The Asantehene, Osei Tutu II, has challenged Ghanaian youth to reject corruption, environmental destruction and unethical wealth accumulation as they prepare to take up leadership roles in society.

Addressing students and young professionals at the Ghana Business Leaders Conclave organised by the University of Professional Studies Accra in Accra, the Asantehene stressed the importance of integrity, humility and responsibility in leadership.

He cautioned young people against admiring wealth, power and success without questioning how 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 stated.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged the youth to refuse to normalise corruption and environmental degradation, stressing that Ghana’s future depended on principled and ethical leadership.

“Your generation must refuse to normalise corruption. You must refuse to celebrate environmental destruction,” he said.

The Asantehene further advised students not to measure greatness solely by material possessions and public recognition.

“Do not measure greatness only by cars, houses, titles and public applause. Measure greatness also by honesty, service, discipline and the courage to do right when wrongdoing is profitable,” he added.

He encouraged the youth to combine ambition with ethical conduct while remaining grounded in Ghanaian values and traditions.

“You must be modern, but rooted, ambitious, but ethical, confident, but humble, successful and yet responsible,” he noted.

According to the Asantehene, Ghana needs a new generation of leaders capable of building businesses, creating jobs, protecting the environment and serving the nation faithfully.

He warned that prosperity achieved without ethics could not be sustained.

“Business without integrity is dangerous, leadership without humility is arrogance and prosperity without ethics is fragile,” he stressed.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II further urged the youth to become agents of transformation and contribute meaningfully to national development.

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

In his welcome address, Chancellor of UPSA, K.K. Sarpong, emphasised the importance of integrity and principled leadership in sustaining businesses and institutions.

“Nations are built on the integrity of their institutions, and institutions are sustained by the integrity of their leaders,” Dr. Sarpong stated.

He described the theme of the conclave, “Leading with Integrity: Negotiation, Mediation and Ethical Governance for Business Sustainability,” as timely and relevant.

Dr. Sarpong also praised the leadership style of the Asantehene, describing his stewardship as a model of principled negotiation, mediation and progressive governance.

Board Chairman of GCB Bank, Joshua Alabi, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting businesses, SMEs and institutions through innovation and digital transformation initiatives.

He noted that partnerships between academia and corporate institutions were critical in developing ethical and globally competitive industries.

Prof. Alabi further pledged the bank’s continued support for initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, innovation and national development.