Individuals are often influenced by varied inclinations toenter specific professions or take decisions which have lasting effects on their lifestyles.

Though some people have been able to get the profession of their dream and will forever remain grateful to God, others, on the contrary, have to change their original plans to settle on different professions for a living.

To Mr Daniel Otto, an unassuming gentleman who had studied Electrical Engineering at the Kpando Technical Institute, and hails from Ho- Klefe in the Volta-Region, his ardentdesire while at school was to become a Military Officer.

He intimated that the impeccable level of discipline in the military, how principled they are, time and duty consciousness and their dedication to work, were some of the qualities which had endeared him to the military profession.

As fate would have it, Daniel Otto was not successful the first occasion he applied to enlist into the military.After the failed attempt to get enlisted into the military, he secured a job at a supermarket at Madina.

“Later, Pastor WorlanyoKudzo of the Lamb Light International, Malejor, where l fellowship,  toldme that he had a vision in which he saw meselling coconuts,so l should think about it,” he said.

Mr Otto who was not enthused about the revelation to sell coconuts, said his greatest wish, after notgetting into the military, was to get employed in a well-respected job.

Based on the prediction of Pastor Worlanyo, he reluctantlysecured an umbrella,ostensibly as a protection from the scotching sun,purchased2,500 pieces of coconut and hired the services of two young men to start thebusiness atAdentan, in Accra.

Unfortunately, the young men he hired to sell the coconuts for him were neither regular nor punctual at the location to do brisk business.This lackadaisical attitudecaused the coconuts to go bad after they were left unattended to for some weeks.

After the disappointment, he relocated to Malejorto sell his coconuts, but he was again disappointed as sales at this new location alsowas disappointing.

Following this second setback, he doubted the authenticity of the prophecy which ushered him into the business.Daniel, however, intimated that he was not too much disappointed since he relied on God to pave the way for him.

Challenges

In the beginning,MrDaniel Otto was confronted with many problems in selling the coconut.  He said though he did not know how to peel coconut, he felt shy to do the business.Fortunately for him, he was quick to overcome the shyness and focused on how to make his job thrive.

Having gone cash trapped due to the heavy losses he had incurred, he contrived means to purchaseGH¢ 50.00 worth of coconut in sacks from Madina to sell at Malejor in a wheelbarrow.Surprisingly, sales gradually picked up after every trip to Madina to purchase coconuts.

Eager to make an impact in the business, this energetic gentleman hired a tricycle to facilitate his work. Unfortunately, the tricycle was stolen and he had to sell under an umbrella.

Since he operated from a waterlogged area, he had to wake up as early as 5.30 am, fetchsand to fill the spot where the water had gathered to guarantee a solid ground for sales to start at 6.00 am till 10.30 pm or 11.30 pm sometimes, when customers kept coming.

Daniel now orders about1, 500pieces of coconut from Swedru and sells them within three to four days.

Youth

Daniel Otto has asked the youth to be zealous in whatever they do in life and remain focused no matter the alternative suggestions others would offer.

He said they should not look down on any job and consider it unattractive or unimportant but hold on fast to whatever ideas they have about the job they would like to undertake in life.

Otto said the youth who were endowed with creative mindsand would always like to take the initiative in doing things, should be encouraged to enable them to do more.

He said there were occasions people brought contrary views in order to discourage him but he stood his grounds.

Otto asked the youth to brighten the corner where they are and make the best of all conditions no matter the constraints.

Daniel Otto who has seven siblings,is single and enjoyssinging gospel songs and reading scripture.

By Raymond Kyekye