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Beyond the textbook: Inside the curriculum behind Sri Lanka’s first teen Master of Business

Twelve modules. 100 contact hours. A faculty of practicing professionals. Here is exactly what a Teen Academy graduate will be able to do – and who is teaching them to do it.

As Teen Academy’s first cohort prepares to begin on 8 August at the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), the conversation is moving from why a Teen Master of Business matters to what, precisely, it teaches. The answer is deliberately specific: not a general awareness course, but a 12-module, 100-hour curriculum in which every module ends in something a student has actually built, pitched, or defended – a business model, a brand, a legal risk assessment, a live micro-enterprise. “We didn’t want to teach teenagers about business. We wanted to build a program where, by module 12, each one has actually run a business – with real initiative, a real team, and a real pitch to a real panel. That’s the difference between knowing a concept and holding a competency.” said Teen Academy Founder and Program Director Bradley Emerson.

A journey, not a syllabus

The 12 modules are built across four deliberate arcs – each one raising the bar on what a student is expected to actually do, not just understand. By the end, a Teen Academy candidate carries a working vocabulary in strategy, finance, brand, leadership, ethics, negotiation and digital business – earned through 100 contact hours of building, not memorising.

1. The foundation: Mindset, markets and business model

Before a single spreadsheet is opened, students are taught to think like founders – to spot a real problem before they are shown a real solution. From there they move into live market research and customer discovery, and finish this arc having built and defended a complete model for a venture of their own. Nothing here is theoretical; every concept is tested against a business the student has chosen themselves.

2. The operating skillset: Finance, brand, leadership and digital/AI

This is where the venture becomes real on paper and under pressure. Students build financial plans they have to defend, brands they have to launch, teams they have to lead through simulated conflict, and a digital strategy built with the same AI tools shaping the workplaces they will graduate into. By design, this is the most demanding stretch of the program – and the one employers tell us matters most.

3. Judgement under constraint: Ethics, communication, design thinking and law

Competence without judgement is a liability. This arc is where students are forced to hold two things at once – what is profitable and what is right – while learning to persuade a room, prototype under a deadline, and understand the legal ground they are standing on. It is the part of the curriculum most business schools save for postgraduate level; we start it at 16.

4. The proof – Capstone: Launch your business

Every module before this one has been building toward a single test: can the student actually do it, with real money, a real team, and a live audience of external judges. The capstone is not a presentation. It is a functioning micro-enterprise, launched and operated by the student, with the numbers to show for it.

Learning from practitioners, not just academics

Every module is taught by a working professional in that exact discipline – not a generalist teacher moving through a syllabus. The faculty of twelve includes an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court, bank vice presidents, marketing directors, a CMA regional director, and founders of their own consultancies.

New system to settle Uganda-China transactions in Yuan

Uganda and China are set to deepen their trade ties following the introduction of a new payment system that will allow businesses to settle trade bills directly in Chinese yuan, reducing reliance on the dollar.

A report by Stanbic Bank indicates that access to China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), facilitated through its parent network Standard Bank, will enable faster, cheaper, and more predictable transactions for Ugandan traders dealing with Chinese counterparts. The system is expected to significantly cut transaction costs and reduce settlement timelines from several days to just a few hours.

By removing the need to route payments through the dollar, businesses will also avoid double currency conversions and foreign exchange risks. According to the report, the adoption of CIPS eliminates the role of multiple intermediary banks, a key source of delays and additional charges in international trade payments. ‘It will cut settlement times from standard multi-day processing down to just a few hours, protect local importers and exporters from unexpected shifts in dollar exchange rates, and offer full visibility and predictability over payment statuses so businesses can resolve delays quickly,’ the report states.

This will enhance transparency and traceability of payments, offering businesses clearer cash flow planning and reducing traditional clearance bottlenecks that have long complicated cross-border transactions. Under the new arrangement, outward telegraphic transfers are charged an equivalent of Shs60,000 per transaction, excluding external correspondent bank fees, while inward transfers attract a charge of 0.25 percent of the transaction value, with a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $50. Currency conversions between the shilling, dollar and Chinese yuan will attract a forex spread determined by Stanbic Bank’s Global Markets division, based on prevailing market conditions.

Stanbic also offers yuan-denominated accounts for businesses and individuals engaged in trade with China, helping them hedge against forex volatility. Speaking at the launch of the system, Stanbic Chief Executive Mumba Kalifungwa said the move would strengthen Uganda’s position as an attractive destination for Chinese investment. ‘Chinese cumulative Foreign Direct Investment in Uganda has surpassed the $1b mark, with licensed investments reaching approximately $1.2 billion. This follows a strong period where direct investment capital exceeded Shs3 trillion. China consistently ranks among Uganda’s top two sources of foreign investment,’ he said.

State Minister for Trade David Bahati described China as a critical trade and industrial partner, noting that investments from the country continue to grow, particularly in manufacturing, industry, and the oil sector.

‘I am extremely pleased with the launch of this payment system. It will accelerate payments for goods and services between the two countries, and I encourage more Chinese industrialists to invest in Uganda,’ he said. With trade between the two countries steadily expanding, the adoption of yuan-based settlement is expected to streamline transactions, improve efficiency, and further strengthen the Uganda-China economic corridor.

GFA Prioritises Player Welfare At U-17 Girls Championship

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) placed player safety and welfare at the centre of the Elite U-17 Girls Championship by successfully implementing comprehensive safeguarding measures throughout the tournament at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence (GSCE) in Prampram.

Ahead of the competition, the GFA carried out a detailed safeguarding risk assessment covering child protection, player welfare, medical support, emergency response procedures, venue safety, and security to ensure a safe environment for all participants.

As part of its safeguarding programme, players were educated on recognising and preventing abuse in football, understanding the different forms of abuse, and using the appropriate reporting channels to raise concerns. Designated female safeguarding officers were also available throughout the championship to provide support and assistance to the young players.

The Association further maintained high player welfare standards during the competition by ensuring qualified medical personnel were on-site. Teams were encouraged to seek immediate medical attention whenever players required care, reinforcing the GFA’s commitment to protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of every participant.

Air Force promotes Rumesh Tharanga after historic Commonwealth Games gold

The Sri Lanka Air Force has promoted Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rumesh Tharanga from the rank of Corporal to Sergeant in recognition of his historic men’s javelin throw victory at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The promotion was conferred by Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, recognising Tharanga’s performance, which secured Sri Lanka’s first Commonwealth Games athletics gold medal.

The Air Force Commander also commended coach Retired Warrant Officer Tony Prasanna for his role in preparing the athlete and acknowledged the contribution of masseur Corporal Chandima Gurusinghe for his support throughout the campaign.

The Sri Lanka Air Force said the recognition reflected not only Tharanga’s individual achievement but also the collective effort of the team behind his success, describing the accomplishment as one that brought honour to both the Air Force and the country.

GNAD Trains Women, Girls With Disabilities On Advocacy, Leadership

The Ghana National Association of the Deaf, in partnership with the Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in Ghana and with support from UNDP and the Global Disability Fund, has held a two-day capacity building training for women and girls with disabilities on advocacy and leadership in Tamale.

The programme focused on leadership, governance, data-driven advocacy, and knowledge of rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Ghana’s Persons with Disabilities Act, Act 715. The goal is to equip women and girls with disabilities to influence policy, engage decision-makers, and take up leadership roles.

Ghana ratified the UNCRPD in 2008 and passed Act 715 the same year. Article 6(1) of the Convention specifically recognises that women and girls with disabilities face multiple forms of discrimination and calls on states to ensure their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights.

Addressing participants, Executive Secretary of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf, Juventus Duorinaah, Esq., said women with disabilities continue to face exclusion. ‘Women with disabilities are less likely to take up leadership positions, and more likely to face discrimination and limited participation in governance and decision-making,’ he said.

He added that within OPDs, deaf women, blind women, women with albinism, women with mental health conditions and women with cerebral palsy face even greater barriers due to limited access to information, low awareness of their rights, and weak participation in organisational governance.

‘Beyond social and institutional barriers, we recognise a capacity gap. Limited capacity prevents them from participating effectively in decision-making and advocating for their rights,’ Mr. Duorinaah stated. He explained that the training was held solely for women and girls to create a safe space where they can learn at their own pace and contribute freely, given the intersection of disability, gender and cultural factors.

He urged participants to build networks and use the knowledge gained to advocate for their rights and the rights of others.

Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Paul Akuamoah Boateng commended GNAD and partners for advancing disability inclusion. ‘Inclusive development is not just policy. It is about ensuring every individual, regardless of disability, has equal opportunities to participate and thrive,’ he said.

He noted that women and girls with disabilities still face stigma, limited access to education, jobs, justice and leadership, especially in underserved regions. He said UNDP’s focus is to move beyond awareness to practical skills that drive change, and stressed that Ghana cannot achieve the SDGs without women and girls with disabilities as leaders and partners.

Participant representative, Madam Adam Ayishetu of GAPA, thanked the organisers.

‘We did not know we had the right to request documents from MMDAs. Now we know the laws and how to use them to demand accessibility and accountability,’ she said.

Reversing The Gains Of Democracy

We have reached where we are today because of the heroic efforts by cherishers of democracy, some of whom did so by shedding their blood.

At the time the culture of silence permeated all facets of the Ghanaian society, it took such heroes of democracy to stand up to be counted as those who wanted a non-dictatorial political ambience for the country.

When eventually the seismic change we yearned for came, replacing the culture of silence, the wind of democracy blew without inhibition.

Nobody thought the milestone would not remain a permanent feature of our political life. Time has proven that with persons spotting questionable integrity taking over the mantle of leadership, things would change.

Elections, it is said, have consequences -positive or negative. Today, a reversal of that critical feature of democracy, free speech, has never been so threatened as in recent times. And to think this followed the outcome of an election proves the saying that, indeed, there are consequences to how we choose our leaders.

Those who have cause to express themselves regarding governance must be wary of being arrested and jailed because the times have changed.

So many people have been arrested roughly and some denied access to lawyers simply because their expressions were unpalatable to the government.

All of a sudden the clock of democratic progress has been set back. Many have even lost count of the number of persons arrested so far through the irresponsible use of the powers of the state.

Of course this is not right and doubtlessly a threat to free speech. Ghanaians would not have voted for the NDC and President John Mahama if they had understood the implication of the latter’s reset agenda.

As we compose this commentary, another person has been picked up. The whereabouts of Richard Nana Basoah of Ahwenepa FM are unknown, part of the ongoing spate of arrests.

The Government Spokesperson, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has served notice that anybody who threatens the President would be arrested. It is a crime to threaten anybody irrespective of the status of such persons in society. Those who breach the law by threatening others must be taken through due process, not picked up by hooded security officers and hidden in unknown locations. Assaulting women suspected to have offended the President and even deceiving them to plead guilty when they know not the implication therein is not the law.

Today, one of the two dominant political parties in the country is demonstrating against selective justice and, of course, the threat to free speech.

The threat to free speech and selective justice are rife today. Paradoxically, President Mahama in his open letter to President Akufo-Addo in 2022 expressed disgust at the antiquated practice of arresting persons because of their unpleasing expressions.

In any case, the number of persons arrested over free speech within the less than two years of the John Mahama administration has surpassed the number recorded in the eight years of the Akufo-Addo presidency.

That the President has told Ghanaians that those who express hate speech would be traced and arrested through their IP addresses is enough to tell all that free speech is under threat.

Chad Gammad hits back at critics over relationship with Apple David

Basketball player Chad Gammad defended his girlfriend, courtside reporter Apple David, after the couple once again received criticisms over their age gap.

The issue resurfaced after Chad shared a heartfelt Facebook post for Girlfriend’s Day on August 1, where he paid tribute to Apple. While many netizens greeted the couple, others left negative comments about their relationship.

Chad later responded to the bashers, calling out those who continued to criticize Apple.

‘Mag-isip-isip naman kayo bago kayo mag-comment o baka may sira talaga sa utak n’yo. Wala naman ginawang masama si Apple sa inyo ba’t ganun kayo kabilis mag-bash ‘tas sabihin n’yo na naman na si Apple nag-comment neto,’ he wrote.

This is not the first time the couple has addressed the issue.

Last June, Apple denied accusations on social media that she had “groomed” Chad, saying the allegations did not reflect their relationship.

”Di ko siya ginu-groom, wala sa qualifications. ‘Yung nangyayari sa amin, malayong-malayo sa grooming so ‘wag n’yong ipilit,’ she said in a video.

She also challenged those making the accusations to take formal action if they believed any wrongdoing had occurred.

‘Kung gusto n’yong ipilit, again, go. Story n’yo ‘yan… bakit hindi n’yo ireklamo at ipaimbestiga,’ she added.

My wife fired ‘babe’ and started using my full name

Dear David, Your experience sounds familiar to me from my counselling practice. While the triggers may differ slightly in various scenarios, the underlying pattern remains the same. What do I mean by this? What you perceive as her no longer referring to you affectionately by name or title may reflect a deeper sense of resignation or a gradual loss of warmth in your marriage over time, possibly unnoticed, and hopefully not taken for granted. It is also not surprising that the turning point you recall was that argument. It might not have been the first disagreement; rather, it could represent a culmination of conflicts over the months or years that diminished her desire to be warm and affectionate towards you.

What causes wives to withdraw and retreat into themselves? Often, husbands maintain certain aspects, such as providing for the family’s needs or giving gifts, but they neglect their wives’ true emotional needs. I will set aside the topic of intimacy for now. You have described the consequences without offering specific details. However, consider this: what would happen if you stopped listening to or valuing her perspective on important family matters, even if you are the primary breadwinner? What if you hurt her feelings without genuinely apologising, or if you did apologise but continued the same behavior afterward? What if she felt neglected in favour of your friends and family, becoming an outsider?

What if you never admitted you were wrong and always remained defensive? What happens when you do not ‘see her’ or ‘acknowledge her’? Initially, she may tolerate this behaviour and keep trying, but eventually, she may give up on showing affection and on making you happy. She could end up living with you out of habit. Even intimacy might become something that serves you rather than her. Resentment and anger will likely build up, leading to a lack of genuine respect. This could result in living more like roommates than as a couple. Perhaps you have not reached that point yet, and the fact that she still calls your son nice names gives you a chance to rebuild the warmth you desire in your relationship. If you are serious about rekindling the connection, I highly recommend seeking professional marriage counselling.

It will not be a quick fix, but it can make you aware of how serious things might have become without your notice, helping to prevent further decline in your nine-year marriage. You may have unintentionally pushed her away over the years, and the recent incident could represent the first visible sign of this. Other signs may have already occurred without your realisation. She may be acting in the hope that you will take notice. I also hope infidelity is not involved, as that would complicate matters further. Take action to revitalise the warm relationship you once shared. Seek professional help.

Take your power back

Shalot Shaz Kirungi. Work hard to earn that respect back. Instead of arguing with her, try to be romantic as if you have just met for the first time. Buy her gifts, take her on trips, and reignite your love. Also, consider how you address her. Are you being romantic even when she is not? Sometimes, we reflect how we are treated. Ensure you are fulfilling all your responsibilities as the man of the house, from being present in your relationship to providing for the family’s needs. It is difficult to call you ‘babe’ if you are being irresponsible. If you want to earn praise and respect again, you need to put in the effort. Otherwise, there is a chance she may stop calling you by your name and start referring to you by your mother’s name. Good luck.

Dennis Asiimwe. When addressing her, use her full name. Additionally, feel free to include details such as her academic qualifications, professional title, or job title. If she prefers a more formal approach, you can certainly make it very formal. While it can be entertaining to playfully engage in these name-addressing games, it is crucial to recognise that the underlying issue may be more serious. If the warmth in your relationship has faded, it is important to find out why and work on rebuilding that connection. Sometimes, what starts as a minor change in how couples address each other can signal a larger problem that has been quietly developing over time. So, while you can indulge in this playful game, remember to prioritise fixing the marriage.

Harriet Sheryl. When a woman calls you by your real name or ‘sweetheart’ during an argument, take notice; it is a significant sign. If she is angry, she should use a nickname instead. I have experienced this too: when I called Mutabani wa Pharaoh ‘sweetheart’ in a disagreement or used his real name, he knew things were serious. Choose a time when you are both in good spirits to have a conversation. Start simply, and gradually address any deeper issues she may be holding back. Many women keep important feelings to themselves, which might lead to a surprising breakup over unresolved matters. So, David, pay attention to changes in how she addresses you. It may seem small, but it can indicate deeper issues at play.

Sarah Nakato. You are focusing on the name, but you may be missing the real problem. A woman does not just wake up one morning and decide to stop calling her husband ‘sweetheart’ for no reason. Do not fight her over what she calls you. Instead, ask yourself what changed between you two. Are you still talking? Do you listen when she complains? Do you appreciate her? Do you spend time together outside the bedroom? Take her somewhere quiet, put the phones away and talk. And please, David, listen without defending yourself. Sometimes a woman is not looking for an argument or a solution. She just wants to know that you heard her. The name is only the symptom. Find the disease.

Govt announces mandatory inspection of Sinotrucks in Greater Kampala

Government has announced a two-month window, during which it will inspect all Sinotrucks in Greater Kampala, which includes Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, and parts of Mpigi and Kayunga, warning to impound those that fail to comply with the directive.

The Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety in the Ministry of Works, Mr Winstone Katushabe, says enforcement of the inspection will be preceded by next week’s meeting between his ministry, Sinotrucks owners and police.

‘All Sinotrucks in Greater Kampala are to undergo mandatory inspection within 60 days, while all drivers must be accredited to establish who they are. Their drivers must be vetted like bus drivers,’ Mr Katushabe said on Wednesday, warning: ‘Sinotrucks that will not have been inspected will be impounded.

He added: ‘We have scheduled a meeting with all owners and police have been asked to attend, so that there is no congestion when the exercise is rolled out. After Greater Kampala, the exercise will be rolled out to all areas.’

According to Mr Katushabe, operations will later shift to taxi drivers, boda boda riders, and car bonds, who will specifically be tasked to explain why issuing number plates is delayed, with a plan to have the time taken to register vehicles reduced from eight hours to an hour.

Justification

Mr Apollo Kashanku, the Assistant Commissioner in-charge of Road Transport Regulation and Safety, who has been charged with spearheading the enforcement, says they have a concern with Sinotrucks, which he said are ‘accident-prone’ and carry a lot of tonnage because they are very heavy.

‘We understand that some countries are not comfortable with these Sinotrucks on the road; so, we want to study the problem further, and also to focus on them and see why they are causing accidents. Are the drivers well trained? Do they know how to operate these vehicles?

‘Because they are not normal vehicles, but heavy-load vehicles. Then, secondly, are the vehicles in good working condition? Do they have good brakes that support that kind of load? So, we want to focus on them because apparently, one in every five accidents involves Sinotrucks.’

Sinotrucks are heavy-duty trucks manufactured in China; however, in Uganda, a growing demand for construction and logistics equipment has created a robust need to support the transportation of materials and equipment.

Most recently, on Monday, at least 14 people perished in a road crash involving a taxi and a Sinotruck, which was transporting sand at Lwera Swamp along the Kampala-Masaka Highway in Kalungu District.

Greater Masaka Regional Police spokesperson, Twaha Kasirye, confirmed the death on the spot of all14 occupants of the ill-fated taxi, while four other victims, including two from each vehicle, sustained injuries and were rushed to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.

Mr Frank Agaba, 54, says he has driven a Sinotruck before, but notes that they have ‘gearbox issues’, and ‘always fail to ascend’, leading to serious accidents. ‘They are also overloaded, and can’t be compared to, say, the Isuzu or three axle trucks (Magulu Kumi),’

The development follows an impromptu operation by the Ministry of Works, Directorate of Police and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) at Namirembe Road Bus Terminal in Kampala, where the team uncovered a laundry list of issues, with its management fanning ignorance.

Some unsettling confirmation was that a big portion of the park had been taken up by cargo trucks, and not the buses for which the facility was primarily licensed, and there were more buses (six) than what licences provided for (three).

Mr Katushabe said they have held a meeting with the leadership of KCCA, and agreed that buses only load passengers in gazetted parks, not ‘gazetted garages’, and that the impromptu operation, including another held earlier at Kisenyi Bus Terminal, followed several complaints from the general public.

At Kisenyi Bus Terminal, about three of the buses that were sampled were found noncompliant for route charts and passenger service vehicles (PSVs), among other statutory requirements, while a number of brokers were found fighting for passengers.

The operation at Kisenyi Bus Terminal further revealed persistent lapses in the transport sector, including the issuance of fake tickets allegedly by the elusive brokers, prompting a directive from Mr Katushabe that every bus company should have uniformed guides.

Mr Saturday Muhwezi, the General Manager of Kisenyi Bus Terminal, said they have set up a seven-member committee that will see two uniformed guides allocated to each bus to curb the errant brokers.

Onaiyekan: Presidency to deepen consultations with Catholic bishops, others

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, stated this while responding to reactions following President Bola Tinubu’s last week meeting with the leadership of CBCN, during which the bishops raised concerns over rising insecurity, economic hardship, democracy and the conduct of elections.

The Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who was part of the delegation, said on Arise TV that the President disagreed with their assessment, insisting that his administration was making progress.

Two presidential spokespersons, Temitope Ajayi and Daniel Bwala, tackled Onaiyekan, saying it was inappropriate for the cardinal to publicly give his own account and interpretation of what transpired at the private meeting between the bishops and Tinubu.