African business statesman Sir Sam Jonah used his acceptance speech at the Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Africa Awards 2025 to issue a charge to African leaders.

He emphasised that true leadership must be defined by "service" and the dedicated effort to create opportunities for the next generation to excel.

Sir Sam Jonah, who was honoured with the prestigious Ultimate Man of the Year Award on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), stressed that titles and grandeur pale in comparison to the fundamental responsibility of mentorship and pathfinding.

Redefining Leadership: Service Over Status

Addressing an audience of influential African leaders, innovators, and young achievers, the former CEO of Ashanti Goldfields Corporation (AGC) redefined the essence of effective leadership in the 21st century.

“Leadership, ladies and gentlemen, through leadership, it's not about grandeur, it's not about titles. It is about service. It's about responsibility.”

He highlighted the critical duty of the current generation of leaders to focus less on personal accumulation and more on facilitating the success of those who follow.

READ ALSO: Sir Sam Jonah crowned prestigious Ultimate Man of the Year Award at EMY Africa 2025

This emphasis on succession planning and mentorship pathways is vital for a continent where the median age is approximately 19.8 years, demanding urgent attention to youth aspirations.

“It's about creating pathways so that the next generation can run faster, soar higher, and dream bigger than we could ever do.”

The Challenge of Nurturing Talent

While celebrating his own journey, which he attributed to a supportive network, Sir Sam Jonah delivered a critique of Africa's systemic failure to capitalise on its human capital.

“I am the beneficiary of mentors who expanded my ambition, colleagues who matched my commitment and ordinary, hard-working Ghanaians whose toil forms the bedrock of every enterprise I've been privileged to lead,” he said.

“Yet I remain convinced of one thing: Africa doesn't lack talent. What we sometimes lack is the courage to recognise that talent early and the system to nurture that talent consistently.”

This observation underscores the need for institutional reforms in education, entrepreneurship, and policy-making to ensure that Ghana and Africa create structured pipelines that transition youthful talent into influential leadership roles.

Excellence and Integrity: The Mandate for Youth

Acknowledging that African institutions and values are currently being "tested", Sir Sam Jonah concluded with a direct and inspirational mandate for the young people listening to prioritise discipline and character.

“If my journey has taught me anything at all, it is that excellence is not an episode. Excellence is a habit. Excellence is a discipline. It is a standard we must insist upon daily, even when no one is watching...”

He warned against waiting for ideal circumstances, noting that "Greatness is rarely born in comfort," and urged them to start with a non-negotiable principle:

“If you have an idea, start. If you have a dream, protect it, and if you want to lead, lead first with integrity. For in a world overflowing with noise, it is character that speaks the loudest.”

Sir Sam Jonah’s speech served as both a reflection on a distinguished career and a powerful blueprint for African leaders committed to securing a prosperous future for the continent's dynamic youth.

READ ALSO: Full list of winners at the EMY Africa Awards 2025