Build strong character – Sam Jonah tells youth

A business executive and statesman, Sir Dr Sam Jonah, has urged young people to build strong character, which he describes as the “most enduring trait of any true leader”.

Dr Jonah said without character, which embodied integrity, compassion and discipline, among others, degrees would remain mere documents from an educational institution and connections would corrupt or be corrupted by them.

Speaking to students of Academic City University, Sir Sam added that money was the reward for honest mental and physical investment, “but without character it will make you selfish, greedy, plunderous and arrogant”.

“Character is the sum of your values and ethics that guide your decisions and actions,” he said.

Drawing from his rich experience as a business executive, investor and statesman, Dr Jonah told them that the future would test their integrity.

“You will face the temptation to compromise — to cut corners, to bend truth, to lie through gritted teeth; to serve self rather than the country.

I say this with all the weight of experience of my social and corporate journey: 

“Character is the currency that never loses its value.

When you are known for honesty, for fairness, for keeping your word — people will follow you, trust you and invest in you,” Sir Sam said in a keynote address on the theme, “Future Ready Leadership for Nation Building” at the graduation ceremony of the university last Saturday at Haatso, near Accra.

Commencement ceremony

The event marked the climax of Academic City’s first-ever commencement ceremony following the award of its Presidential Charter in December 2024, making it one of Ghana’s youngest tertiary institutions to reach this milestone.

Also present at the ceremony was a business executive and founder of the university, Dr Dev Varyani, the Safohene of the Breman Traditional Area and President of Millersville University in the United States, Professor Daniel Wubah, also known by his stool name Nana Ofosu Peko III, the President of Academic City University, Prof. Fred McBagonluri, the Board Chairman of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, Prof. Mahama Duwiejua, members of the university board, faculty, parents, guardians, families and friends of the graduates.

Pursue purpose

Dr Jonah advised university graduates to pursue their purpose over titles as they entered the world of work.

He said identifying their purpose and working towards them would help them live a more meaningful and fulfilling life in any given leadership position.

“Don’t chase titles. Titles can be given and taken. But purpose – that is yours alone.

Let every decision, every job, every risk you take be anchored in that purpose because that is what will give your leadership meaning,” he stated.

Dr Jonah, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, began his career in 1969 at the Obuasi Gold Mine and subsequently became the Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited, transforming it from a single mine into a multinational company.

He recounted his formative years working in the mine as a labourer, and explained that discovering his purpose kept him motivated, positive-minded and engaged.

“That early experience taught me something invaluable — that leadership is not a position. It is a disposition. A way of thinking, acting and serving with clarity and conviction; that every choice I made kept me on track for my purpose or drew me away from it,” Sir Sam stated. 

Focus

Dr Jonah added that focusing on his purpose made him driven and more productive than ever before.

“I wasn’t just working to make a living; I was serving to uplift and enrich lives. I bore the weight of responsibility; down times were greatly reduced,” he said.

“All my tasks and efforts had clarity.

They fit in with the purpose; and if they did not, they were replaced by more constructive endeavours,” Sir Sam added, urging young people to take their time to understand their purpose and work towards them.

He further advised the students to be intentional about making a good impression and building good relationships.

Dr Jonah explained that some of the most transformative companies of the current generation, such as Facebook, Microsoft, Google, YouTube, AirBnB, among others, were founded by college friends.

“The lesson is simple: Never underestimate the people around you. Your classmate today can be your co-founder tomorrow. Your roommate can be your investor. Your study partners can offer you a seat at their boardroom table in the near future,” he said. 

STEM

Dr Jonah also emphasised the crucial role of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in national transformation, saying no nation had achieved prosperity without a strong foundation in those fields.

He enumerated examples from countries such as China and India which had made significant strides by prioritising STEM education.

In contrast, he said sub-Saharan Africa produced less than 10 per cent of its graduates in STEM in spite of having a rapidly growing youthful population.

Reflecting on Ghana’s history, Dr Jonah recalled how President Kwame Nkrumah made STEM a national priority at the dawn of independence, providing financial support and incentives for students pursuing courses in those fields.

However, he said that focus had waned over time, adding that to build a modern Africa, it was imperative to prioritise STEM education.

Sir Sam called for financial incentives, world-class laboratories and recognition of STEM teachers, emphasising that graduates in those fields must be central to national development planning.

He challenged graduates to redefine Africa’s future by using their brainpower — their code, their designs, their prototypes, their innovations to define Africa’s destiny.

Academic City University is a purely STEM institution, and Dr Jonah urged the Class of 2025 to embrace their role as engineers of the continent’s renewal and move beyond reliance on natural resources to a focus on technological innovation and knowledge.

Service

Sir Jonah also called on young people to desire to serve as followers first before becoming leaders, saying “The world is full of people seeking money, power and fame. Far fewer  are keen to offer service yet the greatest leadership comes from those who first serve with humility.

“I would not have become the President of AngloGold Ashanti had I not first learned to listen, to empathise, and to understand the challenges of others,” Mr Jonah said. 

Resilient, persistent

For his part, the President of the university, Prof. McBagonluri, called on the graduates to be resilient and persistent.

“Resilience will carry you through people and systems that may challenge your worth.

Work hard.

Learn constantly.

Be intentional. Retreat when you must, but come back stronger.

Let every setback be a setup for your next leap,” he said.

The founder of the university, Dev Varyani, impressed on the students to stay connected with the school’s alumni network, share their achievements and be proud ambassadors of the institution. 

Graduation

In all, 122 students graduated from the university, which is known for its emphasis on premium Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) and entrepreneurial programmes geared towards developing the country’s next generation of ethical and innovative leaders.

Joseph Ibiduma Apiriala-Atedoghu, who graduated with a CGPA 3.94, won the overall best student award. 

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.