The youth need to maximize their God-given potential – Dr. David Oh

Dr. David Oh, the Country Director of the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Ghana, emphasized the importance of youth recognizing and maximizing their God-given potential for both personal and national development.

He noted that while everyone is endowed with full potential, many individuals limit themselves, using only a fraction of their capabilities. He encouraged young people to break free from these limitations and strive to realize their full potential.

Dr. Oh, who has visited several African countries, remarked that Ghana stands out as the best. He stressed that for the nation to achieve its full potential, its citizens need to adopt a positive mindset that fosters national development, transcending individual differences.

He shared these insights at the 2024 National Youth Conference, organized by the IYF in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Youth Authority. The ongoing four-day event at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) in Accra has brought together over 2,000 youth from across Ghana.

In his remarks, Prof. Richard Ohene Asiedu, Pro Vice Chancellor of Koforidua Technical University, highlighted the importance of young Ghanaians harnessing technological opportunities with responsibility and vision that go beyond personal gains. He urged participants to use the conference as a platform for building connections, networking, and collaborations that would have a lasting impact on their futures. Prof. Asiedu also encouraged the youth to become job creators, not just job seekers.

Nana Kwaku Essiani V, the Nifahene and Regent Chief of Agona Swedru, praised the organizers for their efforts. He shared his personal experience with IYF’s Mindset Education series, revealing how it helped him overcome his quick temper, much to the admiration of his family and subjects.

Nana Bema Kodju, Head of Strategy at GCB Bank PLC, also addressed the youth, emphasizing their crucial role in shaping the nation's uncertain future. She advised them to build positive credit profiles to become attractive entrepreneurs who can contribute to the national economy. Nana Bema assured that GCB Bank would continue to support the youth through its various youth-focused products and services, as it has done for the past 70 years.

The Guest Speaker, Dr. Jin Sung Kim, stressed the importance of a positive mindset, explaining that how we perceive our life circumstances often shapes our reality. Dr. Kim recounted Korea’s history, from poverty and colonization in the 1800s to war and eventual economic recovery. He attributed much of South Korea’s success to a shift in mindset and emphasized that such a transformation is equally needed in Ghana to achieve economic progress.