Business mogul and philanthropist, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has called on the youth to adopt a disciplined lifestyle, save aggressively, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset to overcome the challenges of starting and sustaining businesses in Ghana.
Speaking at the “Entrepreneurial Mindset and Leadership for the Youth Symposium” in Sunyani, Bono Regional capital on Saturday, February 22, 2025 Ken Agyapong emphasized the importance of living a substantive life. He advised unmarried youth to save at least 70% of their income to accumulate seed capital for business ventures.
“The journey to entrepreneurship begins with self-discipline. If you are not married, this is the time to save aggressively. Set aside 70% of your income as seed capital for your future business. Challenge yourselves, work hard, and remain honest in all your dealings,” the former lawmaker for Assin Central urged.
He also highlighted the critical role of confidence, hard work, and integrity in achieving success. “Believe in yourself, but remember that confidence alone is not enough. You must combine it with hard work and honesty to truly succeed,” he added.
Agyapong expressed concern over the lack of access to capital, which he described as one of the biggest obstacles to doing business in Ghana. He encouraged the youth to explore innovative ways to raise funds and start small-scale businesses that can grow over time.
The business leader also cautioned against building businesses alongside family members, citing cultural challenges that often lead to the collapse of such ventures. “In our culture, mixing family and business is a recipe for failure. Our cultural dynamics do not support this approach, so it’s better to build your business independently,” he advised.
The symposium, which brought together students from six tertiary institutions, including the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), College of Health-Yamfo, University of Mines and Technology, Catholic University of Ghana-Fiapre, University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), and Sunyani Technical University (STU), aimed to inspire the next generation of Ghanaian entrepreneurs.
Mr. Agyapong’s address resonated deeply with the students, many of whom expressed gratitude for the practical advice and motivation.
One of the participants, Abdulai Zakaria said, “His words have challenged me to rethink my approach to savings and entrepreneurship. I now see the importance of starting small and staying disciplined.”
The event concluded with a call to action for the youth to take charge of their futures by embracing entrepreneurship, leadership, and a mindset of resilience.
By: Claude Kumi Abisa-Sunyani, Bono Region
