Virtual University

Virtual University

Trust and Consistency, Key to Ghana’s Progress, Says David Ofosu-Dorte

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Founder and Executive Chairman of AB & David Africa, David Ofosu-Dorte, says Ghana’s development depends on trust, consistency, and unity rather than constant shifts in policy direction. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University with Rev. Albert Ocran, Mr. Ofosu-Dorte emphasized that national progress thrives when leaders build and sustain public confidence through their actions. He explained that economic growth is driven more by hope and trust than by statistics. “The entire economy is about hope and confidence. When people are hopeful, they invest; when they lose hope, they withdraw. That’s when economies decline,” he said. Mr. Ofosu-Dorte stressed that political leaders must act consistently and transparently to sustain hope among citizens. “Trust cannot be commanded. It is acquired through the consistency of your actions. When there is no trust, the vision perishes,” he noted. He argued that Ghana’s challenge is not the absence of vision but the failure to remain committed to it. “We don’t fail because we lack vision. Every Ghanaian leader has had one. We fail because we abandon the vision when challenges arise,” he said. On economic reforms, the business strategist urged leaders to view the government’s 24-hour economy policy as a productivity initiative rather than a political slogan. “The less productive a country is, the more demand outstrips supply. If we focus on productivity, we can drive growth faster. The 24-hour economy should be a productivity program,” he advised. Mr. Ofosu-Dorte also called for greater unity in national discourse, saying politics often undermines collective progress. “Unity is more important than gold. If you cannot rally people around the vision, forget the vision. Disunity destroys the mission,” he cautioned. He recommended that major national policies be implemented with bipartisan support to ensure continuity across governments. “Bring together leaders of both parties, technocrats, and traditional authorities on long-term projects. Once the nation owns the policy, no new government will abandon it,” he said. About Springboard, Your Virtual University Springboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboard Channel (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. Springboard Road Show Foundation Marketing and Communications

Virtual University

Education Must Move Beyond Memorization in the Age of AI, Say Experts

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Education experts Anis Haffar and Dr. Nefertiti Puplampu say artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping education and must drive a shift from rote memorization to problem-solving and innovation. Speaking on Springboard your Virtual University, with Rev. Albert Ocran, Mr. Haffar explained that AI has made the old model of cramming facts obsolete. “We don’t need to memorize information anymore. AI gives us the information we need, but we must know how to articulate our needs and use it meaningfully. The students must now be in the driver’s seat,” he said. He pointed to learner-led education models such as the International Baccalaureate, which require students to apply creativity, activity, and service to real-world challenges. “Education must have an application component. At the end of the day, your degree is the solution or service you provide that makes life easier for others,” he added. Dr. Puplampu, Head of the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning, highlighted the urgent need to align curricula with industry and societal demands. She warned that while students are adapting quickly to new technologies, many educators are struggling to keep pace. “The pace of change is so fast that the same person who started teaching under one model is now being required to adjust to new demands. If educators and policymakers don’t retool, the system will reject innovation,” she said. She further explained that learner-centered methods not only improve retention but also empower students to lead. “When students are given the chance to teach, apply concepts, and engage in real-world projects, retention rates can reach as high as 90 percent. It’s not about teachers knowing everything anymore. It’s about creating environments where students can think critically and solve problems,” she noted. Both speakers agreed that AI should be seen as an enabler, not a threat. According to Dr. Puplampu, AI-driven tools can help teachers personalize instruction and scale innovative teaching models globally. About Springboard, Your Virtual University Springboard, Your Virtual University is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. By Genevieve Mensah

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Education is Ghana’s Greatest Tool for Change, Says Yaw Nsarkoh

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Strategic adviser and director, Yaw Nsarkoh, has described education as the ultimate prescription for building a good society in Ghana. He stressed that knowledge is the most powerful productive force and must be embraced if the country is to experience true liberation. Speaking on Springboard your Virtual University with Rev. Albert Ocran, Mr. Nsarkoh closed the 17th-anniversary Thinkathon series on “The Power of Ideas” with a call for a more profound rethink of development. “Educate, educate, educate. Knowledge is the primary productive force. Embrace it. If we get it, we will liberate our society,” he said. He argued that economic growth statistics, such as reduced inflation, mean little if they do not translate into better livelihoods for citizens. “The destination is what Nkrumah was talking about. Are there more schools? Do people have good food to eat? Have we created a cultural environment where people can think? Our society is drowning in uncollected garbage. Is this a society in which you can imagine the future?” he asked. The strategic Advisor further questioned the fairness of Ghana’s democracy, warning that it risks trapping generations in cycles of poverty. “Today in your village, somebody born into a mud house, can they become Rev. Albert Ocran in one lifetime? If they cannot, then what we are saying is that we have built a Santa Claus democracy in which the poor remain poor. Their children will keep giving birth to the poor,” he cautioned. He described this “Santa Claus democracy” as an over monetized system that treats citizens as tokens to be bought during elections, excluding them from meaningful participation in national progress. Quoting Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate in literature, he said Africa’s variant of democracy has become “a public auction for the highest bidder.” Mr. Nsarkoh added that true development must be measured not by figures but by the creation of opportunities, a thinking culture, and a green, sustainable environment where every citizen has the chance to rise. About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboard Channel (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The Thinkathon series brought together thought leaders from various fields to explore the power of ideas in shaping society. By Faustina Yeboah

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Faith and Godliness Must Shape Everyday Life Says Methodist Presiding Bishop

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Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, says godliness should not be separated from daily living but must guide how people build society and relate with one another. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University, with Rev. Albert Ocran as part of the ongoing 17th anniversary Thinkathon series on the power of ideas in Faith and Society, he said that compartmentalizing spirituality and everyday life weakens society. “We have compartmentalized our lives. Our spirituality is here, our everyday life is there. We have not put the bridge between the two. If we want to build a good society, godliness is essential because godliness encompasses all the virtues that make you human,” he explained. He advised young people to apply themselves fully in whatever field they are in, whether academics, apprenticeship, or agriculture. He stressed that friendships and relationships must also be chosen wisely. “If the young man in your life is asking for sexual favors or taking you away from your studies to go to a club, drop the relationship,” he cautioned. He also emphasized the importance of self-control as a leadership quality, warning that a lack of discipline in small things often leads to bigger failures. “If you don’t control your sense of hearing, you will listen to gossips, and that is the downfall of a lot of leaders. They enjoy gossip,” he said. On marriage, he urged couples to avoid transactional attitudes and instead invest in one another to build stronger unions. “In a good marriage, whether you are a man or a woman, you think about how to improve the relationship. You are sowing into it, and you will reap what you sow,” he said. According to him, Christian teaching on humanity emphasizes the fallen nature of humanity, which must be redeemed to align life with God’s purpose. About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, Your Virtual University is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The ongoing Thinkathon series brings together thinkers and leaders from various fields to explore the power of ideas in shaping society. By Faustina Yeboah

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Popular Culture is Key to Driving Social Change

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Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo, of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, says that popular culture plays a decisive role in shaping society and sparking social change. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University, with Rev. Albert Ocran as part of the ongoing 17th anniversary Thinkaton series, Prof. Ampofo highlighted the importance of ideas, mentorship, and structured philanthropy in building a better future. “Ideas are the most powerful because without ideas, you don’t move, you’re stuck. You have to be thinking and dreaming about something to move somewhere,” she said. She emphasized that young people are central to this process, adding that mentoring them provides fulfillment and hope for the future. “Working with young people gives me a lot of energy. Not only do they take what you give them, but they take it further,” she noted. Prof. Ampofo also drew attention to the everyday acts of philanthropy within African societies, pointing out the need for a more structured approach. “Everybody is paying somebody’s school fees, hospital bills, funeral donations…but we are not counting it. We are doing philanthropy but it needs to be formalized and connected to science and policy,” she explained. According to her, social development must be measured by how vulnerable groups are treated. “It should be our benchmark how are we taking care of the most vulnerable?” she stressed. She further underscored the importance of imagination and vision in driving innovation. “You cannot develop if you’re not dreaming. To innovate your imagination has to be activated,” she said. About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The ongoing Thinkaton series brings together thinkers and leaders from various fields to explore the power of ideas in shaping society. By Faustina Yeboah

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African Architecture Must Blend Tradition and Innovation, Says Dr. Kuukuwa Manful

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Dr. Kuukuwa Manful, Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Michigan, has urged Africans to rethink their approach to building by integrating traditional methods with modern materials and technology. According to her, creating sustainable and culturally meaningful spaces requires a balance between professional expertise and community knowledge. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University with Rev. Albert Ocran, as part of the ongoing Thinkathon: The Power of Ideas to Shape Society series, Dr. Manful encouraged citizens and professionals alike to reconsider how buildings are designed and maintained. “More of us should be talking to architects before we start our building projects. Listen to your architects, listen to your professionals. They have good, research-based ideas,” she said. “It’s a bit of a problem here that building is very client-driven. Sometimes the architect has no choice but to go along with it. But listen to them.” Drawing lessons from history, Dr. Manful noted that traditional earth buildings were communally maintained after each rainy season, strengthening community bonds. “Even though we may not return to that fully, our concrete buildings still lack proper maintenance,” she added. She also expressed concern about the disappearance of courtyards in modern architecture. “Courtyards are semi-indoor, outdoor spaces that regulate temperature, provide social spaces, and connect people. They are disappearing from our architecture,” she observed. Drawing on her practical work, Dr. Manful emphasized community interventions such as playgrounds, reading nooks, housing consultations, and advocacy for affordable housing. “Affordable housing in our cities will lead to freedom—freedom to experiment for young people, comfort for older people, and a foundation for solving many urban challenges,” she said. About Springboard, Your Virtual University Springboard, Your Virtual University is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The ongoing Thinkathon series convenes leading thinkers and professionals from diverse fields to explore how ideas can shape society. By Faustina Yeboah