The Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr Divine Selase Agbeti, has called for a national mindset reset, urging Ghanaians to prioritise honesty, hard work, and discipline and quality service over the growing pursuit of quick money.
He said a change in attitudes and values was essential to national development, warning that dishonesty, laziness and mediocrity were undermining society’s commitment to excellence.
“As part of the government’s reset agenda, there is one key area that we must all pay attention to, and that is a mindset reset. As the years go by, there is a growing menace of dishonesty, laziness, and mediocrity in our society,” Dr Agbeti said.
“Everybody is thinking of how to make quick money, but very little thought is given to hard work, honesty, and quality of work.”
Addressing graduating students, he acknowledged the challenges they could face when entering the job market, particularly the limited availability of employment opportunities.
He, however, urged them to distinguish themselves through their attitude, commitment and dedication to quality service delivery, stressing that securing a job was only the beginning of a successful career.
According to Dr Agbeti, professional growth requires continuous self-improvement, responsibility and a willingness to deliver results.
He encouraged the graduates to follow established procedures, take ownership of their duties and make responsible decisions while accepting the consequences of their actions.
“Right attitude means following procedures and due processes to get things done. Right attitude means ownership of tasks and responsibilities. Right attitude means taking sound risks and accepting consequences of your actions,” he stated.
Dr Agbeti also urged young graduates to remain open to opportunities that would allow them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, noting that gaining practical experience could sometimes require sacrifices and patience.
He further encouraged them to seek mentors who could guide them in making informed career decisions and navigating professional challenges.
The CSA Director-General emphasised the importance of continuous learning and innovation, particularly as technological advancements and artificial intelligence continue to transform the world.
“Knowledge indeed is power; you therefore must be committed to continuous learning and innovation, especially in this age of technological advancements and Artificial Intelligence,” he said.
He noted that a positive attitude and the right mindset were common attributes among people who had overcome challenges and achieved success.
Dr Agbeti urged the graduates to approach difficulties with a growth-oriented mindset, encouraging them to identify opportunities in challenging circumstances rather than allowing setbacks to discourage them.
“Let challenges be a guide, not stumbling blocks. Your attitude in the face of adversity will define your character and set you apart,” he advised.
He reminded the graduates that completing their degrees marked the beginning of another important phase of their lives, requiring resilience, determination and a commitment to personal development.
“Even though having this degree marks your first serious conquest, you have another important conquest to embark on – the conquest of the real world,” he said.
Dr Agbeti encouraged them to face the future with positive, grateful, kind and passionate attitudes, urging them to apply their knowledge and skills meaningfully as they pursue their professional ambitions.