Derick Ofosu-Koranteng, CEO of Cyclux Consult, is calling on Ghana’s youth to brace for frustration, cultivate endurance, and seek industry-relevant skills as the country struggles to align its education system with the demands of a fast-evolving digital economy.
Speaking at the Future Tech Kid AI workshop at Ibis Styles Hotel in Accra, Ofosu-Koranteng described entrepreneurship as a lonely, often discouraging journey. “You are putting in effort, but you’re not seeing results. It always feels discouraging and lonely,” he told participants. “If you can outlast frustration, you can outgrow limitations.”
The Cyclux founder stressed that persistence is more valuable than hype in Africa’s startup ecosystem. “Marathon doesn’t mean slow, but being strategic,” he said, urging entrepreneurs to celebrate small wins, whether earning GH₵50 for a flyer or GH₵80 for a portal upload, as momentum builders.
He recounted how patience turned a hostile encounter into opportunity, after being accused of fraud by a dissatisfied client early in his career, the same individual later recommended him to one of his most significant contracts. “Patience sometimes is gold,” he said.
Ofosu-Koranteng answered the question on whether Ghana’s higher education system, is the “the missing link” in AI and tech development. He said “The kind of graduates they are channelling out, the skill the economy needs is not what they are channelling out,” he said.
He advised students to complement computer science degrees with short, industry-focused courses in areas such as graphic design, digital marketing, and coding bootcamps. “Even the “waakye” (A local Ghanaian dish )seller needs a flyer. People need t-shirts. It’s in demand,” he noted, arguing that practical skills often outweigh academic credentials.
Comparing Ghana to Kenya, often dubbed the “Silicon Valley of Africa”, Ofosu-Koranteng pointed to policy support and infrastructure as key differentiators. “The sort of internet speed they have there, it’s not what we have here,” he said. He added that Kenya’s openness to digital innovation and collective mindset has accelerated its progress relative to Ghana.
Asked about Ghana’s draft cyber bill, Ofosu-Koranteng dismissed concerns that regulation would stifle innovation. “Look for your markets, focus on your space, leave them to do their job,” he said, suggesting entrepreneurs should prioritize execution over policy anxieties.
The Cyclux CEO further cautioned against overreliance on partners or teams, stressing the importance of self-sufficiency. “Your partner could just walk out on you anytime. Build systems that rely on yourself,” he said. He described this as “divine selfishness”, a mindset necessary to survive in Africa’s volatile startup environment.
Despite the hurdles, Ofosu-Koranteng highlighted the internet’s power to transcend borders. “Your customer base could be in the U.S., in Kenya, in Europe, in Australia. That is the beauty of technology,” he said.
“In technology, it’s not about the certification. It’s about how deep your experiences are,” he concluded.
