Leadership Alone is Not Enough – Justice Barima Nana Yaw Kodie Oppong Urges Graduates to Embrace Integrity, Innovation, and Change
Justice Barima Nana Yaw Kodie Oppong has delivered a rousing call to action to the graduating class of Accra Metropolitan University, urging them to go beyond leadership and become agents of change through integrity, innovation, and responsible use of technology.
Speaking as the keynote guest at the university’s graduation ceremony, Justice
Barima Nana Yaw Kodie Oppong challenged the students not to merely seek titles or positions of power, but to become problem solvers in their communities. “Leadership alone is not enough,” he stressed. “The world is looking for people who embrace integrity, who innovate, and who are not afraid of change.”
He encouraged graduates to be fearless in facing the pressing issues around them. “Do not run away from problems,” he said. “Be the generation that solves them. Ghana and the world need change-makers, not spectators.”
Justice Barima Nana Yaw Kodie Oppong also spoke passionately about values that protect and sustain the environment, citing the destructive impact of illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. “We are witnessing the devastation of our rivers, lands, and future due to greed and disregard for the law. As graduates, your values must align with protecting, not plundering, our environment.”
A strong advocate for the ethical use of technology, he warned the audience about the rising cases of mobile money (MoMo) fraud and the dangers of deepfake technology, an increasingly troubling development made possible by Artificial Intelligence. “Technology must be used to uplift society, not deceive it,” he cautioned. “As educated individuals, you must lead by example. Never use your knowledge for dishonest or illegal means.”
Justice Barima Nana Yaw Kodie Oppong’s address also included a stirring appeal to the graduates to be innovators. “Innovation is not just for tech entrepreneurs,” he said. “Whatever field you are entering, look for new and better ways to improve lives.”
The graduation ceremony also honoured notable national figures, including Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who received an honorary Doctor of Law degree, and Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, who was awarded a Doctor of Science degree for her contributions to engineering and telecommunications.
The event marked a significant milestone in the lives of the graduates, but also served as a clarion call to carry their education into the real world with purpose, responsibility, and a spirit of transformation.
