BYU-Management-Society
Attendees at the Africa Professional Development Conference in Accra, Ghana2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.On July 28 and 29, 2023 the Brigham Young University-Management Society (BYUMS) hosted an African Professional Development Conference in Accra Ghana. On July 28, BYUMS chapter leaders from eight African countries (Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo) met with global BYUMS leaders who introduced the Leadership and Professional Development Framework. The meeting was held at the Christianborg Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
On July 29, the BYUMS sponsored a General Session which included approximately six hundred in-person and 1,400 remote participants throughout Africa. Accomplished speakers from Ghana and the U.S. spoke on the conference theme "Lift and Lead" which focused on skill and career development. Conference attendees learned about a free Launching Leaders personal development course (https://www.llworldwide.org/) as well mentoring and other resources that contribute to career advancement.
Through access to global mentoring with partners from the BYUMS, participants can “connect locally, connect in Africa, and if we are successful here today, connect globally,” said Jason Brown, Executive Director of the BYUMS. Michael Johanson, Executive Director of the BYU Alumni Association said “it’s good to network, it’s better to mentor, and it’s best when we can minister to one another.”
The keynote speaker at the conference was Keli Gadzekpo, CEO at Enterprise Group and Chairman of the Databank Foundation. Gadzekpo urged the conference attendees not to fear failure. “If you’ve never failed, then you’ve probably never tried. Fear of failure leads to inaction…and you need to act.” He also encouraged them to lead with integrity. “Integrity comes at a price, and you must be willing to pay that price.”
The BYU-Management Society works closely with partners such as the BYU Alumni Association, Welfare and Self-Reliance Services of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Skep Foundation, Interweave Solutions, Academy for Creating Enterprise, and others to help young adults (generally ages 18-31). The focus of all collaborative partners is to improve the professional skills, experience, wages, education and leadership capabilities of these young adults in order to increase their employment opportunities. Better jobs will bless their lives and the lives of their families and allow them to better serve God.
The BYU-Management Society (BYUMS) was organized in 1977 by President Merrill J. Bateman (https://marriott.byu.edu/magazine/feature/25-years-of-the-byu-management-society). Since that time, the BYUMS has expanded globally and presently has ten chapters in Africa.