By: Rita Naa Ayeley Armah
The President of the Centre for Economic Research and Policy Analysis (CERPA), Mr. Ebenezer Amankwah-Minkah is urging young leaders to seize and harness every opportunity that comes their way.
Sharing his inspiring journey from struggle to success at the 2025 National Emerging Leaders Economic Forum (NELEF), held on September 22 at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Mr. Amankwah-Minkah reflected on the challenges he faced after graduating from university, emphasizing that the path to success was far from easy.
In his quest for stability and a better future, he traveled abroad to take on menial jobs before returning to Ghana to complete his national service. “I found myself in the security man’s corner because there was no seat for me,” he said, sharing a moment that highlighted the humility, perseverance, and resilience that defined the beginning of his professional journey.
Undiscouraged by his circumstances, he sought out additional opportunities through internships, which ultimately led him to a pivotal role as a research officer. It was in this position that he recognized a gap in training programmes and seized the chance to develop them. His initiative transformed the training department into a vital revenue stream for the institution, proving that innovation can thrive even in challenging environments. This act, however created an environment for him to birth and also thrive in his own corporation (CERPA).
“As young as you are, whether NDC or NPP, they might not have gotten it right yet but one thing is assured – spot the little opportunity when you can, because if you are waiting for that perfect opportunity, then you have no opportunity,” he said, encouraging the audience to adopt a proactive mindset in their pursuit of success.
Mr. Amankwah-Minkah’s journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience and creativity in achieving one’s goals. His insights resonated with the young leaders present at NELEF 2025, inspiring them to embrace challenges and seek out opportunities in their own paths to success
