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Dicipline Was My Trick-Mr Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng

By Daily Graphic
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 | Print | E-Mail | PDF | Graphics Version
Personality Profiles


Growing up in a strict Presbyterian home, young Isaac learnt to abide by the discipline his father imparted to him — he was expected to respect everyone, regardless of age. "You can never think of going out in the evening and coming home late. That was out. So I spent my time studying," he said.

Today, Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng, who won the just-ended 'Apprentice Africa' reality TV show held in Nigeria, is grateful to his parents for making him a disciplined person. "You know, the kind of discipline I got played a big role in helping me win that show,” he said.

“The difference between me and the other housemates was how I was able to relate with them and manage things."

Mr Dankyi-Koranteng, 31, together with 18 other contestants from different African countries, was in Nigeria in February for the maiden edition of 'The Apprentice Africa' business reality TV show.

As part of Isaac's prize, he would work with Bank PHB, one of the biggest banks in Nigeria, and lead in the development of products for different markets.

Junior Graphic contacted him at his Sakumono residence a few days before he left for Nigeria to share with children what contributed to his success. He did not mince words when he said: "Whether my upbringing was rosy or difficult, one thing that is important is discipline".

According to him, his childhood was spent in the church, and that helped to shape his life. "I was in the Boys Brigade and the Junior Y. I used to represent the church during Bible quizzes, sword drills and also attended youth camps. Somehow, I did not have friends apart from those in my church."

He said his affiliation with the church helped him to resist certain negative lifestyles his friends led. "I quite remember certain times, while I was in primary school, when I wished I could join my friends to engage in some mischief, but I couldn't, because I was scared I would meet my Sunday School teacher or Sunday School friends.

“In secondary school, while my friends went round chasing girls, drinking alcohol and abusing drugs, honestly I was sometimes tempted to join them, but then I realised I was a child of God and so I shouldn't dare displease the Lord."

Isaac comes from Kwahu Pepease, but was born in Kumasi to Rev. Sam Asiama-Koranteng and Mrs Leticia Dorothy Koranteng. He grew up in Kumasi, where he attended University Primary School from nursery to Class Three, until his family relocated to Accra.

According to him, in Kumasi, he was driven to school but while in Accra, things changed, so he sometimes had to walk to school or take public transport (trotro). He attended Adabraka Presby Primary for a brief period and left for the Salvation Army Primary School at Mamprobi, where he sat for the Common Entrance Examination and passed.

Isaac described his performance in school as good and stated, for instance, that while at Salvation Army, his worst performance was a third position. His secret was that his father insisted that he studied every evening, something his dad never compromised on.

“I was often whipped when caught playing during my study time." Of course, as all kids would do sometimes he pretended to be studying when his father was around.

Apart from his brilliant performance in school, Isaac was also good at domestic chores. Although the first-born of four children, he was not exempted from any chores because he was the first-born or a boy. "In our house, there isn't any specific job for girls or boys. So I used to wash and do things girls did and never felt embarrassed."

Isaac attended Abetifi Presby Secondary School for three years and then continued at Twene Amanfo Secondary School in Sunyani, where he obtained his GCE 'O' Level. After his 'A' Level at Technology Secondary School, he taught for a year at Cambridge International School before he enrolled at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to study Publishing.

After KNUST, he became the Co-ordinating Secretary of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) from 2001 to 2002. He then left for Wuhan University of Technology, China, where he pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) course.

He returned to Ghana in 2005 and worked with a Chinese Company, Huawei Technology Company Limited, as a Customer Accounts Manager.

It was while there that he saw the advertisement for 'The Apprentice Africa' reality show and decided to participate in it. Isaac is married to Linda. They are blessed with a son, Darrel.

Story  by Augustina Tawiah


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