Today will mark exactly a week that I experienced one of those big
moments in my recent life and career. Checking my mail has become a
usual habit ut this day was left out and that nearly caused me this
opportunity. Although not my first time of visiting the presidency,
this was outstanding because of the occasion; a press launch involving
the youngest billionaire in Africa, the president of Ghana, Ministers
of state and strictly by invitation.
Very entrusted, I left home early to prevent anything that might make
me arrive at the venue late (hope you know those things) but
unfortunately, the receptionists had not receive the notice for the
activities to be taking place at the presidency early and guess what,
I became a stranded goat waiting for the master to give the go ahead
before i get the opportunity to feed my anxiety with a pass into the
flagstaff house.
I was given a presidential reception having waited for hours to join
the Global Shapers Accra Hub who gave me the opportunity to be part of
the August occasion of my life. And after the necessary security
checks, we had the pass to proceed to the conference room after which
the president and his entourage arrived.
But wait; before all this started I had the singular honour to spend
an invaluable time with a board member of the National Communications
Authority, Multiple Award Winning "disabled" software engineer and IT
Consultant, Farida Bedwei. She asked me to tell her what I do, and I
took it is was to pitch to the judges of the BBC's reality show
"Dragon's Den". I executed it well and she immediately took interest
in almost all i said and also accepted to mentor young girls on the Be
A Girl project and feature on our upcoming TV Show, Career Insights. I
became an instant companion assisting her driver for the day and that
was the power of networking I hold, thanks to God for this Miracle.
And just on my way to have the final security pass, I met someone I
would have ran following in a crowd, just to catch a glimpse of; Hon.
Albert Zigah, the former MP of Ketu South and with a little
introduction and predicting the excitement in me, he enquired about my
mission and wished me a good day.
Come on, how would you imagine the dealings and fulfilment of a
onetime Village Boy meeting the president, youngest billionaire in
Africa and cabinet ministers all in a day for a launch of a global
project in his country. For me, it was like representing Ghana at the
FIFA World Cup and winning it all alone for me and country; with God
all things are possible, readers.
Entering into the presidential conference room, I saw seated a young
man with crossed legs at the front row gently scouting through an IPad
and my guess can never go wrong on this; I have finally met the young
man, I have being reading about. I gently walked to hint to whisper a
greeting and he responded, that was my attempt to get his attention to
become a verified fan and I achieved it. After seeing Farida walked
in, he stood up to engage her in a conversation and that was just the
confirmation of his humility and now i knew, this is the ideal Mentor
that every young African must admire as a Role Model.
And just as we entered to take our seats, Nana Oye Lithur, Mahama
Ayariga, Mr. Ahwoi, Chief of Staff and we were all on our feet to
welcome the president of the land, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.
He took his reserved white chair and the program was ready to roll.
After all the official proceedings, Ms Anna Nation, Programs Director
of the Mara Foundation took the stage to introduce the guest of honour
of the meeting to the president.
To be continued.................
Thank You.
Yours Truly,
Verified Fan of Youngest African Billionaire
Farida Bedwei's Companion,
Village Boy turned First Class Citizen
Social Entrepreneur
Akpah Prince
akpahprince@ymail.com
