Executive Chairman of JL Holdings, Dr. James Condua Orleans-Lindsay, has urged the youth to make the most of the opportunities available to them today, saying the current generation has “no excuse to fail”.
Speaking on The Career Trail programme with Irene Adubea Aning on JoyNews and Joy Learning TV, Dr. Orleans-Lindsay compared the challenges faced by his generation to the relative convenience of the modern era, noting that technology has made success more accessible than ever.
“Now, you see, your generation and the people after you, they are spoilt for choice,” he said.
“We used to go to someone’s house just to find out if they were home. Very few people had telephones, and even having a landline was a luxury. Now, you can just WhatsApp. Life is easy,” he continued.
He stressed that the abundance of tools and opportunities available today means there is no justification for complacency.
“You have no reason to fail. If you are a writer, you can write and be successful. If you are a photographer, a journalist, or whatever space you find yourself in, do it well, and once you do it well, success will come,” he encouraged.
Reflecting on his own journey, Dr. Orleans-Lindsay described himself as “a product of grace” but emphasised that grace must be matched with diligence.
“Even grace does not work in a vacuum. It needs a medium and that’s hard work. I’ve done 12 hours a day, 8 to 8, for 15 years. Not a single day have I woken up tired or unwilling to go to work,” he stressed.
He urged young people to remain disciplined, self-aware, and consistent in their pursuits.
“Staying true to yourself is a cherished value. I don’t know how to dance, so I don’t go to dancing competitions. But I can think, if you bring your problem to me, I’ll dissect it and help you find a solution,” he noted.
Dr. Orleans-Lindsay also encouraged the youth to embrace small beginnings and identify business opportunities in everyday needs.
“Why work 8 to 5 for GH¢3,000 when you can supply vegetables to homes in hygienic conditions, properly packaged and delivered? Your small car that you use to flex can make you extra money,” he advised.
He added that persistence is key, even when early efforts are met with rejection.
“People will drive you away. So what? You come, you go again, and you go again. That’s how success comes,” he pointed out.
Dr. Orleans-Lindsay’s message to the youth was clear. With today’s access to information, tools, and opportunity, the only real barrier to success is a lack of effort and perseverance.
