The National Academy of Students’ Achievement Awards Ghana (NASAAG) has marked its 5th anniversary with a renewed commitment to advancing student entrepreneurship and bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application.
Held at the British Council in Accra, the celebration featured the official inauguration of a new Board of Trustees and executive team, signalling NASAAG’s sharpened focus on equipping students with practical, entrepreneurial, and career-ready skills.
The event, themed “Bridging Industry and Academia: A Pathway to Equipping Students as Future Professionals, Community, and Business Leaders,” brought together educationists, corporate leaders, civil society actors, and youth advocates to reflect on NASAAG’s impact over the past five years and to chart its future direction.
In his keynote address, NASAAG President Mr. Riffath Yakub Abubakar announced plans to establish a specialised training center, where students can undertake intensive short-term vocational and entrepreneurial programs during school vacations. He described the initiative as a game-changer in preparing young people for the competitive job market.
“For five years, we’ve empowered over 5,000 students through mentorship, leadership training, and job placement support,” Mr. Abubakar said. “But we’re not stopping there. We’re now moving deeper into entrepreneurship, giving students the tools to create their own opportunities.”
Newly appointed Board Chairman Mr. Franklin Adjetey reaffirmed NASAAG’s mission to drive sustainable youth development through strategic partnerships. He urged development agencies, private sector players, and academic institutions to collaborate with NASAAG in expanding its reach and impact.
The chairperson for the event, Baroness Mrs. Mavis Leonards—CEO of Global Sky Limited-Genescis—commended NASAAG for its commitment to shaping the future of Ghanaian students.
“For five years, NASAAG has dedicated itself to shaping the future of students in Ghana by bridging the gap between academia and industry. But this is only the beginning. The investment we make in students today determines the strength of our industries and the prosperity of our nation tomorrow,” she stated.
The event also featured testimonials from former beneficiaries of NASAAG’s programs, who shared inspiring success stories of career placements with global companies in the U.S., U.K., and Germany—opportunities made possible through the Academy’s mentorship and referral support.
The celebration concluded with the formal investiture of the new board and executive members, alongside recognition of past leaders whose efforts have significantly shaped the organisation’s journey.
As NASAAG enters its next phase, its message is clear: the future of student development lies in a bold blend of academic excellence, entrepreneurial empowerment, and industry engagement.
