The Founder and Chairman of the McDan Group, Daniel McKorley has challenged young people to take control of their futures by making deliberate choices rather than waiting for circumstances to change.
Addressing the 2025 National Youth Conference; The Turning Point Youth Mentoring Forum, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, McKorley drew on his personal journey from working as a messenger to leading a multinational business empire.
He said his transformation began when he stopped dwelling on what he lacked and started building with the resources available to him. “A turning point is the moment you say ‘enough is enough’ and refuse to let your circumstances hold you back,” he told the gathering.
McKorley shared lessons he described as critical to success, including prioritising discipline over fleeting motivation, gaining competence before pursuing opportunities, delivering value before seeking to expand one’s network, striving for significance rather than mere survival, and guarding one’s reputation.
“The most successful people don’t wait for large amounts of capital — they start with small, deliberate actions,” he said, urging the youth to explore prospects in emerging fields such as technology, trade, agribusiness, and green energy.
He also called on young people to take responsibility for their personal growth and act as catalysts for change in their communities. “If the door doesn’t open, build your own door and make it strong enough for others to walk through with you,” he added.
Describing the McDan brand as “a brand of hope built from the streets,” Dr McKorley said there was no room for excuses in today’s rapidly evolving world, especially with the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.