The Youth Ministry of The Church of Pentecost has held six days Business and Entrepreneurship Seminar for members of the ministry across the country.
The summit which took place from Tuesday, 7th to Sunday, 12th July, 2020, was held under the theme, “Creating Business Opportunities in my Immediate Environment.” It was the first of its kind to be held through a virtual platform due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The event recorded a 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.
Addressing the participants at the start of the summit, the Patron of the Youth Ministry, Apostle Samuel Osei Asante, who is also an Executive Council Member of the Church and Area Head for Koforidua, described the summit as timely. He entreated participants to take advantage of the huge experience of the facilitators.
In 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, noted that the chamber is in pursuit of the five-year “Possessing the Nations” agenda of the Church.
“The chamber is mandated to identify businessmen 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,” he said.
Pastor Hagan, who spoke on the topic, “Godly Principles for Young Entrepreneurs,” examined the biblical basis of entrepreneurship and added that wealth creation happens by God’s blessings and strategic hard work. He reiterated that God’s interest in wealth creation includes 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. He encouraged business persons 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 estate, 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, a team or an individual. He also described it as the 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 what is meant by networking, Elder Mante said 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 pandemic 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.
Some young business executives and entrepreneurs in the Church also 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, an entrepreneur.
Present at the summit were the National Executive Committee Members of both the Business and Entrepreneurship Chamber and the Youth Ministry.
Report by Pastor Gordon Ansah.