Rev. Dr Nana Yaa Prempeh Urges Young Women To Rise Above Life’s Challenges

On the debut episode of the show WOMAN on 3Music TV, host Lerny Lomotey engaged Rev. Dr Nana Yaa Prempeh in a powerful conversation about resilience, discipline and realities.

During the discussion, Lomotey posed a thoughtful question about what advice Rev. Dr Prempeh would give to young girls who feel overwhelmed by life’s circumstances, those who feel that life is simply “happening to them” without much control over the outcome.

In response, Rev. Dr Prempeh emphasised the importance of resilience and a mindset that refuses to be defeated by setbacks. She explained that life inevitably brings challenges, but individuals must choose how they respond to them.

Using a vivid metaphor, she encouraged young people to turn adversity into opportunity.

“When people throw lemons at you, make lemonade. When they throw rotten tomatoes at you, make puree,” she said, stressing that she personally refuses to dwell in negativity or mediocrity.

Rev. Dr Prempeh highlighted the importance of perseverance, referencing the biblical idea that a strong individual may fall but always rises again. According to her, difficulties are not unique to any one person and many others have overcome similar obstacles before.

She advised young people to seek guidance and support from those who have experience and wisdom rather than trying to navigate life’s struggles alone.

However, she also addressed what she described as a growing culture of dependency. Rev. Dr Prempeh noted that many people today equate support solely with financial assistance, often overlooking the value of mentorship, counselling and opportunities.

“People come to you with their problems and if you don’t put money in their hands, they think you are wasting their time,” she observed.

Drawing on the well-known proverb about teaching a person to fish, she explained that empowering people with skills and opportunities is more sustainable than simply giving them money. While acknowledging that some situations require immediate financial help such as medical emergencies, she warned against creating long-term dependency.

Rev. Dr Prempeh shared her experiences as someone who runs a recruitment firm, revealing that many job opportunities are available but are often rejected or poorly handled by those seeking work.

According to her, some applicants fail to show up on their first day of work or struggle with basic workplace discipline, such as putting away their phones and focusing on their responsibilities.

She believes this attitude reflects a misunderstanding about the nature of success and hard work.

“Life doesn’t come like that,” she said, explaining that achievement requires commitment and effort.

Closing her remarks, Rev. Dr Prempeh summarised the core principles she teaches her own children: determination, discipline, diligence and decision-making, values she believes are essential for anyone hoping to succeed despite life’s challenges.

The conversation set a reflective tone for the premiere episode of WOMAN, positioning the show as a platform for meaningful discussions around personal growth, resilience and the realities shaping modern womanhood.