The Church of Pentecost Youth Ministry held six days Business and Entrepreneurship Seminar from Tuesday 7th to Sunday 12th July, 2020.
The summit which was held under the theme, Creating Business Opportunities in my Immediate Environment, was the first of its kind to be held through a virtual platform due to the Corona Virus pandemic. The summit recorded total attendance of 806 participants from all the Areas in Ghana, was held in three batches, where each batch had two days of presentation and interaction.
Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, the National Youth Ministry Patron who is also an International Executive Member of The Church of Pentecost and the Area Head for Koforidua, in his opening remarks, described the summit as timely. He entreated participants to attend all sessions and take advantage of the huge experience of the facilitators.
Presenting his welcome address, the Youth Director, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan, stated that the vision behind the Business and Entrepreneurship Chamber is to raise world class business executives and entrepreneurs who will use godly principles and Christian paradigms in all their dealings.
Pastor Eric Asare, Chairman of the Business and Entrepreneurship Chamber, added that, the activities of this arm of Youth ministry is in pursuit of the five-year Possessing the Nations agenda of The Church of Pentecost. Touching on their mandate, he said, “The chamber is mandated to identify business men and women with entrepreneurial prowess, whose conventions and Christian values of diligence, commitment, faithfulness, hard work and many others could introduce Christ to the wealth creation markets”.
As a facilitator at the Summit, Pastor Ebenezer Hagan spoke on the topic, Godly Principles for Young Entrepreneurs. He examined the Biblical basis of entrepreneurship and added that wealth creation happens by God’s blessings and people’s strategic hard work. He reiterated that, God’s interest in wealth creation include; attitude towards money, how money is generated and spent, the need for entrepreneurs and business people to give God His place when they succeed, and the insight to understand that there are many things such as salvation, wisdom and anointing of the Holy Spirit which are more important than money.
Mr William Mensah, an Investment Consultant and Financial Planner, examined the topic, Investment Options in Ghana. He challenged the participants to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit embedded in them. In his motivational presentation, Mr Mensah encouraged business and entrepreneurs to develop a good business model and improve upon it as they progress. On the options available for investment, he made a strong case for fixed income, equities, collective investment schemes, real estates, currency and commodity trading.
Elder Paul Kofi Mante, Ecobank Managing Director for EDC Investments Limited, addressed the subject, Strategic Thinking and Networking. He explained strategic thinking as an intentional and rational thought process that focuses on the analysis of critical factors and variables to enhance the long-term success of a business, team or an individual. His layman definition for strategic thinking is ability to plan for the future. He examined the biblical foundation of strategic thinking from Proverbs 24:6 and Luke 14:28-38. In explaining Networking, Elder Mante stated that, it is the new dimension to business and leadership. He explained networking as the ability to influence people and become relevant. He also discussed how to build and maintain business networks and recommended that; ambitious people should go to where influential people meet, invest time in other people’s lives, be transparent in their communication, research and report facts not hearsays, empower people, give recommendations and praise when it is due, among others.
Elder Richard Amaning, Director of Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS) and Elder Joseph Kyei Ankrah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ridge of Hope, jointly spoke on the topic, Opportunities COVID-19 Presents for Entrepreneurship. They provided the participants with a broad understanding of human needs as a result of the corona virus season and progressed to mention some business prospects. Their presentations cited business opportunities in African food brands, Virtual Education, Fashion and Apparel, Healthcare, Digital Financial Services, Consulting Services, Agriculture, Transport and Delivery Services, among others.
Young business executives and entrepreneurs in the Church, shared practical lessons from their humble beginnings with the participants. They are Mr Daniel Owusu Ansah, CEO of Owatech Innovations; Elder Abraham Bugyei, Entrepreneur and Private Consultant who is also the CEO of Faya Consults; and Deaconess Winifred Koranteng Dankwa, a successful entrepreneur.
Also present at the summit were; Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, Youth Patron as well as members of the National Executive Committee of Youth Ministry. Other dignitaries include Executive Committee Members of the Business and Entrepreneurship Chamber. They are; Pastors Eric Asare (Chairman), Abraham Nimako Boateng, Samuel Asiamah, David Akayue and Richard Ala Anang. The rest are Elder Paul Mante, Eunice Adwoa Sarpong, Mr Dickson Tawiah and Mr Robert Mensah.
