In an era where business leaders have often bemoaned the wide gap between industry needs and academia, finance minister-designate, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has pledged to bridge this gap if approved by parliament.
The potential minister for finance says his leadership at the forefront of Ghana’s economy will leverage insights from his PhD research to foster entrepreneurial growth and development.
Dr. Ato Forson, who is an alumnus of the KNUST Business School says his doctoral thesis focused on how entrepreneurial growth can be stimulated to drive general economic development.
In a Facebook cited by The High Street Journal, he revealed that his research found some actionable insights such as strategic financial resource management, innovation, effective institutional support, and the right systems that can drive entrepreneurial growth.
“My thesis focused on how entrepreneurs can drive venture growth through strategic financial resource management, innovation, and effective institutional networking. Here’s what I found: Businesses grow stronger when financial resources are channeled through innovation strategies; Institutional support and the ability to build meaningful networks amplify this growth,” adding that “with the right systems, entrepreneurs can achieve remarkable success,” he disclosed.
In the view of the finance minister-designate, these are not just academic knowledge that should just sit in books but a call to action.
He maintained that “these lessons are not just academic—they are a call to action. Together, we can create a thriving environment where businesses succeed and drive Ghana’s progress.”
Entrepreneurial development, experts say is very critical in driving innovation and creating jobs at a time when the country is grappling with economic challenges.
With this approach, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson seeks to champion an environment where there is a symbiotic relationship between academic research, policy, and practice.
The MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam in the Central Region also aims to create an environment where entrepreneurs thrive, businesses grow, and the economy strengthens. His approach appears to align with calls for increased collaboration between universities and the private sector to harness the potential of research and innovation for national development.
