Author name: Faustina Yeboah

News, Virtual University

Springboard Virtual University at 18: Young People Rethink Marriage, Relationships and Readiness

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Young people have challenged conventional expectations about marriage, saying the decision to marry should be based on personal values, compatibility, readiness and the ability to build together rather than simply meeting social expectations. The views emerged during a special 18th anniversary edition of Springboard, Your Virtual University, which gave young people an opportunity to speak openly about marriage, dating, friendships, mentoring, networking and the pressures that shape their choices. The broadcast, themed What Young People Are Saying, deliberately moved away from giving young people prescribed answers and instead invited them to share their actual views, including areas where they were uncertain or disagreed with one another. One of the most striking debates centred on whether young people should wait until they were financially established before getting married. One participant said he would want to have his own house, a vehicle, sufficient money and a trust fund for his future children before marriage. He said he would have no problem getting married at 50 if that was what it took to achieve those goals. The position, however, was challenged by Charles Karim Bosomprah, Chief Executive Officer of Prymage Consultancy, who argued that marriage could also be a partnership in which two people build their future together. Mr Bosomprah said young people could find the right person and begin building together rather than waiting until they had completed every personal and financial goal. He explained that couples who understand the journey they are beginning together can achieve more by building as partners than by trying to complete everything individually before marriage. The discussion also raised questions about whether young people are placing too much emphasis on physical appearance when choosing partners. While some participants prioritised values, another openly admitted that physical attraction would come first because a person needed to be attracted to someone before taking time to discover their values. The debate over marriage also extended to age, with participants offering different views on the appropriate time to marry and whether a partner should be older or younger. Rather than settling on a single answer, the discussion highlighted the increasingly individual nature of decisions about marriage among young people. The broadcast then turned to another area of concern: how young people build relationships and professional networks. Participants debated whether relationships should be deliberately targeted or allowed to develop organically. While some supported deliberately approaching people whose experience or networks could contribute to their growth, others warned against approaching relationships solely for personal gain. One participant said young people often focus on what they can get from accomplished people without considering what they themselves can contribute. Mr. Chris Diaba, a People Capability leader and coach who participated in the discussion, similarly stressed the importance of becoming valuable to others in building meaningful relationships. He said people who value relationships should not focus only on what others can do for them, but should also consider how they can support and add value to those relationships. The discussion formed the second part of the special anniversary series, following an earlier edition that focused on themes including leadership, career development, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and technology. For host Pastor Albert Ocran, the decision to place young people at the centre of the anniversary conversations was deliberate. He said Springboard could not assume that intelligent, ambitious and accomplished young people did not have ideas of their own, stressing the importance of allowing them to express those ideas freely. He also encouraged participants to remain open to changing their views when new knowledge and life experiences challenged their earlier positions. The special broadcast marked 18 years since Springboard, Your Virtual University began broadcasting on August 4, 2008. Pastor Albert Ocran used the anniversary to acknowledge the programme’s listeners and viewers, resource persons, sponsors, media partners and production team, whose support has sustained the programme over the years. The anniversary conversation ultimately revealed a generation that is willing to question established expectations about marriage, financial readiness, relationships and personal development. Rather than presenting one definition of what young adulthood should look like, the young participants offered different perspectives, openly acknowledged uncertainty and challenged one another’s assumptions. For Springboard, Your Virtual University, the significance of the 18th anniversary was therefore not only a celebration of how far the programme has come, but also an opportunity to listen to the generation it has spent nearly two decades speaking to. Watch full episode here… https://www.youtube.com/live/aSkI9sLvTUw?si=DdWNgwLkSNXezpqE About Springboard, Your Virtual University Springboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast produced by the Springboard Road Show Foundation and hosted by Pastor Albert Ocran. The broadcast airs every Sunday at 7 PM on  Joy 99.7 FM and on Springboard Channel (YouTube)  and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. Marketing & Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Hangout, News

Businesses Owned by Persons With Disabilities Must Be Treated as Businesses, Not Charity

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President of the Ghana Chamber for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, Mr. Alexander Tetteh, has called for a change in the way businesses owned by persons with disabilities are perceived, urging the public to treat them as legitimate businesses rather than charity projects. He said buying products from entrepreneurs with disabilities out of sympathy may offer temporary support, but does little to help their businesses become sustainable and competitive. “Sometimes when disabled people produce products, we don’t see it as a business. We see it as a charity,” Mr. Tetteh said. “We should see it with a business eye, so that we support them to grow and expand. But if we see it as charity, it will not grow.” He made the remarks during an episode of Springboard Hangout with Comfort Ocran, which focused on redefining inclusion and creating greater opportunities for persons with disabilities. The discussion featured young entrepreneur Elisha Kofi Foli, Founder of Mycocostuff Ghana, whose business turns discarded coconut shells into eco-friendly products, including cups, plates, phone stands, earrings, buttons, and other household and fashion accessories. Mr. Foli explained that he started the business after observing the large amounts of coconut waste in his community, particularly after rainfall and flooding. Rather than focusing only on plastic waste, he decided to find value in another common form of waste. His business now employs three people on a part-time basis, with the potential to create more jobs as demand increases. However, market acceptance remains one of his major challenges. Mr. Foli noted that some customers focus on his disability and approach his products with sympathy instead of appreciating their quality and commercial value. That experience, he said, has strengthened his determination to demonstrate that persons with disabilities can build viable businesses and contribute meaningfully to society. Mr. Tetteh said the Ghana Chamber for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, which has mobilized more than 4,000 entrepreneurs with disabilities, works to address some of these challenges through market access, funding opportunities, training and policy advocacy. The Chamber also creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to exhibit their products and connect with potential customers. Beyond market access, Mr. Tetteh called for more inclusive business policies, noting that not every person with a disability would find employment in the formal sector. He therefore advocated for entrepreneurship to be included in policies aimed at improving employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. He also stressed the need for accessible public spaces, respectful language and positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities. For him, inclusion goes beyond physical access. It requires society to recognise persons with disabilities as equal participants in education, employment, business and public life. Mr. Foli, who won the Most Resilient Award at the Enterprise Spotlight Challenge, a youth entrepreneurship challenge by the Enterprise Group with technical support from Springboard Road Show Foundation in April 2026,  encouraged persons with disabilities to be confident, pursue available opportunities and stand up for their rights within the law. The discussion formed part of Springboard Hangout with Comfort Ocran’s ongoing conversation on redefining inclusion and promoting a society where persons with disabilities can pursue dignified and fulfilling work. Watch the full interview here… https://www.youtube.com/live/2RQCakxBI_U?si=jmHkbefN-5iLR1Tf About Springboard Hangout Springboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centred show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences aimed at educating, entertaining, and equipping the next generation. The programme airs every Saturday at 4:00 PM on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel on Facebook and YouTube. Marketing & Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

News

Ghana needs urgent agriculture reforms to compete across Africa – Rev Ocran

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Co-founder of the Springboard Roadshow Foundation and an Executive Coach, Rev. Albert Ocran, has called for urgent action to remove bottlenecks stifling the agriculture and agribusiness sectors to enable the country to be at par with its compatriots across the continent. According to him, although the agriculture and agribusiness sector ranks among the fastest-growing industries in Africa, it does not feature among Ghana’s own top five fastest-growing sectors, even though it remains the country’s largest employer. “You visit a tea or coffee farm in Kenya or Morocco and it’s not just the plantation and processing but it’s also a tourist attraction. At a typical restaurant, in these countries, almost every item on the breakfast table is locally made. These are value chains we must begin to explore as we push ourselves to the next level in our journey as a country,” Rev Ocran said. He was speaking in Accra today (August 12) at the Impact Leaders Breakfast (ILB) which was held on the theme: “Leading Together with Global Insight for Local Impact”. The event is an exclusive forum that brings together business executives, investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, development partners and innovators to inspire leadership, unlock investment and accelerate sustainable development. Agribusiness PotentialRev Ocran, who has been educating the youth on mindset change and work readiness through the Ghana Grows Program, said across the agric value chain, there are many opportunities that our Ghanaian youth are beginning to take advantage of. In the past few years, several interventions have been put in place opening the sector and creating jobs for young people. He said stronger value chains would create opportunities for young farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses while helping the country compete more effectively with other countries on the continent. He also urged leaders at all levels to study successful models from other countries and adapt them to local realities. “ Additionally, he stressed on the need for leaders to understand the country’s demographics, communities and development needs before introducing solutions developed elsewhere.“Ghana had significant opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness but unlocking them would require collaboration among government, businesses, investors, traditional leaders, young people and other stakeholders,” he said. Other critical sectorsTouching on other critical aspect of the economy, Rev. Ocran identified information and communication technology (ICT), transport, storage and logistics, trade and repair of vehicles, mining and quarrying, and oil and gas as some of the country’s fastest-growing industries. “Information and communication technology, up 25 per cent in the first quarter of this year,” he said, adding that transport, storage and logistics followed with 13 per cent growth. He said trade and repair of vehicles recorded nine per cent growth and contributed 14.8 per cent to the economy, while mining and quarrying and oil and gas also remained important sectors. The Convener of the Impact Leaders Breakfast and Chief Executive Officer of Prebbie Group, Kafui Prebbie, also said Africa needed to create opportunities for young people to start and grow businesses while building an ecosystem of investors capable of providing funding for promising entrepreneurs. “We need to bring together the ecosystem of investors so that we can invest in those people that we grow” he said. On technology, Mr Prebbie said artificial intelligence was changing the way businesses operated and stressed the need for people to learn how to use the technology ethically. Panel discussionDuring a panel discussion, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OML Africa, Anita Wife-Asinor, said African businesses needed stronger systems for identifying, developing and retaining talent.She said businesses often focused on recruiting workers without putting adequate systems in place to assess, develop and retain them. “We have to define actually the team we are talking about. And then we have to devise a plan. There has to be a plan. And this plan has to be strategic,” she said. Ms Wife-Asinor also called for stronger leadership development, saying managers needed training in personal leadership, emotional intelligence, constructive feedback and talent management. She said businesses also needed to create workplace cultures where employees felt safe to express ideas and make suggestions without fear of victimisation. The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Grey Parrot IO, Papa Kwame Anane, also urged entrepreneurs to move beyond passion and build strong systems, structures and governance if they wanted their businesses to survive and scale.“Passion sells the dream. But it’s systems, structures, governance, compliance. These are the things that are going to take it to the next level,” he said.He said entrepreneurs also needed to pay attention to financial management and other systems required to sustain their businesses. The Chief Executive Officer of Bako Group Holdings, Bako Ambianda, said Africa had no shortage of ideas or capital but lacked sufficient execution.“There are abundant ideas in Africa. It’s abundant capital in Africa. But what we are lacking is the execution of a lot of those ideas,” he said. He urged investors to focus on the capacity and mindset of entrepreneurs alongside the strength of their business ideas. Mr Ambianda said proper governance, systems, training and mentorship were necessary to help businesses grow from local enterprises into companies capable of expanding across Africa. He said Africa needed systems capable of preparing businesses from the beginning to meet governance and operational standards required for expansion across markets. By Joshua Bediako Koomson – Daily Graphic

Hangout

“Turning 60 Is Not the End. It Is Time to Contribute More” – Comfort Ocran

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Turning 60 should not be seen as the end of one’s productive years but as an opportunity to make an even greater contribution to society, Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, Comfort Ocran, has said. Speaking on Springboard Hangout, Mrs. Ocran challenged the common perception that growing older signals the end of purpose, explaining that her latest book, Planted by the Rivers of Water, was inspired by a desire to encourage people to remain fruitful and relevant at every stage of life. Drawing inspiration from Psalm 1, she said the image of a tree planted by rivers of water reflects a life that continues to bear fruit regardless of age. “I don’t feel a day after 30,” she said. “God never talks about the end. He talks about contributing to society.” The Executive Director explained that the collection of 60 poems was carefully selected from more than 100 poems she had written over the years to commemorate her 60th birthday. According to her, the book captures life’s full journey, including moments of joy, pain, loss, gratitude, faith, and purpose. She noted that while life presents both good and difficult seasons, hope must always have the final word. “If somebody talks about only the good, that is not life. That is not real,” she said. “Even when I become a bit dark in my writing, I always leave a sliver of joy that reminds people there is hope around the corner.” Mrs. Ocran also credited her faith as the foundation of everything she has accomplished, saying her relationship with God has shaped her outlook on life, leadership, and service. “I won’t be here without faith. Without God, there is no Comfort Ocran,” she stated. Encouraging young people not to limit themselves, she urged them to remain curious, keep learning, and trust that every life has been intentionally designed by God. “God is very intentional and very deliberate,” she said. “There is nothing you cannot do. You may not see it yet, but if you draw close to Him, He is able to make your life a beautiful one.” She made these remarks during a special edition of Springboard Hangout, where she took the guest seat to discuss Planted by the Rivers of Water, a collection of poems launched as part of her 60th birthday celebration. Watch the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/live/BCVC_Au5OaM?si=MPyBR9I9OOI16tBW About Springboard Hangout Springboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centred show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences aimed at educating, entertaining, and equipping the next generation. The programme airs every Saturday at 4:00 PM on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel on Facebook and YouTube. Marketing & Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Virtual University

Many Salaried Workers Are Living in Financial Emergency Without Knowing It, Says EDC Investment Limited MD, Paul Mante

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Managing Director of Ecobank Development Corporation Investment Limited, Paul Mante, has disclosed that many salaried workers are living in what he describes as a financial emergency because they would be unable to sustain their normal lifestyle for six months if their salaries suddenly stopped. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University with host Pastor Albert Ocran, Mr. Mante urged individuals and families to conduct a midyear review of their finances, just as businesses assess their performance halfway through the year, to determine whether they are making progress toward financial independence. According to him, anyone who cannot maintain their current standard of living for at least six months without a salary should treat the situation as an emergency and begin taking deliberate steps to change it. “If you answer that question and you will not survive for more than six months, you are in a critical state. It is life-threatening. You need to see a financial doctor for an emergency surgery,” he said. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in the financial sector, Mr. Mante explained that financial independence begins with changing one’s mindset about money. He said many people focus only on earning an income but fail to retain and grow it, leaving them financially exposed despite years of employment. He identified three stages of personal financial management as receiving money, retaining money, and reproducing money through investments. While many people are taught how to earn an income, he noted that very few are taught how to preserve wealth or make money. The Managing Director attributed the country’s low level of financial literacy to the fact that money management is rarely taught either at home or in school. As a result, many people enter the workforce without the knowledge needed to build long-term financial security. He encouraged workers to increase their earning capacity by acquiring new skills, creating multiple sources of income, and investing consistently instead of depending solely on their monthly salaries. He also advised individuals to invest at least 20 percent of their income and avoid allowing lifestyle changes to consume every salary increase. According to him, financial discipline today creates the freedom to make choices later in life based on purpose rather than financial pressure. Mr. Mante further cautioned against procrastination and excuses, encouraging people to begin their financial independence journey immediately regardless of their current income level. “The best time you should have started your journey towards financial independence was years ago. The next best time is now,” he said. Watch the full episode here… https://www.youtube.com/live/Bbg6-uDUr7k?si=xGzSWjP6UE3qf2JM About Springboard, Your Virtual University Springboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast produced by the Springboard Road Show Foundation and hosted by Pastor Albert Ocran. The broadcast airs every Sunday at 7 PM on  Joy 99.7 FM and on Springboard Channel (YouTube)  and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. Marketing & Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Hangout

Against Impossible Odds: Vanessa Rich Bennett’s Extraordinary Journey

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What happens when every medical prediction points in one direction, yet you choose to hold on to hope? For Vanessa Rich Bennett, that question became deeply personal after doctors advised that her pregnancy was unlikely to continue following serious complications at just 14 weeks. Speaking on Springboard Hangout with host Comfort Ocran, she reflected on a journey that tested her faith, challenged medical expectations, and ultimately reshaped her purpose. Rather than allowing her experience to remain a private family story, Madam Bennett now uses it to encourage families facing difficult pregnancies to remain informed, ask questions, work closely with healthcare professionals, and refuse to lose hope too quickly. Her daughter, Heavenly, was eventually born at just 26 weeks, weighing only 0.9 kilograms and facing several serious health complications. Today, however, Heavenly is thriving, a reality Madam Bennett describes as evidence that difficult beginnings do not always determine the final outcome. Throughout the conversation, Madam Bennett stressed that her journey was not about ignoring medical advice. Instead, she said it taught her the importance of understanding every diagnosis, asking questions, researching available treatment options, and partnering with doctors throughout the process. She also described faith as the foundation that carried her family through months of uncertainty. “Everything about my story is faith,” she said, explaining that every challenge she has experienced has prepared her to speak from lived experience and encourage others walking similar paths. Today, Madam Bennett shares her experience through speaking engagements and her book, 27 Weeks of Courage, hoping it reminds others that even when circumstances appear impossible, courage, knowledge, and hope still have a place. Her appearance on Springboard Hangout served as more than a personal testimony. It was a reminder that behind many stories of survival are difficult decisions, resilient families, dedicated healthcare professionals, and the determination to keep believing when the odds appear stacked against you. Watch the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/live/5ft_c0bZMGk?si=9u5m_K5R2Lrqs4bG About Springboard Hangout Springboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centred show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences aimed at educating, entertaining, and equipping the next generation. The programme airs every Saturday at 4:00 PM on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel on Facebook and YouTube. Marketing & Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

News

Comfort Ocran Calls for Greater Investment in Ghana’s Youth to Secure the Nation’s Future

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Ghana’s greatest natural resource is its young people. With more than half of the population under the age of 35, the country has a vibrant generation filled with creativity, ambition, resilience, and innovation. Across entrepreneurship, technology, agriculture, education, and the creative arts, young Ghanaians continue to demonstrate enormous potential to drive economic growth and national transformation. Unlocking this potential, however, requires more than hope. It requires deliberate investment in skills development, education, innovation, and opportunities that enable young people to thrive. Speaking at the recent Ghana Futures Dialogue, held under the theme “Ghana 2050: What Must We Build Today?”, Executive Director of Springboard Road Show Foundation, Comfort Ocran, said Ghana’s future prosperity will depend largely on how intentionally the nation prepares and positions its young people for leadership, productivity, and inclusive growth. She stressed that by placing youth empowerment at the centre of policy and national development, Ghana can transform its youthful population into a powerful engine for national prosperity. “Every young person has potential,” she said. “What they lack is opportunity.” Turning Potential into National Prosperity To transform Ghana’s youth potential into national prosperity, the Executive Director proposed five key pathways: Critical Thinking, Skills, Enterprise, Linkages, and Employment. According to her, youth development must be treated as a deliberate and structured process rather than a one-time intervention. She also underscored the importance of building linkages that connect young people to markets, networks, institutions, industry leaders, and opportunities that can expand their reach and impact. Many promising youth-led initiatives, she noted, do not fail because of a lack of potential, but because young people remain disconnected from the ecosystems that support growth and scale. These linkages, she explained, are essential for creating sustainable employment opportunities. When young people are equipped with relevant skills, supported to build enterprises, and connected to the right networks, they become active contributors to economic growth rather than passive job seekers. “If we invest well in one young person, we invest in a whole village,” Comfort Ocran said. “Building Ghana’s future requires that young people are given the opportunity and the inspiration to become multipliers and agents of national prosperity.” Ghana 2050: What We Must Build Today Looking ahead to 2050, Comfort Ocran identified three priorities that Ghana must pursue to prepare its youth for the future: Her closing remarks captured the urgency of the conversation. “Our young people do not need our politics. They need our partnership.” The Ghana Futures Dialogue, organised by the Brillianta Foundation, brings together leaders, students, academics, businesses, and policymakers to examine what Ghana must build today to thrive by 2050. Through dialogue and collaboration, the event explores leadership, education, innovation, community development, and national transformation as foundations for Ghana’s future prosperity. About Springboard Road Show Foundation. Springboard Road Show Foundation (SRSF) is a Ghanaian non-profit organisation committed to raising the next generation of African leaders and entrepreneurs. Through youth mobilisation, mindset change, skills development, and national engagement platforms, SRSF supports young women, men, persons with disability and displaced persons to build agency, unlock opportunity, and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s socio-economic development. About Brillianta Foundation Brillianta Foundation is a United Kingdom-based youth development organisation dedicated to advancing youth empowerment initiatives, equipping young people with future-ready skills, strengthening organisations and industries, and fostering international partnerships that support youth prosperity.

Virtual University

“Comfort Is the Biggest Enemy of Personal Growth” –  Maame Ekua Gaisey

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Maame Ekua Gaisey, The People, Managing Partner, Five Six Five,  has cautioned that comfort is one of the biggest barriers to personal growth, saying many people fail to reach their full potential because they become satisfied with where they are instead of choosing growth despite the discomfort it brings. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University with Rev. Albert Ocran, she said lasting personal development is a deliberate process that requires individuals to continually make difficult choices, confront their fears, and pursue a better version of themselves every day. According to her, growth is never automatic. It demands intentional decisions every day, often requiring people to leave familiar environments, confront their fears, and accept the uncertainty that comes with becoming a better version of themselves. “Comfort is where you miss the opportunity to move,” she said, explaining that discomfort is one of the strongest triggers for progress because it pushes people to pursue more than their current circumstances. Madam Gaisey noted that the journey of personal development starts with self-awareness and honesty. She said individuals must first understand who they are, where they want to be, and honestly assess the gap between their current reality and their desired future before meaningful change can begin. She stressed that many people remain stuck because they avoid asking themselves difficult questions or reflecting deeply on their lives. Instead, they become occupied with constant activity without making real progress. “The best gift anybody could give themselves is to discover themselves,” she said, adding that self-discovery requires continuous reflection and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths. Drawing from her own life, she recounted how she abandoned her childhood ambition of becoming a medical doctor after recognizing that her true strengths and passion lay elsewhere. Despite the difficulty of changing direction, she said making that decision allowed her to pursue the path she was truly created for. She encouraged people to focus first on the kind of person they want to become before concentrating on positions, titles, or material success. She explained that developing character, values, curiosity, kindness, and a commitment to continuous learning naturally positions people for greater opportunities. The leadership coach also advised individuals to simplify their personal development goals by concentrating on no more than three priorities at a time. Attempting to pursue too many objectives simultaneously, she said, often leads to frustration and little meaningful progress. She further urged people to seek coaches, mentors, and trusted supporters who can ask difficult questions, provide honest feedback, and help them remain accountable throughout their growth journey. Madam Gaisey also cautioned against allowing unnecessary distractions and outside opinions to derail personal progress. She said people should clearly define both what they intend to pursue and what they deliberately choose to avoid, since eliminating distractions is as important as setting goals. Watch full episode here https://www.youtube.com/live/gRbDFwT6Jhc?si=I2g3tgRLMLHlM1rY About Springboard, Your Virtual University Springboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast produced by the Springboard Road Show Foundation and hosted by Pastor. Albert Ocran. The broadcast airs every Sunday at 7 PM on  Joy 99.7 FM and on Springboard Channel & Albert Ocran (Facebook & YouTube)  and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The discussion forms part of an ongoing series exploring the various roles of managers in organizations and the skills required to lead people, drive performance, and achieve institutional goals. Through conversations with experienced leaders, the series provides practical lessons for current and aspiring managers. Marketing & Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Hangout

Integrity Opens Doors You Cannot Yet See, Angela Berko Tells Young People

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Young people should treat every opportunity they receive with integrity because today’s responsibilities could become the foundation for tomorrow’s leadership, Ghanaian healthcare entrepreneur Angela Berko has advised. Speaking on Springboard Hangout with host Comfort Ocran, the Co-Founder and Director of McAngel Home Visiting Nurses in the United States said many people fail to recognize that the habits they build while working for others often prepare them for opportunities they have not yet imagined. Drawing from her own journey, the Registered Nurse recalled how, as a young employee at Legacy and Legacy, she was entrusted with significant responsibilities, including managing company finances and accounting for thousands of books sold during nationwide programmes. At the time, she simply focused on carrying out her duties faithfully, without realizing the experience was preparing her to one day lead her own healthcare organization. “It started there at that time. I did not know it, but it started there,” she said, explaining that the discipline, accountability, and attention to detail she developed early in her career continue to shape how she runs her business today. The Director, who now leads a home healthcare company employing between 40 and 50 professionals in the United States, said success in leadership begins long before someone starts a business. According to her, young professionals should approach every assignment with honesty because they never know where the experience may lead. “Whatever your hands are found to do now, whether you are working for yourself or someone else, have that level of integrity because you never know the stage being set for you as you are learning, studying, and watching,” she said. She also cautioned young people against rushing into entrepreneurship before they have gained the necessary knowledge and experience. “There are times we are in a hurry to move and be on our own, and you may not be ready. The spotlight can be very bright, and when you are not ready, it will burn you to a crisp. Study quietly, sometimes in the shadows. You do not know what you are learning until you are put on the spot,” she advised. She further encouraged young people not to underestimate their potential, saying every individual possesses abilities that can produce remarkable results if they remain disciplined and believe in themselves. “We all have such potential in us that has been put in us by God, and the reach of our dreams is only limited by our thoughts,” she said. Reflecting on her own journey from serving as an intern in Ghana to becoming the head of a successful healthcare company in the United States, The co-Founder said she would encourage her younger self to begin the journey without hesitation because every lesson learned along the way eventually contributed to her success. Watch the full episode here:  https://www.youtube.com/live/bRBxcIXnVd8?si=ttfxmMt2sC7d5w04 About Springboard Hangout Springboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centred show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences aimed at educating, entertaining, and equipping the next generation. The programme airs every Saturday at 4:00 PM on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel on Facebook and YouTube. Marketing & Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation

Hangout

Young Creatives Must Choose Originality Over Imitation, Designers Advise

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Young people seeking to build successful fashion brands should choose originality over imitation and remain true to their creative identity, fashion entrepreneurs Sarah Boadu and Goldyn Adams have advised. Speaking on Springboard Hangout with host Comfort Ocran, the two designers said while it is important to learn from experienced professionals, lasting success comes from creating work that reflects one’s own vision rather than copying what others are doing. Sarah Boadu, Founder and Creative Director of Self-Titled International Brand, said one of the biggest mistakes young creatives make is abandoning their originality in an attempt to follow industry trends. She revealed that trying to imitate other designers almost caused her to lose her passion for fashion. “The best times I’ve had in fashion have been when I’m not looking at anyone else,” she said. “Just be yourself. Don’t copy. Be original.” According to her, returning to her authentic style not only renewed her passion for fashion but also attracted clients who appreciated her unique approach. She encouraged young entrepreneurs to understand who they are as creatives instead of trying to replicate someone else’s success. Goldyn Adams, Fashion Designer and Travel Look Consultant, shared a similar view, adding that originality gives every brand its identity, but creativity alone is not enough to build a successful business. “Creativity gets your brand an identity, but business sustains the brand,” she said. “You can have all the talent in the world, but you need the business mindset to keep going.” Mrs. Boadu further urged entrepreneurs to understand the commercial side of their businesses by carrying out market research and listening to customers instead of relying solely on their own preferences. “You are not your own customer,” she said, explaining that business owners must identify what their target market truly wants if they hope to build sustainable brands. Miss. Adams also stressed the importance of discipline and purpose, adding that every entrepreneur will encounter difficult moments, but those who remain focused on why they started are more likely to succeed. “You definitely have to keep going when it’s tough,” she said. “Your purpose and discipline keep you going.” Both designers agreed that originality, continuous learning, business knowledge, and discipline are essential for anyone hoping to build a brand that remains relevant and successful over the long term. Watch the full episode here… About Springboard Hangout Springboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centred show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences aimed at educating, entertaining, and equipping the next generation. The programme airs every Saturday at 4:00 PM on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel on Facebook and YouTube.