Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has urged Ghanaian students to embrace leadership rooted in values, warning that ambition without moral grounding poses a greater threat than lack of ambition.
Speaking at the 2026 PENSA Ghana Gospel and Power Conference, she said leadership development begins long before formal titles are acquired.
“Leadership is taking shape in how you handle group work, who you include or exclude, and how you use influence,” she said.
She added that fairness and empathy must guide even small responsibilities. “When collecting dues or managing responsibilities, prioritize the interests of all, especially the vulnerable.”
The Vice President rejected the idea that ambition is inherently harmful, describing it instead as a national necessity.
“Ambition itself is not the danger. Ghana needs ambitious, capable young people. The danger lies in ambition disconnected from values,” she stated.
She encouraged students to apply their knowledge practically, urging them to transform ideas into enterprises and research into solutions. According to her, resilience is not accidental but cultivated. She stressed that it comes “from disciplined action and purposeful learning.”
.“Leadership does not require you to trade your beliefs for acceptance or excellence for conformity. Ghana requires your full intellect, judgment, and resolve,” she said.
“The Ghana we all desire will not assemble itself. It will be built patiently, diligently, and responsibly. My prayer is that your contributions to this effort will be celebrated,” she concluded.
