By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh |
Executive Director of Youth Arise Organisation (YAO), Moses Baffour Awuah (Chief MBA) has underscored the need for mentorship and entreated the youth to always read books and listen to correct messages that would mentor them.
Mr. Awuah mentioned peer pressure, substance abuse, social skills, anger management, goal setting among others as some issues in life that required the advice and guidance of an expert to deal with.
According to the Certified USAID Africa Lead Facilitator, there should be circumspection when choosing mentors as there could be aspects of a mentor that might be undesirable to a mentee and advised that in such situations, “learn what to learn and walk away from the rest.”
Using what he termed the 5 Ms of life: Mentors, Minos, Mates, Motivators and Messers, Chief MBA called for self discipline to be able to deal with the various sets of people one was likely to meet in life’s journey in order to remain committed to one’s goals.
The Author gave the advice during a two-day programme dubbed Stepping ahead Leadership Conference themed, “Becoming an Agent of Change: Making Africa a Better Place”.
YAO’s programme from 11th-12th June at GNAT Hall, Ho, the first of its kind in the Volta Region was organised for senior high school (SHS) leavers to inspire them to engage in some productive activities while awaiting their results, thus, putting them ahead of their peers.
The conference which had various sessions including Personal Development, Leadership 101, and Personal Mission Statement, saw presentation of certificates to participants.
Licensed Counselling Psychologist and Teacher, Augustina Atkinson Dadebo who spoke on Career Choices and CV Writing, advised participants to carefully choose their career paths to suit their personalities categorised into “social, investigative, artistic, conventional, realistic and enterprising.”
Mrs. Dadebo said it was important to choose a profession based on one’s personality trait to ensure satisfaction and passion for the job.
“If I’m a social person, then the kind of work I can do very well is maybe become a teacher or a nurse. Social people are the helpers like a pastor, a counselor, etc. So, I will that know my personality helps me better to work in this environment.
According to her, “a lot of people have become square pegs in round holes” not because they lacked proper training but rather, their personalities did not suit their careers.
She said making the right choice was important explaining that “I’m satisfied because I’m happy with what I’m doing, I’m changing lives” and added that “even when I’m broke, I know that my work is impacting the life of a young one and I find satisfaction in that.”
Participants who spoke to Voltaonlinegh were impressed about the event saying, it had been impactful and would give them direction in life.
A participant who recently completed OLA Girls SHS, Ruth Selorme Acolatse said she thought “it was one of those programmes you go and the facilitators talk and talk and say it’s over and you all stand and leave” but soon realised it was different as “the first thing we did was team building which I never thought will be done.”
Ms. Acolatse said there were other educative sessions and was glad she came and so, encouraged others to join YAO to have access to such great opportunities.
Youth Arise Organisation is founded in 2012 is a body of young professionals committed to the principles and values of mentoring, education and policy oriented networking with the aim of empowering the young people to be selfless, effective and dedicated leaders.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
