Renowned business leader and statesman Sir Sam Jonah has called on African executives to embrace visionary leadership and robust corporate governance to build sustainable enterprises capable of thriving in an increasingly complex global economy.
Speaking at the Gold Coast Leadership Conversation 2025 in Accra, Jonah emphasized that enduring institutions require more than profit motives—they demand ethical stewardship, long-term planning, and accountability.
“Sustainable growth is not merely about returns on investment nor shareholder value,” Jonah said in his keynote address. “It involves creating institutions that endure beyond us, that serve communities, that inspire trust, and that shape nations.”
His remarks underscored the need for African businesses to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into their strategies while resisting short-term pressures that undermine longevity.
Leadership in a Complex World
Mr. Jonah, who has chaired multinational firms including Ashanti Goldfields and Helios Towers, argued that modern leaders must navigate geopolitical shifts, cultural nuances, and environmental crises.
“A leader must be conscientious, thoughtful, and decent—always mindful that trust is earned,” he said.
Drawing from his own career, he highlighted adaptability as a critical trait, recalling how cultural intelligence shaped his management approach across three continents.
He cited Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, as an exemplar of balancing immediate financial demands with transformative vision. Despite Wall Street skepticism, Nooyi pivoted the company toward healthier products and sustainability—a move that ultimately fortified PepsiCo’s market position.
“Her ability to balance short-term pressures with long-term vision has been a lesson to all of us,” Mr. Jonah said.
The Governance Imperative
Weak corporate governance, Mr. Jonah warned, has doomed even promising African enterprises. He contrasted Amazon’s disciplined growth under Jeff Bezos with WeWork’s collapse under Adam Neumann, attributing the latter’s failure to a lack of oversight.
“Good governance ensures transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making—all of which are critical if you want to grow as a business,” he said.
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, offered another case study. Steering GM through bankruptcy and a recall scandal, Barra prioritized transparency, ultimately repositioning the automaker as an electric vehicle leader. “Corporate governance demands a balance between profit and ethical leadership,” Mr. Jonah noted.
Sustainability as Competitive Advantage
With global investors increasingly prioritizing ESG metrics, Jonah urged African businesses to view sustainability as an opportunity rather than a compliance burden. Renewable energy investments, community engagement, and ethical supply chains, he argued, can reduce costs and enhance social license to operate.
“Growth and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are increasingly interdependent,” he said.
He pointed to Ghana’s Engineers and Planners, founded by Ibrahim Mahama, as a local example. The firm has diversified into mine ownership while maintaining core operations—a strategy Mr. Jonah praised for blending short-term agility with long-term resilience.
A Call to Action
Echoing Jonah’s urgency, University of Gold Coast Chancellor Bishop Dr. Gideon Titi-Ofei condemned political interference in business as a barrier to progress.
“How many organizations have failed not because they were unprofitable, but because they were politically hijacked?” he asked. “Businesses should be run by professionals, not politicians.”
Both speakers stressed that Africa’s economic rise hinges on leaders who prioritize integrity over expediency. “Leadership is not about what you get,” Bishop Titi-Ofei said. “It is about what you build.”
Mr. Jonah closed with a challenge: “Faced with a choice of poisoning water sources for profit or safeguarding them for future generations, what would you do? Leaders eat last.”
His message was clear—Africa’s future depends on executives who marry ambition with accountability.
