The Country Director of the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Ghana, Dr. David Oh has said that it’s important for the youth to acknowledge their God-given potential and use it for their personal and national development.
He says although God has given full potential to every single individual, there are those who limits themselves and only use just 10 percent, or 30 percent and are not able to maximise nor realize their full potential.
Dr David Oh said in his visit to several African countries, he has identified Ghana to be the best country, and as such will require its citizenry to be filled with good mindset to foster national development, regardless of their differences.
He was speaking at the 2024 National Youth Conference organized by the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Youth Authority. The 4-day event, currently ongoing at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) in Accra, hosts more than 2,000 youth from across Ghana.
During the occasion, the Pro Vice chancellor of the Koforidua Technical University Prof. Richard Ohene Asiedu in his remarks mentioned that the young people of Ghana need to acknowledge the importance of using technological opportunities which must be met with equal responsibility with vision that transcend personal gains.
Prof. Asiedu mentioned the need for participants of the conference to use the platform offered them to create connections, networking and collaborations which will have a lasting impact on their future.
He says the youth should endeavour to become job created and not only job seekers.
Remarks from other dignitaries
The Nifahene of Agona Swedru Nana Kwaku Essiani the Fith, and Regent Chief of Agona Swedru, in his remarks applauded the organizers of the event saying that he has personally benefitted from the Mindset Education series by the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Ghana. He said he used to be a quick-tempered person, yet has seen a major change in his life, much to the admiration of his family and subjects.
The Head of Strategy at GCB Bank PLC Nana Bema Kodju in her remarks said the youth are the driving force of our uncertain future. He said the youth need to build positive credit to become attractive entrepreneurs to contribute in building the national economy.
Nana Bema said GCB Bank will continue to support the youth through its various youth focused products and services, and will continue to support the youth as the bank has been doing over the past 70 years.
The Guest Speaker for the 2024 National Youth Conference Dr. Jin Sung Kim stressed on the need to have a positive mindset. He says whatever name we give to our life circumstances becomes our reality.
Dr Kim said Korea was in abject poverty and hunger in the year 18 hundreds. Dr Kim said that Mindset Education contributed immensely to the accelerated the development of South Korea, and the same will be equally needed in Ghana.
Dr Jin Sung Kim recounted how in the year 1800 Korea was underdeveloped and poor. In 1900s Japan colonized them. Koreans were being forced into battle yet were used as slaves in battle. Their Natural resources and other things were taken over by Japan until 1940, where all the other countries colonized by Japan had their independence.
1948 was when they had their first government. 2 years later there was Korean war. 1950 to 1953 where the war happened between the North and the South, which affected every single family with 10 million separated families with 100 thousand war orphans. In spite all these challenges, South Korea were able to come out that difficult economic hardship. He says a positive shift in the mindset of a people is key to realizing economic transformation.
Acknowledgement to out partners
The 4-day 2024 National Youth Conference has been made possible through the support of UPSA, GCB Bank PLC, KGL Foundation, McDan Group, FirstBanc and Engineers and Planners. Other sponsors are Sentuo Oil Refinery, Geocom Group, TLB Enterprise, MLG Engineering, B Foster Bakery, Amigo Bread Company, GB Foods, Vivo Energy. Others are Telecel Ghana, Special Ice, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority,Latex Foam, Kwarleyz Resindence, Standard Chartered Bank.
Contact IYF Public Relations Officer- Frederick Tetteh on 0241992377 or email iyfred23@gmail.com
