Don’t Be Afraid to Start Small- ADB MD

The Managing Director of Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) Dr. John Kofi Mensah has encouraged graduates in the country to be self-employed and not seek to be employed.

He suggested the need for graduates to initiate their own businesses immediately or just before they leave school and added that no graduate should be afraid to start small.

Speaking at the Ghana Technology University College 19th congregation Dr Kofi Mensah said “what is very important is that you have as a priority the zeal to be an entrepreneur as part of your career progression objectives”.

He continued: “take advantage and constantly monitor trends in government policies to easily identify new opportunities. You will also need to be multi-tasked and do not see the achievements today as an end in itself, but a means to an end. Again, for this training to be meaningful, you must be able to endure the challenges that lie ahead. This can only happen if you are prepared to exhibit versatility and creativity to take appropriate control of your own future and space. The real value of the degree awarded you today lie in how you apply the training you have received in the real-world situation which would require ingenuity”.

Dr Kofi Mensah pointed out that Ghana has witnessed a significant increase in entrepreneurs ranging from Education, ICT, Health, Banking & Finance, Airline and Construction. He said the private sector is gradually becoming the largest employer of our graduates and so Ghanaians should aim at being employers.

The MD urged his audience not to be afraid to start small businesses because many of the big companies they are seeking to see and dream to work with started on table tops, in kiosks, car booths, eatery joints or some street corner. As you dream it, believe it and it can be achieved.

The theme for this event “Promoting Entrepreneurship and Business Growth in Ghana: The role of tertiary education” according to ADB MD, was exceptionally appropriate, because it has become important for Universities to produce more entrepreneurs to support the growth of the private sector.

“Today you join other graduates with similar qualifications, but what will set you apart will be your ability to contribute meaningfully to productivity at your work places  through innovation backed by technology” he added.

He congratulated the 167 postgraduate students for their tireless efforts in achieving this enviable feat in the field of finance, oil & gas management, supply chain management, engineering & management, engineering project management and management information systems.

Dr. Kofi Mensah told the new graduates   that formal education alone is not enough but values such as; honesty, team spirit, commitment, patriotism, respect for your fellow man and humility is important to help them be the entrepreneurs the  nation requires to foster business growth.