Renowned Ghanaian businessman and Executive Chairman of the McDan Group, Daniel McKorley, popularly known as McDan, has advised young people against getting married without financial stability, warning that marriage without money can be draining. Speaking at the 2025 edition of PCH Hangouts at the ICGC The New Wine Temple, East Legon, McDan shared his views on financial preparedness and personal discipline, stressing the importance of self-development before taking on major responsibilities like marriage. “If you don’t have money, don’t marry. If you don’t have money, money, don’t marry, it would derail you,” he stated emphatically.
Why McDan delayed marriage
Revealing his personal struggles, McDan disclosed that financial responsibilities were a major factor in his decision to delay marriage. “I couldn’t marry early because I was afraid of chop money,” he admitted. “I grew up in an environment where you could see a man physically abusing a woman because of chop money, and you could see a woman verbally abusing a man because of chop money. So, the institution of marriage was scary for me.” His remarks shed light on the financial pressures many couples face and the impact economic struggles can have on relationships.
Discipline and focus: The key to success
McDan emphasized the importance of discipline and focus among Ghanaian youth, going beyond the topic of marriage. He expressed concern that although many young people in Ghana are intelligent and full of potential, they often lack the discipline and courage needed to achieve their dreams. “What the Ghanaian youth need is discipline and a bit of courage. We have talented young people in this country, but they require both discipline and courage to succeed,” he stated.
Using his own experiences as an example, McDan pointed out that when he launched the McDan Entrepreneur Challenge, he received 15,000 applications from new businesses. However, many applicants lacked what he referred to as “the finishing power.” “It’s not about money; it’s about finishing power. If you ask me to stop everything and focus on one thing, it should be to focus on yourself,” he advised. He encouraged young people to develop a strong work ethic and to make personal sacrifices in their pursuit of success. “If you sleep eight hours a day, try sleeping only four hours. Use the extra time to serve others; there is great value in service. So, start with yourself,” he urged.
“Other People’s Money” – The secret to starting a business
McDan introduced the youth to a concept he called “OPM,” which stands for “Other People’s Money.” He explained that individuals can start businesses without their own capital by leveraging external resources and practicing financial discipline. “You can be very intelligent and effectively use OPM, even if you have no money to begin with. I have experienced this myself. You don’t need your own funds to start a business; instead, you can utilize OPM, where discipline is your most important asset,” he explained.
Encouraging self-belief, McDan urged young people to cultivate confidence in their abilities and take action toward their goals. “You own your future. You need to be able to look in the mirror and say to yourself, ‘I will succeed.’ A journey of a thousand miles begins with you. Take a moment to stop everything and reflect on yourself,” he advised. McDan’s message resonated with many attendees, as he emphasized the importance of discipline, courage, and financial planning in achieving both personal and professional success.
By: Kweku Zurek
