Ghanaian business leader Dr. Daniel McKorley has called on the nation’s youth to make bold choices that will redefine their lives, stressing that a “turning point is not about luck, but about making a decision.”
Addressing the 2025 National Youth Conference – The Turning Point Youth Mentoring Forum at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Dr. McKorley shared how he moved from working as a messenger to building the McDan Group of Companies.
“My first turning point came when I stopped focusing on what I didn’t have and started using the little I did have to create something better,” he said, adding that every young person has the power to decide their moment of change.
He encouraged the youth to focus on five key principles: mastering their skills before seeking advancement, creating value before building networks, maintaining discipline even when motivation fades, aiming to make a lasting impact, and protecting their reputation.
Dr. McKorley also urged innovation and self-reliance, telling participants, “If the door doesn’t open, build your own door — and make it strong enough that people will want to walk through it with you.”
Calling the McDan brand “a brand of hope built from the streets,” he noted that opportunities are everywhere for those ready to act. “In today’s world of AI, young people have no excuse to fail,” he added.
Highlighting Africa’s potential, he said Ghana’s youthful population is an asset that can only be harnessed through adaptability, innovation, and global connections.
He concluded by challenging participants to commit to their turning point, develop themselves continuously, and help others succeed along the way.