Dr. Kwasi Yelarge is an enterprising young pharmacist who has chalked several leadership successes from his years as a student to his current field of practice. He is currently a project manager for two NGOs: Sompahemaa Foundation which focuses on education and health as well as Rise Above Hope which focuses on girl-child education and poverty alleviation. At the peak of COVID-19, he was the national lead for the NGO Hope for Ghana which focused on building schools and sinking boreholes for deprived communities in the country.
Yelarge joined the credit union in his days as a student and benefiting immensely from the many opportunities in the union, shares his journey in the hope of helping his colleagues embrace the credit union concept.
1. Kindly tell us about yourself.
My name is Kwasi Yelarge. I was born in Kintampo where I sat for my BECE (2011) before moving to Sunyani Senior High for my secondary education (2011-2014). I joined KNUST for the PharmD program and graduated in 2021. To the best of my knowledge, I am the first Doctor of Pharmacy from my community in Kintampo.I think that I am a natural leader, primarily because I am a problem solver. Right from my first year in KNUST, I served as a year group lead for my cohort and spearheaded several initiatives, including building a past questions bank that benefitted the group immensely. I became GPSA vice president and Pharmakristo leader in the course of time, and in 2020/2021 became president of the Pharmaceutical Students Federation of Ghana (PSFGh). In this role, I led the Sickle Cell Awareness Campaign for the group, and it has become a regular feature on the calendar of the PSFGh. I also served on the public health committee of the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF) where I benefitted greatly learning first-hand pharmaceutical best practices across the globe.
2. Can you walk us through the circumstances that culminated in your membership with the Union?
I joined the credit union in 2015/16 through the generous enablement of Pharm. Ansere who was then my tutor in pharmacy school. My account was opened by Leticia, a member care officer. Through my regular savings, I was able to access a facility in 2016 to expand my business of buying and selling phones. The impact of the facility from the credit union on my business ventures in my days as a student piqued my interest in the cooperative movement and I have not looked back since.
3. How have those experiences in GCPCUL shaped and guided your financial decisions?
I did not know much about money as a student. I made several money mistakes then. It took time to cultivate a savings culture, but I’m glad to say that the cooperative union has been pivotal in my savings habit today. I have also moved from just saving into saving to invest. This should be the goal of every young individual who aspires to be wealthy.
4. What nuggets of wisdom would you like to share with GCPCUL members, so they maximise the benefits of membership?
The GCPCUL is a conduit for anyone seeking wealth. Its flexibility, ease of access and self-paced savings culture are ideal for anyone, irrespective of the amount on your pay cheque. I like the use of their digital platforms too. Members should be assured that they have visibility on their savings and investments at just a click of a button. Everyone needs money, and GCPCUL is a means to grow wealth.
5. What recommendations would you make to the BOD of the GCPCUL to make the union even better?
Generational gap issues. I think the union must strive to bring young blood into the fold to serve on various boards and committees to reflect the changing global population dynamics. Further, the BOD should institute capacity building programs for the youth of the union. In this regard, it is highly recommended that the students savings club be reactivated. There should be a concerted effort to engage PharmD house officers and onboard them as well.
6. What are the highlights (highs and lows) of your life journey thus far?
Let me start with the lows. My beginnings in life were quite tough. Financial constraints forced me to endure many hardships. The good thing out of this is how my life serves as a ray of hope for people in my community who are conversant with my humble beginnings and what the Lord is doing with my life now. My most cherished moments thus far would be the many success stories emanating from my mentorship to my colleagues and juniors. I like the impact I see in the lives of colleagues I have helped to build business models that are now generating profits, the success stories of friends I supported in their political ambitions and the life changing stories of beneficiaries of the NGOs I manage.
7. What has been your key driving force to coming this far?
My difficult background is my springboard. I aspire to be better always with the aim of getting others out of their difficult backgrounds.
8. What didn’t you know prior to your current position in your chosen field of employment that you wish someone had told you?
People management. They don’t really teach you this in school, so I had to learn this on the job. Another one is soft skills such as negotiation tactics, workplace ethics, etc. Finally, emotional intelligence. I think emotional intelligence is a skill that everyone must seek to hone at every given opportunity.
9.What skills, abilities or personal qualities are essential to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Identify problems; Think of viable solutions; Consistency. These three are the essential guiding posts to a successful entrepreneurial outcome.
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10. If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Everything happens for a reason. My wrong and right experiences have brought me this far. I only look ahead.
