, were given guidance on navigating the transition from university life to professional life, and also counselled on the importance of mentorship in career development.

Over 420 staff of Deloitte participated in the programme, which witnessed a panel discussion on the theme: “The Importance of Mentorship in Career Development”. Three professionals, each from Deloitte and one lecturer each from UPSA and ATU took part in the panel discussion. They shared their experiences regarding choosing the right career, insights into navigating the world of work and becoming transformational leaders, creating value for the respective organisations they will find themselves working with.

Opening the event at the UPSA, Abena Biney, Chief Sustainability Officer, Deloitte West Africa and Audit Partner, Deloitte, said Deloitte is on a mission to redefine corporate volunteerism across the African continent, emphasising its commitment to serving as responsible corporate citizens in Africa.

She assured the students that Deloitte would support, empower and inspire them to choose the right careers for a better future, adding, “We are here to provide career guidance and counselling that will inform and advise you about the professions to choose whilst you prepare to journey into the corporate world”.

The Vice Chancellor of the UPSA, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, said the Deloitte Annual Volunteer Day and Career Fair is unique, helping to bridge the gap between the classroom and the boardroom, stressing that “They help turn theory into vision- making a real impact on real lives. It is about service, it is about mentorship, it is about empowering, believing in people, in the potential of the youth. And what better place to express this belief than at a university full of young people being molded for the world of work, with integrity, respect and service, and excellence”.

He advised the students to equip themselves with the right skills - the soft skills, critical thinking skills, challenging the status quo, adopting a positive attitude, emotional intelligence, technological skills, and the right network to succeed, in a fast-changing world.

“I know that your interaction today with the team from Deloitte will be proof of how careers can evolve, how challenges can become opportunities, and how dreams, with the right support, can become realities”, he added.

He concluded, saying UPSA will build even stronger ties with Deloitte in the years ahead. 

Deloitte To Impact Students to Become Next Generational Leaders

At ATU, George Ankomah, Lead Tax Partner, Deloitte Ghana, who opened the event at ATU also emphasised Deloitte’s position of impacting students to becoming mirrors of possibility for the next generation. 

He alluded that Deloitte aims to offer the students glimpses into the real-world applications of their academic pursuits, provide guidance in choosing the right career and “We want to be part of your success story”.

The Acting Vice Chancellor at the ATU, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, admonished the students to take their academic work seriously, urging them to embrace innovation and exhibit professionalism to build a fruitful career.

According to him, ATU will continue to develop strong linkages and collaboration with relevant industries, businesses, professional bodies and technical experts in the delivery of programmes.

He commended Deloitte for this initiative, saying, career guidance is very important to the university since it would help the students in choosing professions that suit their interests, aptitude and abilities.

He welcomed future collaborations with Deloitte, explaining, the vision of ATU is to advance technical and professional knowledge by creating a conducive environment for applied research, quality teaching and competence-based training, with a high impact on industry and business creation.

The Deloitte professionals in a breakout session shared experiences and offered practical insights into the skills that are highly valued in today’s dynamic professional landscape. They were from the Audit and Assurance, Consulting, Risk Advisory, Tax and Legal, Financial Advisory, People and Purpose, ATS and Marketing Departments and Units.

Deloitte Ghana is part of the global firm Deloitte and has a long history in the country, dating back to 1947. Its services offerings include Auditing, Assurance, Tax and Regulatory, Consulting, Financial Advisory and Risk Advisory.