As I reflect on my journey and life’s lessons learned from observing my father, it becomes clear that success is not solely a product of hard work; it’s deeply intertwined with mindset and strategic thinking.

My experiences have underscored the critical role these elements play in
overcoming challenges and achieving one’s goals. Growing up, I watched my father dedicate himself tirelessly to his work. He was a skilled practitioner in fermentation and a cocoa farmer, yet despite his efforts, financial stability seemed elusive. I spent months in the bush with him, taking on responsibilities like preparing alcohol while he was away gathering palm wine.

Despite the harsh conditions, I never feared for my safety or felt tormented by supernatural forces. My father’s primary concern was that I would not follow in his footsteps, facing the same struggles he did. For this reason, he discouraged me from joining him in his work, hoping I would find a path to success different from his. In Ghana, the prevailing mindset often pushes students towards conventional professions such as medicine or nursing. Like many others, I was initially shaped by this perspective. However, my university experiences as an agricultural student from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) revealed a different truth: true wealth and success are not merely the results of obtaining a certificate.

They are crafted with the right mindset and a strategic approach to one's goals. My father’s inability to break free from his financial struggles was not due to a lack of hard work but rather a limitation in his business mindset and approach. He did not know how to add value or create a thriving business
environment. This realization was pivotal for me.

It became evident that overcoming challenges and achieving success is less about the external forces at play and more about internal factors such as mindset and self-belief. While many suggest that problems stem from supernatural causes, I believe that they often result from our actions or the environments we operate within.

Success, I have learned, is largely about creating opportunities and optimizing the conditions around us. Determined to change the narrative, I have decided to pursue a master's degree in fermentation technology. My goal is not only to enhance my own skills but also to demonstrate to my father that his chosen profession was not flawed. Instead, it was a lack of understanding about how to leverage his skills for wealth creation. I have encountered skepticism from others regarding my unconventional path, but I remain confident.

I have come to understand that every profession holds potential for success when approached with the right mindset and a conducive environment. My journey has taught me that success requires more than hard work; it demands a blend of strategic thinking, an effective mindset, and the ability to adapt. As final-year students prepare to enter the professional world, I urge you to embrace these lessons.

Develop a mindset that sees opportunities where others see obstacles. Engage with your field not just to fulfill a requirement but to truly innovate and create value. No profession is inherently superior to another; its worth is determined by how you approach it. Reflecting on the wisdom of Professor
Fialor, a senior lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension, and Agribusiness at KNUST, once said, “When the blood is young, the ability to achieve is hot."

I encourage you to act on your ambitions now. The future is shaped by our mindset and the actions we take today.