Prominent businessman and Chancellor of Cape Coast University, Sir Sam Jonah, says it is high time women are given the recognition they deserve in a so-called man’s world.

At the Morgan State University graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 18, he delivered a moving speech under the headline "Championing Women for Progress and Parity," urging the new graduates to actively support and elevate women in every sphere of life.

Sam Jonah began by sharing the attributes of his greatest hero, his mother, Beatrice Jonah, who exemplified integrity, generosity, and compassion.

"Despite modest means, this person’s efforts to feed the poor and needy in our community underscored a profound lesson: We thrive by supporting one another," he said.

He highlighted how his mother's life in a mining town taught him the values of kindness, moderation, selflessness, and honest labour.

Sam Jonah emphasised that heroism is not exclusive to men and praised the crucial roles women have played in his life and society.

"It seems to me that our mothers, wives, and sisters, also real heroes, do not get the recognition they deserve," he noted.

Highlighting historical and contemporary female figures, Sam Jonah revered the Asante Queen mother Yaa Asantewaa, Winnie Mandela, and modern leaders such as Vice President Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and corporate leaders like Indra Nooyi and Mary Barra.

These women, he noted, have demonstrated exceptional leadership and have made significant contributions to their nations and industries.

"Women have proven their mettle in the corporate world as well, with leaders like your own highly-respected Morgan State University alumna, Valerie Thomas the NASA Scientist," Jonah stated, adding that despite their achievements, only a handful of nations in 2024 are led by women.

This disparity, he argued, underscores the continued need for gender parity in corporate and political leadership.

Sam Jonah stressed that the accomplishments of industrious and courageous women are not just victories for the female gender but for the organisations and nations they lead.

"The journey is far from complete. Women, especially those from minority backgrounds, still face significant barriers in higher education and industry that must be dismantled to benefit all humanity," he said.

Sam Jonah quoted the famous Dr Kwegyir Aggrey, saying that, "If you educate a man, you educate an individual; if you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation."

He urged the dismantling of systemic and institutional barriers to create environments where women's contributions are recognized and celebrated.

In his call to action, Sam Jonah inspired the Class of 2024 to be agents of change.

"Let the story of every woman who has led, from the humblest villages to the grandest nations, inspire you to be agents of change in an evolving world where you actively support and elevate women in every sphere, from the grassroots to global leadership," he concluded.