University of Cape Coast (UCC) students have been advised to be battle-ready and fully prepared for opportunities as they make strides in life.

A professor of Agricultural Education, Prof. Edward Ntifo-Siaw, formerly of the School of Agriculture-UCC, who made the call, expressed shock that today's youth had the popular misconception that opportunities would rather knock on their doors to be embraced.

"The young ones in this country think that opportunities should wait for them. No! it doesn't work like that in the real world," he said.

To buttress his point, Prof. Ntifo-Siaw added, "Opportunities are like trains, they don't wait for passengers. So, a passenger must be at the train station, so when the train comes, he or she boards the train."

He was speaking at an event organised by the School of Agriculture-UCC dubbed, “Time with the Senior Citizen".

Some participants in the event

The event is part of the Research Seminar Series where retired faculty of the School take turns to tell their stories while in active service.

He recalled with glee when he was awarded a scholarship to pursue further studies in the United States of America where he was the only candidate among his colleagues who had sat for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and SAT exams, requirements of the scholarship in 1987.

Prof. Ntifo-Siaw further indicated that acquiring entrepreneurial skills in present times was highly relevant especially for women since it enables them to play pivotal roles in their families and the country’s development.

He also urged students to acquire entrepreneurial skills and strive to become entrepreneurs with repute to contribute towards Ghana’s economic growth, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving entrepreneurial success. 

Faculty members and students in a group shot after the event

Prof. Ntifo-Siaw took advantage of the event to advise people in top positions to mentor their subordinates to enable them to take over leadership positions after them.

The seminar was chaired by the Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Prof. Ernest L. Okorley.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC