The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dominion Paints Manufacturing Industries Limited (DOPAMIL) has urged the youth of the nation to be consultative and determined in their struggle to survive.
Stephen Komla Adom’s advice stems from his admission that the system practised in Ghana is bureaucratic and the economic conditions as well not favourable, which frustrate and discourage the youth who want to venture into businesses amid the unemployment situation.
Currently, Ghana’s unemployment rate according to a 2020 report stands at 4.5 percent of the total labour force of the country.
In September, the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) organized a two-day Job and Career Fair in partnership with some 70 private companies including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), to offer the unemployed youth instant jobs, as part of the government’s efforts to reduce the rate.
The programme held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) from September 9 to 10, saw thousands of the teeming youth mass up at the centre to interact with employers for various vacant positions.
However, feedback some interviewers gave journalists revealed that many of the applicants either did not have the requisite skills or were not interested in the roles they were expected to play in the companies they applied for.
Meanwhile, of about 5000 persons who were expected to apply for the job opportunities and thronged the AICC, only 3000, approximately, would have the opportunity based on merit.
Likewise, Mr. Adom’s Agatex Company, a subsidiary of DOPAMIL, which is located at Tsawoenu in the Ho West Municipality of the Volta region, could not absorb all the job seekers in the area.
Considering the nature of the situation both before and after the job fair, many businessmen and women have advised the youth to start up their own businesses. But with the challenges associated with the process, the CEO who is a Pharmacist by profession encouraged that they are persistent in order to succeed.
Sharing his experience with Angelonline.com.gh on how he was able to pull through with his Agatex brand of paints, he said at no point in the process did he not encounter setbacks, but persistence got him the desired result.
“When it came to registration, it wasn’t easy, because there are bigger firms in Accra doing great things but have still not been able to pass through the Standards Authority’s certifications.
“We have the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] which wasn’t easy; the building permits; zoning permits for the place to be even zoned as an industrial enclave, none was easy,” he admitted.
Bearing this in mind, he further encouraged that they seek advice from persons who are knowledgeable or have had experiences in a business establishment to help condition them for their entrepreneurial roles.
“They [the youth] should ask questions; how did you make it. Then we [businessmen] can share the challenges associated with the business with you. Maybe I know someone I can contact for you…they should try it, they will succeed,” he assured.
About Dominion Paints Manufacturing Industries Limited
It is the manufacturer of the Agatex Brand of paints and painting accessories.
It is fully Ghanaian-owned Private Paint manufacturing Company located at the Dominion Villa at Tsawoenu, in the Ho West District of the Volta Region.
Its production capacity currently stands at 40,000 litres daily.
Its Board of Directors include: Richard Nii-Armah Quaye, Board Chairman; Stephen Komla Adom, CEO; and Sheila Affoley Odai, Board Secretary.
Others are Jeff Obre, Production Manager; Joseph Tetteh Baah, Finance And Administrative Manger; and Samuel Anderson, Sales Manager.
