The launch of Southshore University College in Accra has signalled a major shift in Ghana’s higher education space, with the institution positioning itself as a technology- and research-focused university aimed at driving African self-reliance.

The ceremony, held on Saturday, January 24, at the university’s East Legon campus, brought together academics, traditional authorities, policymakers and students to officially unveil the institution’s new identity, following its transition from Dominion University College.

Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Felix Nikoi Hammond, said the transformation goes beyond a change of name and represents a fundamental rethink of how African universities must prepare students for a fast-changing global economy.

According to him, the world has moved from dependence on natural resources to data, digital systems and artificial intelligence, a shift Africa cannot afford to ignore.

“The global economy has pivoted from resource extraction to computational intelligence,” Prof Hammond said. “Africa must move from consuming knowledge to creating sovereign innovation. We can no longer afford to be passengers in a world that has moved from soil to silicon.”

He explained that the name Southshore reflects Africa’s leadership role within the Global South and its connection to the wider world, describing the institution as both a “shore of return” for African diaspora talent and a “shore of departure” for graduates ready to compete globally.

“This is not merely a name; it is a strategy for African re-emergence,” he added.

Southshore University aims to become a research-intensive institution aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Dr Awuah calls for authentic leadership
Delivering the keynote address, Founder and President of Ashesi University, Dr Patrick G. Awuah Jr., urged Ghanaian leaders and institutions to embrace leadership rooted in authenticity, courage and moral clarity.

He cautioned that rebranding without purpose cannot lead to national progress, stressing that genuine development requires sustained commitment rather than slogans or cosmetic changes.

Drawing lessons from Apple’s turnaround in the late 1990s, Dr Awuah said the company’s success was driven by authentic rebranding that aligned identity, vision and customer experience, particularly during a period of crisis.

“Rebranding is not about logos,” he said. “It is about aligning identity, vision and experience. A brand is a promise.”

Linking his remarks to Ghana’s national values, he called for reflection on the national anthem’s call to make the country “great and strong,” noting that no nation achieves greatness without effort, sacrifice and resilience.

Quoting civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Dr Awuah said moral leadership demands doing what is right even when it is not safe, popular or politically convenient, adding that the anthem’s reference to “fearless honesty” is a call for courage and obedience to conscience.

‘A rebirth after crisis’
In a recorded message, President of Southshore University, Professor Nicholas N. N. Nsowah-Nuamah, described the launch as a rebirth following years of disruption.

Founded in 2009, the institution suffered a major setback in 2022 when it was evicted from its previous campus, forcing an emergency shift to online teaching and disrupting academic records.

Despite the challenges, he said the university successfully relocated to its new campus and formally adopted the Southshore identity in 2025.

Graduate unemployment in focus
Concerns about graduate unemployment also featured prominently at the event.

Chairing the ceremony, the Otumfuo Manwerehene, Sir Baafuor Dr Ossei Hyeamann Brantuo VI, questioned the relevance of university education that does not lead to employment, citing the growing number of young people seeking enlistment in the armed forces due to job insecurity.

He welcomed Southshore’s focus on industry partnerships, work placements and practical skills, stressing that universities must ensure students are employable before completing their studies.

Southshore’s leadership says the university aims to produce technically skilled and entrepreneurial graduates grounded in African values, positioning the institution as a new “lighthouse” for higher education on the continent.

Ministry warns against misuse of AI
Also speaking at the launch, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Education, Dr Fred Kissiedu, reiterated government’s commitment to discipline and academic excellence in tertiary institutions.

Representing the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, he stressed the need for full compliance with ministry policies and regulations.

Dr Kissiedu expressed concern about students’ learning habits, particularly the misuse of artificial intelligence, warning that excessive “copy-and-paste” practices undermine the acquisition of practical and technical skills.

He urged institutions to review their assessment methods to ensure students are tested on genuine understanding and called on students to take responsibility for their academic choices.

“You cannot enter a tertiary institution without a clear vision,” he said, noting that many students struggle to articulate their goals, courses of study and career paths.

The Ministry of Education, he added, remains committed to working with tertiary institutions to produce disciplined, skilled and job-ready graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.