By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, June 8, GNA- Sir Sam E. Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, says a future-ready leader must demonstrate honesty, empathy, accountability, and trustworthiness.
He said the people must find in the leaders a model of respect and reliability, fairness and consistency.
Sir Jonah was speaking at the Academic City University’s Class of 2025 graduation ceremony in Accra, where 124 students were awarded various degrees.
The graduation was on the theme: “Future-Ready Leadership for Nation Building.”
He said integrity was key but without truthfulness and transparency, no man nor woman worth their salt would consider them a valued colleague, let alone a leader.
He said the most enduring trait of any true leader was his or her character, which is the sum of values and ethics that guide a leader’s decisions and actions.
“The future will test your integrity. You will face the temptation to compromise to cut corners, to bend the truth, to lie through gritted teeth; to serve self rather than the country,” he said.
The Chancellor said character was the currency that never lost its value and when an individual was known for honesty, fairness, for keeping their word, people would follow them, trust them, and invest in them.
“Therefore, let integrity be your compass, compassion be your instinct and discipline be your shield,” he added.
Sir Jonah said Africa did not need more people with power, money, or fame but rather it needed more people with character.
He urged the students to let every decision, every job, and every risk they took be anchored in that purpose to give their leadership meaning.
“Your team, be it large or small, must trust and see you take ownership of your decisions and actions,” he said.
The Chancellor said the future-ready leader would not condone dereliction of duty nor abandon their team during difficult times.
He urged the students to stay focused, resilient, imaginative, and innovative, and lead their team to safety and prosperity.
He called on the students to be intentional about making a good impression and building good relationships.
“Take no fellowship nor meeting for granted,” he added.
Professor Fred McBagonluri, President of Academic City University, said this was the first graduating class of the University since the Presidential Charter.
He said it was not always the fastest or the loudest that survived life’s trials, but the intentional, steady, and tactically reactive.
He said the 2025 graduation was the University’s highest graduating class ever and among them were the first graduates in Artificial Intelligence.
“First undergraduates in Robotics Engineering, perhaps in the history of Sub-Saharan Africa. You are not just shakers, you are bold movers,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie