Journey to Success – Interview Series – The Remarkable Journey of a Visionary African Leader – Desmond John Beddy
"Journey to Success" - Interview Series
The Remarkable Journey of a Visionary African Leader - Desmond John Beddy
Begleiten Sie Beatrice Ama Boatemaa Asante auf einer inspirierenden Reise mit Persönlichkeiten, die in ihrem Leben ihre Träume verwirklicht haben. Diese Interviews sollen die Jugend motivieren, dass man mit Entschlossenheit und Durchhaltevermögen jedes Hindernis überwinden und seine Ziele erreichen kann.
Join Beatrice Ama Boatemaa Asante as she takes you on an inspiring journey with personalities who have achieved their dreams in life. These interviews aim to motivate the youth that with determination and perseverance, one can overcome any obstacle to reach their goals.
Original-Interview mit Mr. Desmond John Beddy (englisch)
Beatrice: Desmond, could you encapsulate your essence in a single phrase or brief statement?
Desmond: I am easy-going and adaptive.
Beatrice: You seem to have a straightforward outlook on life. What’s the reasoning behind that?
Desmond: I believe it fosters comfort for everyone around us, and I’m convinced that if we all adopt such a lifestyle, it would benefit all of us.
Beatrice: Could you share the early chapters of your life story?
Desmond: I grew up in Accra within a middle-class family. I had a somewhat pampered upbringing. I spent seven years in boarding school, which greatly influenced my perspective on life. During those years, Ghana faced a severe famine, and despite the hardships, it taught me to value life and appreciate the little I had back then.
Beatrice: What were your childhood aspirations, and who did you aspire to become?
Desmond: I had dreams of becoming a lawyer.
Beatrice: As a young man, what challenges did you face, and how did you navigate them?
Desmond: One of my significant challenges in my youth was undergoing wrist surgery when I arrived in Germany. At that time, having traveled abroad with numerous aspirations and dreams, this surgery seemed like a substantial setback. However, it ultimately propelled me to re-evaluate my goals and consider how I could still achieve success despite my circumstances.
Beatrice: How did you deal with racism in Germany?
Desmond: I have always focused on the positive aspects of life. I acknowledge that racism, tribalism, and similar issues exist. In such situations, I choose to concentrate my energy on those who support and care for me rather than dwelling on those who don’t. I’ve never played the victim and never will.
Beatrice: Desmond, how did you discover your passion as a social entrepreneur?
Desmond: It was quite unforeseen. Upon arriving in Germany, I found myself in leadership roles I never anticipated. I earned the trust and confidence of others in the community, leading to my role as the president of the African Union in Kiel. Additionally, I chanced to be the un-ceremonial coordinator for the Ghanaian community during the 2006 World Cup that took place in Germany, further strengthening my leadership skills. In all these, it was always about the social good, not the profit associated with it.
Beatrice: What sets you apart as a leader?
Desmond: I’ve always known what I wanted and how to achieve it. Moreover, I possess the ability to mobilize people behind a common cause. I am sincerely grateful for the trust people placed in me; I wouldn’t have come this far without their support.
Beatrice: What has been your greatest challenge in your professional journey?
Desmond: In 2001, after completing my IT traineeship, I faced difficulties securing a job in the field. Interestingly, some of my peers who struggled academically during the course received job offers, while I did not. However, this setback did not deter me. Instead, I promptly obtained certification as a Systems Engineer, expanding my job prospects. I see challenges as opportunities for growth; if plan A fails, there are 25 more letters in the alphabet.
Beatrice: In your professional arena, which personality types have you found challenging to work with?
Desmond: I have always had difficulty working with procrastinators and those who insist on everything being perfect before taking action. It is great to plan, but do not plan for life. I am more of a go-getter. Life involves twists and turns, and it requires taking bold leaps to fulfil one’s purpose; staying in your comfort zone won’t get you there.
Beatrice: Desmond, I understand you are the co-founder of the African Youth Education Award. Could you share how this program originated?
Desmond: As an African citizen in Germany, we noticed that our community was not fully tapping into the opportunities the country had to offer our children and ourselves as parents. My co-founders and I recognized that the inadequacies and low self-esteem our youth faced resulted from the absence of role models, particularly in terms of career choices and making their voices heard. So, we conceived the idea of creating a platform to celebrate and emulate success stories within the African community. We highlight exceptional academic achievers as an inspiration for others to realize that if they can succeed, so can they. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey thus far.
Beatrice: What holds your life together?
Desmond: My belief that there is always a solution and my trust that every problem carries within it the means to solve it.
Beatrice: How do you respond when you find yourself at rock bottom?
Desmond: Hitting rock bottom offers a chance to step back and reflect on the decisions that led to that undesirable place. Failure is not the end; it’s the refusal to rise from adversity that can be detrimental. And in your darkest moments, don’t forget to take a break, have some fun, and momentarily forget your sorrows…
Beatrice: What is your ultimate life goal?
Desmond: My ultimate goal is to uplift the people around me. Success doesn’t come from controlling everything and everyone; it stems from empowering others. Imagine being part of a group where everyone relies on you for every little thing. Such situations can be crippling. Grant others space and trust, allow them to learn from their mistakes, and equip themselves. This way, you’ll cultivate proactive and efficient leaders.
Beatrice: What are the three most important life lessons you’ve learned?
Desmond: Firstly, be patient with yourself, others, and life in general. Everything comes at the right time. Secondly, embrace your uniqueness; there’s no joy in comparing yourself to others. Success rarely comes to those who constantly measure themselves against others. Finally, avoid greed; it has denied many people the success and peace of mind they deserve. We arrived in this world with nothing, and we’ll leave with nothing.
Beatrice: What advice would you offer to the youth?
Desmond: Be open to learning, maintain confidence without arrogance, and seek mentorship from those who have already achieved what you aspire to reach in life.
Beatrice: Desmond, what is your vision for Africa and its people?
Desmond: I believe Africa offers numerous opportunities. My fervent hope is that our youth will unite to rebuild the continent with innovative ideas. I encourage fellow Africans to create their opportunities and question the status quo. When selecting leaders, prioritize those who are patriotic and visionary, willing to serve and dedicate themselves to our continent.
