Clarence Banoenumah is our portrait for today. I watched him closely as he took one step after another. His outlook on life, his zeal and tenacity and his firm resolve to achieve whatever he sets his mind to are commendable. I hope you can learn from him too as I have…
He is a young man from Fian in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Clarence is 24 years old and a recent graduate from St. Joseph’s College of Education, Bechem. Mr. Banoenumah is the immediate former Vice President of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) of Atwimma Nwabiagya in the Ashanti Region.
He loves listening to choral music and a bit of hip pop. Recently, he even joined his church choir as a bass singer. He also likes reading about psychology, history, personal development and finance. Books he recommends “Mastery” by George Leonard and “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill and then “Forty-Eight (48) Laws of Power”
He chose to go into teaching in order to make a positive impact on his students, the youth. He says, “I want to contribute my quota towards human development as a citizen. A lot of us, Africans, feel controlled by the West. I want them to believe in themselves and work towards their goals and aspirations”.
Apart from his qualification as a professional, Clarence believes in soft and hard skill development. He is currently an apprentice learning to become a tiler and a plumber. In addition, he is taking lessons on architectural drawings. He loves to see beautiful buildings and so his love for architecture made him take that step. His family also suggested that he learns a skill and that led him on to the path of apprenticeship while schooling to become a professional teacher.
So far, he has learnt how to lay tiles and some plumbing works. “I still need to perfect the tilling but I can tile a single room by myself”. He is however quite advanced with the plumbing.
Through this apprenticeship, he has learnt that there are countless moments where one would feel like giving up but no matter what, “just keep taking the step”.
In the near future, he would like to establish a construction company that will involve the skills he has acquired so far and more.
His advice to other young people is that learning a skill is difficult and in the process of learning, you may not necessarily gain any financial benefit. You may actually lose in the beginning. For instance, your transportation in and out but it will eventually pay off. You should also try to learn a skill you have interest in. It makes the process easier. You also have to be committed once you start.
“My boss advised me from the beginning not to focus on money but acquiring the skill. I would also add that humility is key. If you are not humble, those who know better than you would not be willing to teach you”.
