The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), on Friday, 15 May 2026, hosted the maiden edition of the Ghana Business Leaders’ Conclave, with His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, delivering a powerful call for integrity, ethical governance and principled leadership as foundations for sustainable business and national development.
Held at the Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium (KOKA) under the theme, “Leading with Integrity: Negotiation, Mediation and Ethical Governance for Business Sustainability,” the Conclave formed a major highlight of the University’s UPSA@60 celebrations and brought together chief executives, captains of industry, policymakers, academics, students and members of the public.
The public lecture was preceded earlier in the day by a closed-door Business Leaders’ Conclave featuring selected chief executive officers, managing directors, and senior industry leaders who engaged in high-level discussions on resilient leadership, ethical decision-making, and institutional sustainability.
Addressing the public lecture, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II challenged Ghanaian leaders to move beyond rhetoric and focus on building enduring institutions grounded in trust, discipline and accountability. He stressed that the future of Ghana’s economy would depend not only on business growth, but on the moral character and ethical choices of its leaders.
“Business without integrity is a danger to society, leadership without humility is arrogance, and prosperity without ethics is fragile,” the Asantehene stated, as he urged leaders to restore trust and credibility in both public and corporate life.
Drawing on Asante traditions of governance and mediation, His Royal Majesty explained that negotiation and conflict resolution are not merely technical competencies but moral responsibilities requiring fairness, patience, wisdom, and courage. He noted that sustainable leadership must prioritise consensus-building, institutional stability and the collective good over personal or short-term interests.
The Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, described the Conclave as a defining moment in the University’s 60-year journey and as a reflection of UPSA’s commitment to shaping ethical, industry-relevant leadership for Ghana and Africa.
“When we launched UPSA@60, we reflected deeply on the kind of leadership our nation and continent requires, leadership that is ethical, credible and capable of building peace amid complexity,” he said.
Professor Mawutor further expressed the University’s gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for graciously convening the Conclave and sharing his wisdom on negotiation, mediation and governance with both industry leaders and the wider public.
The Chancellor of UPSA, Dr. Kofi Kodua Sarpong, also underscored the importance of integrity in leadership, stating that sustainable institutions are built on trust, ethical conduct and principled decision-making, while the Chairman of the University Council, Dr. Harry Agbanu, described the engagement as a “masterclass in ethical leadership,” noting that integrity remains indispensable for business sustainability and institutional credibility.
Anchored on the UPSA@60 anniversary theme, “Six Decades of Transformative Education: Empowering Africa’s Future Business Leaders,” the Ghana Business Leaders’ Conclave reinforced UPSA’s growing role as a centre for thought leadership, ethical governance and professional excellence in Africa.
