The former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Ken Ohene Agyapong, has called on students at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to cultivate financial discipline and embrace risk-taking 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.Addressing students at a Tertiary Education Students Confederacy Network (TESCON) event held at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Auditorium, the outspoken businessman delivered a keynote address on "Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey and Social Networking."Sharing real-life experiences from his journey as a self-made entrepreneur, Mr Agyapong who was also a flagbearer hopeful for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) stressed 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 way to success story and noted that the path to achievement is often paved with setbacks and sacrifice."Anyone who tells you that life is going to be easy is not telling you the truth," Agyapong cautioned.He urged 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 counselled.Mr 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.
