Businessman Paul Afoko has reminded young Ghanaians that national impact is not measured by political titles or public positions, but by the courage to shape history rather than allow history to shape them.
Delivering his lecture during the fifth Dialogue Public Lecture at the Ama Ata Aidoo Centre for Creative Writing at the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) on November 21, 2025, Afoko stressed that every citizen, not just presidents, ministers or MPs, has the capacity to influence Ghana’s future.
He cited teachers, journalists and ordinary citizens as examples of people who make meaningful contributions through intentional actions guided by integrity and compassion.
Afoko went on to outline practical strategies for ethical leadership, urging the youth to develop an “informed voice” by reading widely and understanding national issues. Knowledge, he said, strengthens courage and enables responsible advocacy.
The second strategy, he emphasised, is to separate partisanship from patriotism.
“Your love for country must be greater than loyalty to any political party,” he said, warning that leaders who cannot make this distinction often weaponise fragility and use power to intimidate rather than inspire.
He encouraged the youth to speak respectfully but boldly, describing it as a patriotic obligation rather than defiance.
Afoko’s third point focused on credibility. Without consistency in one’s character and actions, he noted, no leader can earn public trust. He advised young people to use their voices responsibly, to build, not destroy; to critique to improve, not to insult.
“If the thunder of your voice obscures the message, then the message is lost,” he cautioned.
His fourth and fifth strategies urged the youth to confront their personal issues before taking on national challenges, and to guard their values against divisive politics such as tribalism, which, he said, shrinks national peace and weakens collective progress.
He reminded the audience that opportunities, comfort, safety and peace may sometimes be the cost of speaking up, but silence ultimately harms the nation more.
“Cowardice costs the soul of the nation,” he warned. “A nation that does not speak its truth slowly loses its soul.”
Afoko encouraged the youth to see themselves as future scriptwriters of Ghana’s destiny, the next generation of political thinkers, leaders and opinion shapers.
“Will you be courageous enough to lead the change?” he asked. “Courage opens the door for learning and unlearning, which is what builds nations.”
