The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has challenged Ghanaian youth to reject corruption, environmental destruction, and unethical leadership as the country approaches 70 years of independence.

Delivering a keynote address at the Ghana Business Leaders Conclave hosted by the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Otumfuo urged students and young professionals to pursue success grounded in ethics, responsibility, and service.

“To the students gathered here, I say that you are not merely preparing for employment, you are preparing for responsibility,” he said, reminding them that future leadership positions would require strong moral character alongside academic qualifications.

“When that day comes, Ghana will not ask only what degree you obtained, but Ghana will ask what kind of person you became.”

The Asantehene warned against celebrating wealth and power without examining the means through which they were acquired.

“Do not admire wealth without asking how it was made. Do not admire power without asking how it was used. Do not admire success without asking who suffered for it,” he said.

He further challenged the younger generation to redefine greatness beyond material possessions like cars, houses, titles, and public applause, and instead measure it by honesty, service, discipline, and the courage to do right.

“Your generation must refuse to normalize corruption. You must refuse to celebrate environmental destruction. You must refuse to accept that politics must always divide us,” he declared.

He encouraged young Africans to embrace modernity while remaining rooted in ethical and cultural values, advising them to be "modern, but rooted, ambitious, but ethical, confident, but humble, successful and then responsible."

Otumfuo concluded by stating that Ghana’s next chapter must be driven by ethical builders and innovators rather than mere political rhetoric. “After 70 years, Ghana must be done with talkers and open to builders,” he said.