Ethical leadership is essential for any social innovator or student, providing a basis for making tough decisions with confidence, reflecting ideals and values as a leader, and courageously questioning the status quo. Student leaders play a crucial role in shaping their peers and influencing their communities positively.
A one-day Ethical Leadership Conference for student leaders, organized by the University of Ghana Business School under the theme “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Ethics as the Foundation of Leadership,” brought together stakeholders, academicians, and high-profile personalities to urge students to evaluate their leadership styles based on trust and values.
Addressing students as the keynote speaker, Mr. Frank Lawoe, Chief Risk Officer of Republic Bank, emphasized the imperatives of ethics in leadership, particularly in Ghana’s political and corporate spheres. He noted that many national leaders began as student leaders, managing significant budgets and making impactful decisions. He cautioned that if ethical principles are ignored in student leadership, the same individuals may carry those unethical habits into national politics, leading to corruption and poor governance.
“Students in leadership today control millions of Ghana cedis in SRC and JCR dues. If they misuse these funds without accountability, they may continue such practices when they enter politics. This is why ethical training must start early,” he explained.
Prof. Kwasi Dartey-Baah, Professor of Leadership and Director of Traditional Advancement at the University of Ghana, also stressed the importance of integrity in leadership. He said that leadership is about influence, and ethical leaders must not only speak about values but also embody them in their actions.
“Leadership is influence, and influence is not only about words but actions. Ethical leadership is about making the right decisions even when it is difficult. If you are dishonest as a student leader, you will carry that dishonesty into public office,” he warned.
Prof. Kwasi urged student leaders to evaluate their leadership styles based on respect, empathy, honesty, transparency, accountability, and fairness, making necessary changes to ensure they become responsible leaders in the future.
The former Auditor-General, Mr. Daniel Domelevo, drawing from his personal experiences, recounted the challenges he faced during his tenure as Auditor-General, highlighting the inevitable consequences of standing against corruption. He urged student leaders to set a new standard for governance in Ghana by upholding ethical values in every decision they make, starting now.
“As the next generation of political and corporate leaders, you have the responsibility to redefine leadership in Ghana. Uphold ethical values in every decision you make, and set a new standard for governance,” he concluded.
By Madjid Diallo || GhanaNewsOnline