UPSA hosts 11th ICBMED Conference to strengthen Africa trade for rapid economic growth
Report by Ben LARYEA
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has organized the 11th edition of the International Conference on Business Management and Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED) from 25th to 26th May, 2026, under the theme, ‘’ESG and Sustainability in Focus; What Does It Mean for Africa and Global Trade?’’
The 2 day event witnessed speakers including Mr. Elikem Kotoko, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Forestry, Commission, Mr. Abdulsalam , Alhassan, Executive Director, Wholesale and Investment Ghana Commercial Bank, Mr. Ade Adebajo, Chief Executive Officer, Spring Global and Investment.
The rest are, Mr. Humphrey Tetteh, President /Founder of Association of Africa Sustainability Practitioners. Madam Clara Pinkrah – Sam, Founder and CEO of Clatural Academy for Sustainable Art. Mr. Alexander Osei Mensah, General Manager, Operations, Holland Insurance among others.
Participants include academia, development partners, researchers, industry, players, sustainability practitioners, management, staff and students of UPSA as well as sponsors of the programme.
In his opening remarks, the Vice – Chancellor, of UPSA, Prof. John Kweku Mawutor said the event is about exploring how ESG and sustainability can be translated from global discourse into practical action for Africa and the future of global trade, adding that ESG and sustainability are central to business competiveness attraction of investment, regulatory credibility workforce preparedness in the global trading systems.
The conference theme he said, will challenged stakeholders and other industry players to interrogate what ESG and sustainability mean for Africa trade and how it should influence corporate strategy, investment strategy, public policy, investment decisions, to position Africa within global trade systems.
The Vice- Chancellor added that ICBMED reflects on broader vision that continues to strengthen UPSA’s standing values as a flagship research hub in Ghana in the areas of business entrepreneurs, policy engagement and sustainability leadership through the University’s industry focused curriculum.
He however urged participants to deliberate and discuss on issues to help translate research into action for ESG to strengthen entrepreneurship eco – systems, leverage digital transformation, green innovation and data systems to enhance productivity, transparency and long – term competiveness.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Mr. Elikem Kotoko said ESG plays a significant role in building Africa economy towards industrial transformation, trade competiveness and long – term economic resilience, adding that the event will continue to create the needed platform for stakeholders to be abreast with emerging trends in innovations, global trade,and entrepreneurship which forms part of the effort to strenghten Africa towards global markets.
