From 17-year-old receptionist to PhD holder – the story of Abena Asomaning
Asomaning, who doubles as a lecturer at UPSA, said the youth in Ghana must be open-minded about opportunities
The managing director of Africa Environmental Sanitation Consult, Abena Asomaning, has advised Ghanaian youth to be focused and determined in developing their capacity in order to succeed in life.
Asomaning, who doubles as a lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), said the youth must be open-minded about opportunities, and described how Nigerians contributed to her persistence and resilience in her career.
Appearing on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (22 June 2023), Asomaning said she worked in five different factories while pursuing her Master’s degree in the UK.
“After SHS, I didn’t want to sit at home, so I sent out applications and eventually, started out working as a receptionist at 17,” she said. “The journey didn’t start at the top. It’s not been glamorous: it’s all about hard work.
“I also worked in a radio station while still in university. I could write, so I wrote jingles, and then I hosted two shows on my own. I also facilitated programmes for a while, but I eventually left because I couldn’t balance working with school,” she recalled.
Asomaning added: “When I went to the UK for my Master’s, I met some Ghanaians but the people who motivated me were Nigerians.
“I built my persistence, resilience and open-mindedness about opportunities from Nigerians. Give them a blank slate and they’ll see it as an opportunity.”
Listen to Abena Asomaning in the audio clip attached below:
Watch the full interview in the video clip below:
Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra
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