Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, recently spoke to over 100 university students at the 2026 National Youth Mentorship Summit at the University of Ghana. In a blunt address, she urged Ghanaian youth to stop waiting for opportunities and start preparing to create value.
The Problem of Unpreparedness
Fiagbenu highlighted the biggest problem facing young graduates in Ghana: unpreparedness. She shared a personal experience where she struggled to find a young graduate with the required communication skills to work on a project. Despite interviewing several applicants, she couldn't find anyone who met her standards. This, she noted, reflects a wider issue of young people not being prepared for job opportunities.
The Call to Excellence
Fiagbenu challenged the students to move from consuming content to creating solutions. She urged them to spend more time developing their skills and less time commenting on social media. "If all you do is consume content, when will you create value?" she asked. Instead of waiting for jobs, young people should be asking, "What problem can I solve?" she emphasized.
Building Character and Skills
Fiagbenu emphasized that character is built long before university. She cited her mother's example, who had no formal education but taught her discipline, responsibility, and the importance of keeping a clean environment. She encouraged the students to develop good habits and build their character through discipline and hard work. "Read widely, develop your skills, build your character, and be disciplined," she advised. "Create solutions and be ready before opportunity knocks."
The Future of Ghana
Fiagbenu ended her address with a 3-point charge to the students: "Sit up, show up, and show up with excellence." She emphasized that the future of Ghana is not someone else's responsibility, but theirs. She urged the students to take ownership of their lives and shape the future of Ghana through their actions and decisions.
The founder and CEO of LEC Group, Albert Prempeh Kusi, also spoke at the summit, encouraging students to cultivate innovative and creative thinking to thrive in today's job market. He further encouraged them to invest in the capital market with the little money they have to secure funding for their business ventures.
Source: Joy Online
