Former Deputy Finance Minister and former NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Juaboso, Dr. Alex Ampaabeng, has shared how businessman and politician Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong inspired his 14-year-old son, Jadon, during a recent encounter in Ghana.
Jadon, who travelled from Birmingham to Ghana to attend his grandmother’s funeral, had the opportunity to meet Hon. Ken Agyapong again, following an earlier encounter at Benchema.
According to Dr. Ampaabeng, what began as a simple conversation developed into an inspiring experience for his son.
Jadon, who has an interest in business and entrepreneurship, reportedly asked Hon. Ken several questions about his business journey and expressed his ambition to become a businessman when he grows up.
He also shared a business idea he hopes to develop alongside his education and football.
Dr. Ampaabeng said he was particularly impressed by the attention Hon. Ken gave his son, noting that he listened to Jadon, asked questions about his idea and encouraged him to take it seriously.
At the end of the conversation, Hon. Ken reportedly gave Jadon £100 as seed capital to help him take the first step towards developing his business idea.
Dr. Ampaabeng said the gesture meant much more to his son than the monetary value.
He explained that since the encounter, Jadon has demonstrated renewed excitement and confidence because someone he looks up to took his idea seriously and encouraged him to believe in his own potential.
“For Jadon, the significance went far beyond the £100,” Dr. Ampaabeng said.
He noted that people who have achieved success sometimes underestimate the impact that their time, attention and encouragement can have on young people.
According to him, young people may eventually forget the money they receive, but they are unlikely to forget someone who made them feel that their dreams mattered.
Dr. Ampaabeng therefore encouraged people in positions of influence and privilege to contribute to nurturing the next generation by sharing their experiences, opening doors, listening to young people, challenging their ideas and giving them the confidence to pursue their ambitions.
He expressed gratitude to Hon. Ken Agyapong for taking the time to listen to his son and encourage him.
Dr. Ampaabeng said the experience had reminded him of the importance of investing in young people and helping them develop confidence in their abilities.
He believes that if successful individuals can inspire even one young person to believe in themselves, pursue an idea and develop their potential, it would constitute an investment in the future.
“Sometimes, a small gesture is not really about the money. It is about saying to a young person: ‘I see you. I believe you can do this. Now go and try, he said.
