Perez College University (Perez-UC) Chancellor, Bishop Charles Agyinasare, has urged matriculants of the school to see beyond the obvious and spot entrepreneurial opportunities in everything thing around them.

Speaking at the matriculation ceremony on Saturday, 14 April, the founder of Perez Chapel International counselled: “… Your way of seeing things or your mindset is what would make room for you even in the desert”.

“If we are going to amount to anything in our part of the world”, he added, “then we need to have a different mindset, an appropriate perspective, a solution-providing spirit, an entrepreneurial ethos”.

In his view, having the knack for spotting business and entrepreneurial opportunities in the everyday world marks the beginning to success.

“In a time where there are myriads of graduates churned out, but few jobs to meet the supply of those willing and able to work, I believe the key is entrepreneurship. That is why Perez University College is focused on being an entrepreneurial institution that will produce world-class graduates...sorry, world-class job creators who will alleviate the economic and financial challenges of our continent”.

Below is Bishop Agyinasare’s full speech:

The Entrepreneurial Ethos: An Essential Requirement for Every Graduate

Honourable guest speaker Brg. General Mrs Constance Edjeani-Afenu, Governing Council, Rector, Ministers of religion, Vice Chancellor, Deans, HODs, Faculty and Staff, Friends from the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen, all protocol observed.

I am delighted to welcome you all to this year’s matriculation ceremony. Congratulations on successfully qualifying for this next stage in your academic life. I couldn’t be happier than I am now because I see future leaders seated here, and I see a group of people desiring to receive knowledge which will be applied in the service of our great land Ghana, Africa, and the world. This is only the beginning, but the best is yet to come. Once again, welcome.

A young man went to an accomplished businessman and asked him the secret to his great wealth and many businesses. The man simply smiled, sat the young man in his car and drove off to the forest. When they arrived, he asked the young man, “What do you see?” To which he replied, “I see a forest. Why, what do you see?” “I see tables, chairs, artefacts, and a furniture city”. The boy was amazed. They then moved on to the countryside, where there were grassy plains, livestock and farms. He again asked the lad, “What do you see?” “I see a huge piece of farmland and cattle grazing”. The man shook his head in disappointment and answered, “I see estates where those who want to live naturally can come and grow their own food, where people can eat organic”. Then he finally took him to the beach and asked him one more time, “What do you see?” With hesitation, the young man replied, “A lot of water”. “But let me tell you what I see”, the old man continued. “I see a beach resort ideal for honeymooners and rich people who want to vacation. I see conference halls that would seat hundreds of people. And I see speed boats and yachts all over.” The young man started nodding in agreement. “That is my secret. I see opportunity in everything, whereas people see only what is obvious to the sight”.

Precious one, the old man’s secret is still the secret for the success of many known names today. I remember two decades ago, when we were looking for a property to buy in order to relocate from our former place of worship in Circle, Accra, we went to the former Meat Marketing Board. At the time, there was only elephant grass all over the park. And many church leaders had indicated to me that there was no more space in Accra for my dream. But when we went to inspect the place, I observed the huge park with admiration. However, some of those who accompanied me were baffled, because they could only see tall grass, whereas I could see multitudes and multitudes of human beings lifting their hands in praise to God! Well, today the elephant land has been changed to an ultra-modern facility that seats thousands of people, and which has been famously called by Former President John Dramani Mahama “one of the Seven Wonders of Ghana”!

I believe the point of this is that your way of seeing things or your mindset is what would make room for you even in the desert. If we are going to amount to anything in our part of the world, then we need to have a different mindset, an appropriate perspective, a solution-providing spirit, an entrepreneurial ethos.

In a time where there are myriads of graduates churned out, but few jobs to meet the supply of those willing and able to work, I believe the key is entrepreneurship. That is why Perez University College is focused on being an entrepreneurial institution that will produce world-class graduates...sorry, world-class job creators who will alleviate the economic and financial challenges of our continent.

I am convinced that the entrepreneurial mindset is first of all divinely expected and sanctioned. Time will not permit us to look at how much the Bible talks about and encourages spotting needs, finding opportunities to meet them, and actually meeting them in a rewarding and profitable way. Isn’t that the bottom line of entrepreneurship? Let me succinctly talk about a couple of characters from the Scriptures who were rewarded for identifying and solving other people’s problems. At a time when Laban was struggling in his business and was basically threatened with collapse, Jacob came along and found a way to solve his uncle’s difficulty. He provided a solution that increased the revenue of the business and got him some handsome commissions. He thereby took his job and the business to another level. Today, we would call this intrapreneurship or entrepreneurship within another’s business.

We cannot forget Joseph, who had developed himself for many years and had learnt many skills from being a shepherd, a house steward, a servant in the prison, and so on. When Egypt was faced with a negative economic forecast, this young man was able to find a solution which impressed Pharaoh and got him continuous financial rewards that we cannot even talk about!

When there was a great military threat to the nation of Israel, the young man David saw in a great need an opportunity. Whereas all the soldiers saw a giant that was too big to defeat, the shepherd from Bethlehem Senior High saw an opponent so big that there were so many ways to hit him. He put his fighting skills to good use, and was both paid and honoured by the Prime Minister for his contribution to the Independence of Israel!

Even our Lord Jesus Christ showed us that opportunities are everywhere and that we should not be in the business of identifying problems, but rather of solving them. Many people would have looked down on five loaves and two fish, and would have despised them as being insignificant. Instead, Jesus saw opportunity in what many thought was lack and insufficiency, and thereby fed over five thousand men! And He created value for the investor — that little boy — because that day, the boy went home with returns many times more than his initial investment! If this were a business, everyone would rush to “Bread of Life Investment Ltd”!

And don’t forget the parable Jesus shared of the shrewd servant whom the Master com-mended for spotting opportunity and turning a sour situation around for his own benefit.

In short, even the Lord wants us to ideate and come up with sustainable ways to make profit. He is saying we should spot opportunity and create value for the stakeholders in our lives, like investors, suppliers, customers, end users, and the like, and thereby we will be recompensed accordingly.

Unfortunately, today, I have not come to preach. Hallelujah!

But you see, the entrepreneurial mindset is not only Biblical, but is also necessary. I see many well-intentioned graduates who are sitting at home because, in their words, “There are no jobs”. But at the same time, I see other graduates who know that they cannot wait for jobs, and, so,

they find innovative ways to sell Kenkey, not in polythene bags, but in boxes. I see others starting fruit shops, engaging workers to sell healthy fruits wearing bow ties! Some have used their technical and physical skills to start keep-fit clubs and security training centres. I know of some who have started hand-crafted bag and shoe businesses, cleaning agencies, social media companies, and on and on. But each person must take up his own place and not depend on others. Like you already know, if families don’t raise their children, nobody will. If Christians don’t build churches, nobody will. If governments do not build bridges and major roads, nobody will. And if entrepreneurs do not create jobs, nobody will. Ghana is looking for entrepreneurs. The world is looking for some young innovators who will change the course of history. What do you see? If what you see is the obvious, then look even further. I tell you, there are too many opportunities out there that I believe no one should go back home and remain poor.

Beloved, as you are being enrolled in this institution, I need you to always remember this, that you have two options: you can either come and get information or education here and pass your exams for passing sake; or you can get information from here and use it as a learning ground and springboard to cause meaningful change in society. The former will give you a certificate and a title, but the latter will get you to be a change agent and also to be financially independent. Whereas many people end up unemployed after four years of school, because they are waiting for a job, we need you to think about how you can create a job. Have the right mindset. Have the entrepreneurial mindset.

As you are about to begin your journey, I encourage you to be focused, undistracted, humble and ready to learn, and to be self-motivated. Above all, remember to trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him; and He shall direct your path. God bless you, and have a wonderful stay here at Perez University College.