Renowned Ghanaian statesman and business leader, Sir Sam Jonah has called for a new generation of leaders rooted in character, asserting that integrity, compassion, and discipline are the most essential traits for future-ready leadership in nation-building.
Speaking at the 2025 commencement ceremony of Academic City University on Saturday, June 7, Sir Sam Jonah-who is also the Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, an equity fund based in Johannesburg-emphasised that character must stand above academic credentials, social connections, or financial success. "What does the future need most from our leaders?" he asked the graduates. "My answer, in one word, is: Character." The Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) elaborated that degrees, connections, and money can all be valuable-but without character, they risk becoming tools of corruption, greed, and arrogance. "Degrees without character are just paper," he warned, adding "connections without character can lead to corruption.
Money without character only feeds selfishness and abuse." Defining character as "the sum of your values and ethics that guide your decisions and actions," Sir Sam underscored its importance in both personal and public life, warning that graduates will inevitably face moments where their integrity is tested. "There will be temptations to compromise, to cut corners, to bend the truth, to serve yourself rather than your country," he cautioned.
Drawing on decades of experience in corporate leadership and public life, Sir Sam Jonah stressed that character is the one asset that retains its worth across time and circumstances. "Character is the currency that never loses its value," he declared. "When you are known for honesty, fairness, and keeping your word, people will follow you, trust you, and invest in you." In regions like Africa, where systemic corruption is often cited as a barrier to sustainable development, Sam Jonah's message carries significant weight.
