Former Chief Executive of AngloGold Ashanti, Sir Sam Jonah, has called on leaders to be more thoughtful and careful with their words, particularly in times of crisis.

The renowned businessman stressed the importance of responsible leadership, urging that leaders should always be mindful of the messages they send, as their words have a significant impact on the people they lead.

"If you are a leader, you have to be thoughtful, you have to be very careful with your words. You have to be economical with what you say because they do matter," Sir Sam Jonah stated.

He was speaking at the Gold Coast University Leadership Conversation in Accra on Saturday, March 22.

He further highlighted the negative impact of leaders who give the impression that they do not care about the challenges facing their followers.

“If you get up as a leader and give the impression that ‘oh, why should we care?’ I am sorry, you are not being responsible.”

The business magnate stressed that leaders must remain composed, even in the most challenging situations.

He pointed out that, as role models, their behaviour sets an example for others, particularly in moments of crisis.

“As a leader, be calm. When you face a crisis, be calm because people see you as a reference point and take lessons from your behaviour,” he continued.

Sir Sam Jonah urged leaders to maintain composure, even in the face of fear or panic, as their reactions can have a significant impact on those they lead.

“So sometimes, as a leader, even when you are scared or panicking, don’t show it. Because if you show it, it can demoralise everybody.”