In a thought-provoking address, renowned Ghanaian business titan Sir Sam Jonah has delivered a crucial message to Ghanaian youth: true leadership demands a nuanced embrace of both failure and success, always anchored in humility.
In his speech at the Academic City University’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 7, 2025, the Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, an equity fund based in Johannesburg, South Africa, argued that the much-feared “F word”—failure—is not an antithesis to achievement but often its most direct route.
“There’s something we don’t talk about enough: The F word: Failure,” Sir Sam began, immediately capturing the audience’s attention.
The Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and former Executive Chairman of Ashanti Goldfields Company quickly reassured aspiring leaders that “failure is part of the journey. Every leader, visionary or star you admire has stumbled. Every company you see thriving has had challenges; even moments of near-collapse.”
READ ALSO: “I was a labourer in the Obuasi mines” – Sir Sam Jonah shares humble beginning
Sir Sam passionately redefined failure, asserting, “Failure is not the opposite of success. It is often the path to it.”
To underscore this point, he drew upon iconic figures whose journeys were punctuated by significant setbacks:
- He quoted basketball legend Michael Jordan, who famously said, “I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Indeed, Jordan was famously cut from his high school varsity team and missed over 9,000 shots in his NBA career, yet he went on to win 6 NBA championships and become one of the greatest athletes in history.
- Sir Sam also invoked the wisdom of former Prime Minister of the UK, Winston Churchill, stating, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” Churchill himself experienced numerous political defeats and was even blamed for the disastrous Gallipoli Campaign during World War I, yet he ultimately led Britain through its darkest hours as Prime Minister during World War II.
- Other global figures like Steve Jobs, famously fired from Apple before his triumphant return, and J.K. Rowling, whose “Harry Potter” manuscript was rejected by 12 publishers before becoming a global phenomenon, exemplify this very principle.
Transitioning to the flip side of the coin, Sir Sam advised the graduates on how to navigate triumph. “When you do succeed — as many of you surely will — wear your success lightly,” he urged.
He issued a stern warning against the perils of arrogance and disconnection that often accompany success.
“Do not become arrogant. Do not look down on others who may have worked even harder than you. Never let success disconnect you from others. Stay grounded. Stay connected.”
He concluded his address with a powerful call to resilience and self-awareness:
“What matters is not whether you fall — but whether you pick yourself up, dust yourself down. Rise again; this time with insight; with resilience; with humility.”
Sir Sam’s message left no doubt that true leadership is forged not just in moments of victory but in the crucible of challenge and the unwavering commitment to one’s core values.
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