By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC
At the annual prize giving ceremony of the United Christian Church (UCC) School, the Coordinator of Operations of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Emmanuel Koivaya Amara Esq. has told pupils of the school about the need to develop a positive mindset at their formative stage. He was speaking as Guest Speaker of the ceremony held on Thursday 7th March, 2024 at the school’s grounds, Tower Hill, in Freetown.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Developing a Successful Mindset towards the Future’, Mr Amara stated the importance of having a successful mindset at their formative stage, referencing what Zig Ziglar’s observed that a “positive mindset will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.” He said that there areno easy routes to success, adding that the path to it is immersed with thorns and rocks and rarely a smooth sailing one. However, he maintained that a person with a positive mindset views challenges as opportunities for growth and learning by manifesting sheer perseverance in the face of adversity, adapting strategies as needed, and emerging stronger and more determined than ever before.
“A positive mindset is but the incentive that breeds the much needed resilience that allows us not to succumb to setbacks and failures, yet reignite our spirits: gives us the courage to brave through any of those. Some of you were not born in homes with gilded luxuries and sheer privileges. You came from humble yet challenging backgrounds. But there are replete of examples of people who have come from backgrounds like those and were able to rise to acme of society. They envisioned it, believe in themselves and were poised to change the narrative,” he admonished.
Mr. Amara encouraged the pupils to dream big and take required actions towards actualizing them. “What is your dream? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years? These are very important questions you should ask and be reminding yourselves with. Next year, I desire topping my class. I desire to have been admitted to study Law, Medicine or Accounting and graduate in the next five years. Being grounded in clarity of vision is very key. It is important to define clear goals and objectives for the future, and then devise a strategic plan to attain them,” he underscored.
He encouraged them not to succumb or get paralyzed by fear, whilst entreating them to build firm relationships and be mutually empathetic as they seek common grounds. He noted that in a world that appears to be sharply divided, collaboration is important.
He emphasized on the importance of continuous learning and willingness to take calculated risks in this cause. He however resounded the importance of integrity as a personal value and incentive for success. “It is a vital tenet for success. It requires you doing the right things even when not being watched. Let it be a guiding torch directing your steps and conducts. Don’t trade it. Be the next crop of leaders carefully educated and well robed with the values of integrity,” he concluded.
