Transforming Rejection into Opportunity: The Life Lessons of Mr Kofi Agyarko

Dear Dreamers,

I’m thrilled to have a special guest with us today—Mr. Kofi Agyarko, a renowned energy efficiency expert from Ghana. His work has not only shaped Ghana's energy policies but has also made a significant impact on the international stage.

Mr. Agyarko’s career began at SEED Solutions, where he was key in deploying prepayment metering systems for electricity and water in Ghana. At the Energy Commission, he spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives, such as the 2007 mass CFL exchange program and a GEF-UNDP project on energy-efficient refrigerators, saving 400 GWh annually.

His dedication to energy efficiency has fostered strong partnerships and earned him recognition at international forums like the IEA Global Energy Efficiency conferences and the Vienna Energy Forum.

In today’s interview, Mr. Agyarko shares his remarkable journey, his thoughts on turning rejection into opportunity, and the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way.

Beatrice: Dear Mr. Agyarko, I welcome you to the Dreamweavers platform, where every journey starts with a dream. I am truly humbled to have you with us. To begin, could you share a bit about your background?

Mr. Agyarko:  Yes, it’s my pleasure to speak with you. My name is Kofi Agyarko. I was born in a small hamlet on the border between the Ashanti Region and the Western Region called Kuffuor’s Camp. It was a humble beginning; I’m one of the graduates from what some might call "schools under trees," which was quite common at the time. Kuffuor’s Camp was established by a timber merchant who later became the chief of Nkaiwe. After completing elementary school there, my father took me to his hometown to continue my education. I attended secondary school in Osino, which is on the Accra-Kumasi Highway, known for the popular Osino Graphic. The school was only three years old when I started, so I was part of the third batch of students. After that, I continued at Koforidua New Juaben Secondary School and then moved on to the School of Administration at the University of Ghana, Legon, where I studied Banking and Finance.

After working for a couple of years, I left Ghana for Norway to pursue a Master’s in Energy Economics. This switch from Banking and Finance led me to a career with the Energy Commission. On a personal note, I am married and have three children: one daughter and two sons.

Beatrice: Thank you so much for sharing that with us. Moving on, I’d like to discuss the concept of purpose. What does purpose mean to you, and how did you discover yours?

Mr. Agyarko:  Discovering my purpose was a rollercoaster journey. From my background, you can see that I didn’t have a clear mentor early on, so I wasn’t certain about my future path. As I grew older, I found myself admiring different people and moving toward their professions. At one point, I wanted to be an auditor; at another, I aspired to be an ambassador—though, humorously, I know now that ambassador isn’t a profession in the conventional sense.

My interest shifted again when I was in secondary school, influenced by a lecturer from the University of Ghana. Because he had attended the School of Administration, I decided that I wanted to go there too. Once there, I chose to study Banking and Finance, a newly introduced course at the time. This journey has taught me that my purpose in life involves humility, perseverance, focus, and the guidance of the Spirit of God.

Beatrice: In your story, you mentioned mentorship. How important is mentorship when someone is struggling to find their purpose?

Mr. Agyarko:  Mentorship is incredibly important. There’s a saying that there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. If you’re fortunate enough to be guided by someone who has already traveled the path you wish to take, you’re in a privileged position. That mentor can help you avoid pitfalls and possibly allow you to advance more quickly and go further than they did. However, if you are not humble, you cannot be mentored. It also requires patience. Not every step in the process will make sense to you at first, but if you are humble and trust in the experience of your mentor, you can achieve great things. Impatience or arrogance can prevent you from reaching your desired destination.

Beatrice: Very insightful. Would you say that humility is essential to achieving success?

Mr. Agyarko: To a very large extent, yes. But it also depends on how one defines success. For some, success means having money, properties, or fame. But for those of us with a different perspective, success isn’t just about material possessions. You become truly successful when you achieve your goals and also make a positive impact on society.

Beatrice: Wonderful. You spoke of not feeling wanted or recognized at your workplace some years ago. What advice would you give to our youth who are struggling with rejection? Can we also say that rejection sometimes means projection?

Mr. Agyarko: I think I’ve already shared how my perceived rejection led to a better outcome for me. One thing the youth today need to understand is patience and humility. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel rejected, my advice is to keep giving your best. It’s important to remember that, in my philosophy, it is God who rewards, not man. You might obstruct your blessings if you decide to fight the battle yourself. For example, if you think, "If they don’t recognize me, then I won’t put in the effort," you’re only hurting yourself. If you do a half-hearted job but still collect your salary, you’re not being fair to your employer—you’re cheating them. So you end up being both the complainant and the accused.

Instead of jumping to conclusions about being disliked, you should introspect. Ask yourself if there is something you could be doing better. It’s not always the case that God is pushing you out of your comfort zone for promotion; sometimes, you may need to change your approach or improve your work ethic. No employer wants to deal with someone who is lazy, unreliable, or not punctual. So, it’s crucial to do a self-check. If, after honest introspection, you believe you’ve done everything right, then leave the rest to God and continue praying to see what the outcome will be.

Beatrice:  Thank you for sharing these valuable insights. As a very busy person, how do you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal life and well-being? Is there a secret to achieving this balance?

Mr. Agyarko: That’s a big question. I find satisfaction when people around me are happy and satisfied. Professionally, I am very busy, and I also have an active social life. I’m a Christian and play a major role in my church. Both aspects are important to me, and I make sure neither suffers because of the other. Thankfully, I have a very supportive wife who can handle things at home when I’m away for work or church activities. She takes care of the children, manages the household, and ensures everything runs smoothly in my absence. My main role is to check their homework and sign it.  With her taking care of the home front, I am left to focus on my job and church duties. Balancing the two is challenging, but it’s manageable with good time management and support from loved ones.

Beatrice: That’s very insightful. On that note, who or what inspires you and motivates you ?

Mr. Agyarko: When it comes to work, by the age of 60, you face your first major social rejection in life: retirement. Regardless of how useful or good you are, you’ll be asked to retire and go home. That’s why it’s important not to get too attached to your job alone; you need to think about your social impact and what you’ll do after retirement. I’m inspired by the understanding that one day, I’ll be asked to go home from my job. Also, as a Christian, I believe there is life after this one, and I need to prepare for that. So, my inspiration comes from knowing that I need to do things now that will benefit me both in this life and in the afterlife. I have chosen to be a "kingdom worker," which keeps me engaged and gives me a sense of purpose beyond my professional career. Serving God, to me, is also serving mankind. We have not seen God, but we see the people around us—our family, friends, and neighbors. I feel fulfilled when I offer service to others.

Beatrice: That was beautiful—service to God is indeed service to mankind. As we conclude this wonderful conversation, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind?

Mr. Agyarko: Two things come to mind. I’ve worked for 22 years at my current workplace, the Energy Commission, and I’m grateful to God for allowing me to leave a legacy there. I was tasked with making Ghana’s economy more energy efficient, ensuring that electrical appliances meet minimum standards to prevent wasting electricity. I believe I’ve done this job well, and the next generation will benefit from these efforts. Additionally, I’ve documented my work with six published articles, which are available online for anyone to read. So, in that regard, I feel I have made a meaningful impact.

On the spiritual side, I hope to leave a legacy of faith and dedication to God. My children are adults now, and they are all doing well—they are neither wayward nor idle. In my church community, I may not be loved by everyone, but I believe I am appreciated by the majority who recognize my efforts.

Beatrice: Thank you so much, Mr. Agyarko, for sharing your inspiring journey and insights with us. I am deeply grateful for your time and wisdom. God bless you.

Mr. Agyarko:  It’s been my pleasure. Thank you very much.