A former Chief Executive of AngloGold Ashanti, Sir Sam Jonah, has urged the youth in Africa to think global and prioritize sustainability.

Addressing students, of the Gold Coast University at the Gold Coast University Leadership Conversation, Sir Jonah emphasized the need for African leaders to be mindful of happenings around the world and look beyond their comfort environments.

He stressed the need for leaders to uphold high ethical and corporate governance standards.

“Be minded that the world doesn't just need more leaders, indeed, it needs leaders who are willing to think globally, ethically and prioritize sustainability. You are much more than future executives. You are the leaders of tomorrow.”

“You are the new visionaries and architectures of new paradigms starting today. The Honor lies on you to make leadership on our continent ethical, purposeful, provident and responsive. This new leadership must firstly treasure integrity. It must value competence over nepotism, meritocracy and inclusion of agreed and partisan exclusion.”

He said that for the African continent to gain prominence, there will be the need for leaders to eschew corrupt practices and adopting useful technology which will support the equitable growth of the continent.

“This new leadership must reject corruption and eschew arrogance towards the citizens. It must prioritize the welfare of humanity over technology.”

Sir Jonah continued that “technology, of course, must serve humanity, not the other way around, faced with a choice of utilizing new technology to add millions in cash to the pockets of a few investors, versus displacing millions of citizens from their livelihoods and soon their homes.”

The Gold Coast Leadership Conversation is a Premier Leadership Development Series organized by the University of Gold Coast. The event seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice through interactive sessions led by distinguished global leaders.

The Leadership Conversation was on the theme, 'Pioneering Leadership: Navigating Ghana’s Economic and Business Transformation.