More Than a First Job: How Mentorship Shaped Micheal Frimpong Manso's Career

Ask Micheal Frimpong Manso what has made a difference in his professional journey, and one thing stands out beyond technical skills, job titles, or promotions.

Mentorship.

"The heart of my tremendous growth lies the invaluable influence of mentorship," he reflects.

For Micheal, who joined the PFS Apprenticeship Program in 2020, the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals became an important part of finding his footing in the food industry.

What began as an apprenticeship at Taste Cocoa Ghana Limited would introduce him not only to the realities of food manufacturing but also to people whose knowledge, guidance, and perspectives would help shape his approach to work.

Finding His Footing in the Food Industry

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, Micheal entered the PFS Apprenticeship Program eager to put his academic knowledge into practice.

His placement at Taste Cocoa Ghana Limited provided that opportunity.

Working in a real food manufacturing environment, he gained firsthand experience in quality management and food safety while learning how to navigate the everyday demands of professional life.

He developed skills in teamwork, time management, Lean Six Sigma, and continuous improvement. He also became more confident in taking ownership of tasks and working with minimal supervision.

But beyond these practical lessons, Micheal found particular value in the professional relationships he was building.

The apprenticeship connected him with experienced professionals who could offer guidance, share their knowledge, and introduce him to different ways of approaching workplace challenges.

These connections would become one of the most meaningful aspects of his experience.

Learning Through the Eyes of Experience

One of Micheal's mentorship experiences as an apprentice was with PFS volunteer Regina Barcena, whose guidance provided an opportunity to deepen his understanding of food safety, quality, and process improvement.

For Micheal, the experience was both exciting and eye-opening.

"I have been very excited about this mentorship program. I have gained a lot of insight into food safety and quality and also process improvement," he shared.

Beyond the knowledge gained, he recognized the potential the experience held for his future.

"I strongly believe this training and mentorship I have had will propel my career development to a different dimension more than I even expected."

His reflections capture the value of having access to someone with industry experience who can help a young professional see beyond their immediate responsibilities and consider new possibilities for their career.

Micheal also participated in a separate mentorship engagement with Kate Mamoucha, which offered another opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and explore solutions.

For Kate, what stood out was Micheal's attitude toward learning.

"Michael was very open and sincere, sharing challenges and always willing to find solutions," she reflected.

She also described the experience as "a good mentorship relationship with a person willing to learn and grow."

Her observations reveal another important side of mentorship: while access to experienced professionals creates opportunities for learning, the willingness to engage openly and act on guidance is equally important.

As Kate noted, successful mentorship requires mentees to approach conversations with clarity and a willingness to learn, while both parties remain flexible and understanding of the challenges each may face.

In Micheal's case, that openness to learning became a defining part of his mentorship experience.

Taking the Lessons Into the Workplace

Micheal's apprenticeship eventually came to an end, but his journey at Taste Cocoa Ghana Limited was only beginning.

He was retained by the company and went on to spend more than four years there, taking on roles that required increasing responsibility, strategic thinking, problem-solving, and team leadership.

His final role at Taste Cocoa was Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) Manager, where he supported the implementation of environmental and social frameworks and promoted the safety and wellbeing of employees and stakeholders.

Today, Micheal serves as an EHS Supervisor at Wilmar Africa Limited, continuing to build on the professional experience he has gained over the years.

While his career progression reflects his growing responsibilities, Micheal's own reflections point to something beyond job titles.

He credits the apprenticeship and the mentorship opportunities it provided with helping him navigate the challenges of professional life, continually strengthen his abilities, and contribute meaningfully to the organizations he has worked with.

For him, the value of mentorship was not limited to learning technical concepts. It also lay in gaining perspectives and building professional relationships that helped him approach his career with greater confidence.

The Lasting Value of Mentorship

Micheal's experience offers a reminder that mentorship is not simply about one person sharing knowledge with another.

It is also about creating space for honest conversations, asking questions, working through challenges, and being open to different perspectives.

Through his engagements with Regina Barcena and Kate Mamoucha, Micheal experienced different dimensions of that exchange, from strengthening his technical understanding to engaging in conversations that encouraged openness and problem-solving.

His story also highlights the important role that PFS volunteers play in supporting emerging talent in Africa's food industry.

By sharing their time, expertise, and professional experiences, volunteers create opportunities for young professionals to learn from people they might not otherwise have access to.

And as Micheal's journey demonstrates, the value of those connections can extend well beyond an apprenticeship placement.

From a young Biochemistry graduate entering the food industry to an experienced professional working in environmental, health, and safety, Micheal has continued to build his career on a foundation of learning, experience, and meaningful professional relationships.

His story reminds us that while opportunities can open doors, the people who guide us along the way can leave an impact that lasts long after we walk through them.