International motivational speaker, author and minister, Albert Ocran, has said that he was not always the bold public speaker who motivates people with his words. However, as he learned the art of public speaking, he has developed the skill of public speaking.
In an interview with YFM’s Rev.Erskine on the Y Leaderboard Series, he disclosed that he is naturally a shy person and never imagined that he would be “a voice people will listen to”.
Recounting his first public speaking experience, he noted that it was a disaster. “My first public speaking attempt was a total disaster. I was in nursery and I was supposed to recite a poem about the power of God. The rehearsal had gone relatively well and the high point of that poem was to pull a ‘bodua’ (Horsewhip) from my back and shake it like the ‘Okomfuo’ (Priest) and drop it on the ground and say ‘Juju becomes tasteless when the power of God comes in’. It was not easy. I was very excited because the parents will come around. But somehow when the crowd set in, the spirit left me totally. It became a disaster and I vowed I will never speak in public. I was a very shy person at that time probably even stammering a little, struggling with some words maybe also influenced by my own experiences”.
In his opinion, everything in this life is “learnable” and as such people must move out of their comfort zone to learn new things.
Commenting on how he has become one of the greatest public speakers internationally recognized, he stated, “I never thought I will be a public speaker or anything. I just wanted to live a quiet life. Development much later in life was to shape much of me but it was not something I fathomed in the least I was going to be”.
Albert Ocran is recognized for his passion for challenging people to reach their full potential and live out their God-given dreams. He serves as an Executive Pastor at ICGC Christ Temple. One of his books on public speaking is titled, ‘Speak Like A Pro: 10 Commandments of Public Speaking’.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah