{
  "id": 7280099,
  "title": "Ghana needs ethical, excellent leaders – Prof. Adow-Obeng",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/ghana-needs-ethical-excellent-leaders-prof-adow-obeng",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T08:47:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/ghana-needs-ethical-excellent-leaders-prof-adow-obeng/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's development hurdles will remain unresolved unless the nation intentionally cultivates a new generation of leaders who embody ethical behavior coupled with excellence, cautioned Professor Emmanuel Adow-Obeng, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC). He emphasized that leadership should no longer be confined to political roles, stressing that ethical leadership was vital in all societal sectors, including politics, religion, traditional institutions, business, and professional organizations.\n\nSpeaking at Palm University College's (PUC) 2026 graduation ceremony, Professor Adow-Obeng challenged the graduating class to make ethics and excellence the cornerstone of their personal and public lives. He lamented that the country's view of leadership had been severely compromised by corruption, attributing issues like insufficient hospital beds, subpar roads, underfunded schools, and limited access to basic services to unethical leadership. He questioned the consequences of such leadership, noting that the repercussions affected everyone, especially those reliant on public institutions and services.\n\nProfessor Adow-Obeng expressed concern over the reluctance of many to report wrongdoing due to fear of victimization, thereby permitting unethical practices to persist unabated. He advocated for robust institutional frameworks to encourage reporting, promote accountability, and ensure swift action against misconduct. He stressed that ethical leadership needed to be nurtured from childhood through family, educational institutions, religious bodies, and other social structures. He also endorsed strong mentoring systems to guide young professionals and leaders, urging graduates to develop the courage to uphold what is right.\n\nProfessor Adow-Obeng underscored that ethics and excellence should go hand in hand, explaining that an ethical leader lacking competence could still fail, whereas an excellent but unethical leader could pose a danger to society. He emphasized that while an ethical leader without competence could fail, an excellent but unethical leader could also become harmful. He urged the graduates to leverage their university knowledge and skills for meaningful national development rather than seeking success solely for personal gain.\n\nDr. Peter Carlos Okantey, PUC's President, also addressed the Class of 2026, urging them to uphold integrity, leadership, and excellence as they embarked on their professional journeys. He cautioned against compromising values under professional pressures and encouraged the graduates to remain resilient, adaptable, and committed to the principles imparted by the university. Dr. Okantey highlighted the \"Five Ps of Life\" – Palmer, Purpose, Perspective, Productivity, and Persistence – as the foundation for their personal and professional growth.\n\nEarlier, the Valedictorian, Dr. Alex Osei, urged his peers to uphold transparency, equity, and accountability in their respective fields, stressing that their diplomas should inspire them to challenge the status quo through integrity.",
  "summary": "Ghana’s development challenges will persist unless the country deliberately builds a generation of leaders who combine ethical conduct with excellence, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Emmanuel Adow-Obeng, has cautioned. He said leadership should no longer be viewed solely through the lens of political office, stressing that ethical leadership … The post…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana's development stalls without ethical, excellent leaders",
    "Professor Adow-Obeng urges ethical leadership in all sectors",
    "Graduates called to uphold integrity, challenge status quo"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}