Simon Sinek gave a great TED Talk titled ‘Start with Why.’ It’s a certified goose-bumps-giver. Check it out. It’s available on Youtube. He talks about Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King Jnr. and other great change-makers who started with ‘why.’
I read the book. Same title. It’s ridiculously good.
Now, I am taking it further.
Right after asking why, consider how, when, where, who, what; in no particular order.
Why do we need an Anlo State University? Because there are thousands of SHS graduates in the Volta Region and beyond who are too poor to afford the public and private universities we have in Ghana, and a university that offers quality tertiary education at minimal cost or zero costs will be welcome and greatly contribute to the area’s socio-economic development.
Why do you need to pass your exams? Because you want to access tertiary education, you want to prepare for the future, you want to appreciate the confidence your parent or guardian repose in you. You can find enough reasons to not give up, to do more, to achieve, to pass your exams. You should. No distractions.
How do you build a university offering quality education at minimal cost or zero? Use the Uopeople model. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Just reimagine it, tweak it a little. A 100% online university won’t work in our part of the world. Not yet. The campus experience is necessary. It can be done.
How do you pass your exams? Don’t miss classes if you can help with it. Learn from your peers. Teach others. Solve your past questions. Avoid anything that distracts you or dilutes your focus. The examination is just a few weeks away.
Who will do it? Us, of course. The government won’t build it. NDC won’t. NPP won’t. We have to do it ourselves.
If you are a student, nobody will study for you. Your teacher will do his part, your study mates might help, but the greatest responsibility is on you. Take charge of your studies.
When do we build the university? As soon as possible. Now! Discussions have already started. You can be part of this fight or watch from the sidelines.
When do you study? Every time! Whether you feel like studying or not, do it. Don’t wait for inspiration. It will never come. Get yourself inspired. Just write down your reasons to not give up and get going.
Where do we build it? Here, of course. Let it rise grand and great. Let it be a testament to the will, ingenuity and innovation of a people. Let it be said that they did not wait for any government or party to do it. They just did it.
Whatever project you are working on or the individual pursuit you are after, getting to know the why of it will steel you against any future obstacles. You won’t give up if it matters.
Let’s do this.
By Stan Dugah
StantheStoryTeller
27/09/2021
