Kennedy Agyapong, former MP for Assin Central
Former Assin Central Member of Parliament and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has called for a shift from an academic-focused approach to a more practical and entrepreneurial mindset to drive national development.
Speaking at a Tertiary Education Students Confederacy Network (TESCON-UCC) meeting on May 23, 2025, themed “Entrepreneurship and Networking,” the former legislator emphasised the transformative potential of entrepreneurship in shaping Ghana’s economic future.
In a video shared on X by user Qwofi Manuel on Monday, May 26, 2026, Agyapong highlighted the limitless opportunities in applying practical knowledge gained through academia to create jobs and advance national development.
“If Ghana is going to develop, we need entrepreneurs. We’ve had intellectuals – they’ve taught us and guided us through academic excellence, which is essential.
“Without education, many of us wouldn’t get far. But the other aspect that creates entrepreneurs is a pragmatic, practical approach, and that is what we must now embrace,” he stated.
A report by ghanaiantimes.com.gh on the event added that the former MP for Assin Central urged students at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to cultivate fiscal discipline and embrace risks as essential ingredients for entrepreneurial success.
According to him the future belonged to risk takers and not security seekers as such the students must dare to take risk and move away from their comfort zones.
He shared his real-life experiences of his journey as a self-made entrepreneur, stressing the need for students to develop a clear vision for their future and encouraged them to set long-term goals and work relentlessly towards achieving them.
“If you want to be like Honourable Alfred Obeng, begin to have a vision — a vision that allows you to look ahead and say, ‘This is what I want to become in five to ten years,’” he said.
He was quick to dispel any easy approach to success story and noted that the path to achievement is often fraught with setbacks and sacrifice.
“Anyone who tells you that life is going to be easy is not telling you the truth,” he cautioned.
He enjoined students to focus on saving for the future since that is the foundation for building capital.
“Postpone spending on material things today and save for tomorrow,” he advised.
He also warned against the temptation to imitate the extravagant lifestyles of others, stressing the importance of living within one’s means.
“When you see a colleague wearing expensive clothes, don’t be swayed by the glitz. Don’t spend your last resort money — money someone gave you — just to fit in. Be yourself and save the little you have,” he added.
Agyapong also explained that disciplined savings can eventually grow into seed capital that can be invested into profitable ventures.
“When you’ve saved enough, then you can begin to take risks. To borrow my daughter’s words: risk. The future belongs to risk takers, not security seekers,” he declared.
Watch the video below
“If Ghana is going to develop, we need entrepreneurs. We’ve had intellectuals, they’ve taught us in school and guided us through academic excellence, which is essential. Without education, many of us wouldn’t get far. But the other aspect that creates entrepreneurs is a… pic.twitter.com/An4C29PoWt
— Qwofi Manuel 🇬🇭 (@qwofi_manuel) May 26, 2025
VPO
Meanwhile, catch up on the concluding part of the story of Fort William, where children were sold in exchange for kitchenware, others, below: