By Dr. Mrs. Loretta Abena Sarpong PhD, DTM, ACCE, CIMC, PMP/ Fellow – Women In Finance Network (WIFIN)
My Journey began in November 2025.
As a proud Toastmaster, I had the privilege of helping to establish the PMI Toastmasters Club. (If you have never heard of Toastmasters, ask me about it—and better still, join the community!) Through that experience, I interacted closely with members of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and was immediately impressed by their professionalism, structure, and commitment to excellence. I quietly told myself, “One day, I will be part of this.”
Little did I know that this simple thought would lead me on one of the most challenging and rewarding professional journeys of my life.
My curiosity eventually led me to Professor Tony of Agile Pro Consult. I attended an introductory session in December 2025, and before long, I had made the necessary payments and committed myself to the PMP certification journey. The preparatory classes officially began on 7th February 2026 and were scheduled to run for ten intensive weeks.
What an experience it turned out to be!
Professor Tony is simply one of those rare individuals who can transform a difficult learning experience into an enjoyable adventure. His energy was infectious, his sense of humor was refreshing, and his passion for teaching was evident in every session. Beyond the technical knowledge, he created a learning environment filled with camaraderie and encouragement.
Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. quickly became something I genuinely looked forward to. Every week brought new lessons, new insights, and new opportunities to challenge ourselves.
In hindsight, I probably should have enrolled in the physical class sessions. Not only would I have enjoyed face-to-face interactions, but I would also have benefited from the famous Agile Pro hospitality—the Valentine’s Day chocolates, the Waakye gatherings, and all the extra moments that make learning memorable. Agile Pro Consult truly understands that professional development should be both impactful and enjoyable.
Before we knew it, the ten weeks had flown by.
Suddenly, the classes were over, and the reality of the PMP examination stood directly before us. The comfort of weekly lessons was disappearing, and we were about to become “ex-students.”
Now, I must confess something.
I am a little jealous when it comes to great mentors. Since I did not want Professor Tony’s attention to move completely to the next batch of students, I decided to schedule my examination early. My thinking was simple: write quickly, pass quickly, celebrate quickly.
So, on 5th May 2026, I sat for the examination.
Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan. I failed.
The disappointment was real.
For a brief moment, I questioned everything. Why was I doing this? Did I really need this certification? Was all the effort worth it?
Like many people who experience setbacks, I entertained thoughts of giving up. Yet somewhere deep inside, I knew that one failed attempt could not be the end of my story.
After all, one of the principles we often discuss in Agile environments is the idea of failing fast so that we can learn fast.
Two days later, something happened that completely changed my mindset.
Professor Tony shared the examination result of one of our classmates, Thelma Ayisi, on our WhatsApp platform.
The result read: PASS – Above Target.
At that moment, something stirred within me.
To borrow from the biblical story of Elizabeth, whose baby leaped within her when Mary greeted her, I felt a sudden leap of hope and determination in my spirit. Instead of dwelling on my disappointment, I decided to reach out to Thelma and ask a simple question:
“How did you do it?”
That single message became one of the best decisions I made throughout the entire PMP journey.
Thelma turned out to be an extraordinary woman. She was generous with her time, selfless with her knowledge, and unwavering in her support. She became my accountability partner, checking on me regularly, encouraging me daily, sharing valuable insights, and even giving me her printed study materials.
Whenever my confidence wavered, she reminded me that success was still possible.
Her support was one of the defining factors in my eventual success, and I will always remain grateful.
At the same time, Professor Tony continued to check in periodically. He encouraged me, challenged me, and consistently reminded me that I was capable of succeeding. As always, his encouragement often came wrapped in wisdom, humor, and biblical quotations that kept my spirits high.
Armed with renewed determination, I decided to change my approach.
I began waking up before dawn to study. I spent more time understanding concepts instead of merely memorizing information. I completed more than fifty simulation questions and carefully analyzed my mistakes.
Most importantly, I made one major adjustment.
“I decided that my second examination attempt would be written at a testing center rather than from home.”
Why?
Because during my first online examination experience, a significant portion of my patience was consumed by an interaction with an online proctor.
At one point, I was asked to locate and display my air-conditioning remote control. What followed felt like an endless exercise in rotating cameras, adjusting angles, and answering questions about an object that had absolutely nothing to do with project management.
To this day, I still have one unanswered question:
“What exactly does an air-conditioning remote have to do with cheating on a PMP examination?”
If anyone has the answer, please let me know! 🤣
Humor aside, the experience distracted me, frustrated me, and certainly did not help my concentration.
This time, I eliminated every possible distraction.
Exactly one month after my first attempt— 5/5 – 5/6/2026, I sat for the examination again.
This time, the result was different. PASS!
The joy was indescribable.
The PMP journey taught me something profound. Unlike many examinations that reward memorization, PMP demands understanding. It requires you to think critically, apply principles practically, and make decisions based on real-world scenarios.
The lessons extend far beyond project management. They apply to leadership, teamwork, communication, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and even everyday life.
Looking back, I realize that the certification itself is only part of the reward. The friendships, mentorship, discipline, resilience, and personal growth gained along the way are equally valuable.
This journey has also inspired something new within me. The experiences, lessons, and stories from this process are giving birth to my first book. The writing has already begun, and I look forward to sharing it with the world soon.
To all my classmates, study partners, and our incredible stakeholder group, I say a heartfelt Ayekoo ! Thank you for your support, encouragement, and shared experiences.
And to those still pursuing their PMP certification, my message is simple:
Plan. Prepare. Pray. Persevere. You are capable of more than you think.
Thank you to Professor Tony and the entire Agile Pro Consult team for making this journey possible and memorable.
Today, I am proud to say: I am officially a Project Management Professional (PMP).Project Management
Mrs. Loretta Abena Sarpong PhD, DTM, ACCE, CIMC, PMP — and counting.
Above all, I give glory to God.
“This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.” 🙏
About the Author (Dr. Mrs Loretta Abena Sarpong)
Dr. Mrs Loretta Abena Sarpong is an ardent and committed advocate of women’s development.
Loretta holds a Ph.D. in Strategic Management, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration- Strategic Management option, and a BSc. Degree in Planning, Development Policy Option from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
She is also a Chartered Economist, Administrator and a Management Consultant, and currently a Project Management Professional (PMP).
Loretta has been with the financial industry for 2 decades in Branch Business leadership positions, she has in-depth experience in sales, marketing, and client portfolio management as well as in developing young talents.
