Christened,
Men of Integrity and Power Conference, it is an annual international men’s
event aimed at positioning men to assume the full responsibility for their
creation.
This
year’s conference, themed “When Men
Become Men”, was aimed at causing all men to return to their first love of
understanding their uniqueness in creation and to take up the challenge to
rebuilding their lives, families, institutions and the nation with biblical
principles.
Speakers
were drawn from high profile business leaders, top executives, and public
sector managers to help empower and transform young men while encouraging them
through mentorship. The conference was sponsored by Mancapital group, a
financial sector operator.
Challenging
the youth to change the story of Africa, under the topic ‘The Rising Men of Hope-Redefining the
African Story’, Mr. Michael Allan Asare, Chief Executive Officer of the
Mancapital Group, observed that Africa’s story has been written in a bizarre
way and that African men need to prepare themselves to change the negative
stories about the continent.
“Africa
need to change its story: African men need to change to take charge of the
continent’s destiny. The continent needs to identify and strengthen itself to
the things around it.”
He
said the time has come for the continent to also contribute solutions to global
problems.
“Africa’s
vast human and economic potential, natural resources and sources of clean
energy offer highly attractive investment opportunities which can be exploited
for the benefit not just for Africa, but the world. Its advantages include its
extraordinary mineral wealth and agricultural potential.”
Boasting
about the strength in Africa’s youth, he mentioned that the continent has a
young working population and a growing middle-class with considerable and
growing purchasing power.
This
in addition, Mr. Asare said, positions the continent with a lot of
treasures hat need to be exploited to benefit the entire world. “The
reality is that Africa is becoming a remarkable success story,” he said.
In
2010, six of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies were in Africa, and seven
African countries are expected to be in the top 10 over the next five years.
Africa’s
output is expected to expand by 50% by 2015. Its consumer sectors -- goods,
telecom and banking among others -- present the largest opportunity and are
already growing two to three times faster than those countries belonging to the
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The
rate of return on foreign investment in Africa is higher than for any other
region in the world.
This is not surprising given the competitive edge of the continent.
Mr.
Joseph Ockan, Managing Director of Man Botch Ghana Limited, said Ghana’s
current hope is in its youth -- and that the youth must be ready at all times
to work for the nation’s growth.
He
encouraged the youth to pursue honesty and trustworthiness in business
transactions, since this has enormous rewards.
He
said the world is waiting for the rising of men with distinguished character as
catalysts for change and voices of hope to the nations of the world.
“The
world out there is not friendly and it is for the youth to help change it.
Just be strong, honest, maximise potential and leave a positive footprint. Young people are the last hope for the
country, and you are the only hope for this world, too,” he said.
Mr.
Prince Williams Oduro, ACMN President, said the world’s values are broken
because men have failed to be men and gaps need to be filled. “Men need to rise
up to their responsibilities and father the next generation.
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