Ecobank Ghana has launched the Rising Leaders Programme, a flagship leadership development initiative designed to equip young people with the mindset, skills, networks and opportunities needed to become ethical and transformational leaders.
The programme, launched in Accra last Wednesday on the theme, “From Potential to Power,” seeks to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity through mentorship, practical learning, networking and engagement with accomplished business leaders.
The event brought together senior executives, policymakers, development partners and captains of industry, who encouraged young people to embrace continuous learning, innovation and integrity as they prepare for leadership.
Beyond banking
Launching the programme, the Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Abena Osei-Poku, said the initiative was inspired by the bank’s recognition that many young people possess talent and ambition but often lack access to opportunities, guidance, exposure and professional networks.
“Every day we meet young people who are ambitious, full of ideas and capable, but what they often lack is access, access to the right opportunities, guidance, exposure and networks. That is why we are here today,” she said.
Mrs Osei-Poku, who started her career at Ecobank as an intern before rising to Managing Director, said her own journey demonstrated the importance of mentorship and deliberate investment in people.
“Looking back, apart from the grace of God, what made the difference were the people who invested in me. There were those who challenged me, those who coached me and those who created opportunities for me to grow,” she said.
She said such experiences had shaped her belief that investing in people was about more than building careers.
“When we invest intentionally in people, we do not just transform careers, we shape the future,” she said.
Mrs Osei-Poku explained that the programme’s theme reflected the transition from untapped potential to meaningful impact.
“Potential is possibility. Power is impact. Power is not a title or a position. It is the ability to influence positively, make sound decisions, lead with integrity and create meaningful change,” she said.
She described ‘Rising Leaders’ as a long term initiative that would identify, develop and connect Africa’s next generation of leaders through mentorship, practical learning and engagement with experienced professionals.
“Our purpose extends beyond banking. As a Pan African bank, we exist to enable progress across the continent, and one of the greatest investments we can make is in people and leadership because strong institutions and strong economies are built by strong leaders,” she added.
She urged participants to take responsibility for their personal development, stressing that no mentor or institution could replace individual commitment.
“The success of Rising Leaders will not be measured by today’s launch. It will be measured by the leaders who emerge, the careers that are transformed, the businesses that are built and the impact created across our continent,” she said.
Develop competence
Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director of Unilever Ghana PLC, Chris Wulff-Caesar, urged young professionals to focus on competence before pursuing leadership positions.
Using what he described as the SPELL framework, Skills, Performance, Experience and Leadership, he said sustainable leadership was built on mastery, consistent performance and service.
“We want the title before the craft. We want visibility before credibility. We want influence before impact,” he said.
Mr Wulff-Caesar recounted that after joining Unilever Ghana as a management trainee in 1999, he worked in factories, plantations, sales and marketing, experiences that gave him a deep understanding of business operations.
“Before you can inspire teams, you must respect the work. If you do not know the work, you cannot inspire people,” he said.
He advised participants to build measurable records of achievement instead of merely appearing busy.
“Performance is not noise. It is the record of what changed because you were there,” he said.
He further described leadership as presence rather than position, saying effective leaders must remain visible, accessible and connected to their teams.
“Africa does not simply need more successful individuals. Africa needs intentional leaders who build, listen, execute, collaborate and serve with integrity,” he added.
Call for young people to be future ready
A speech delivered on behalf of the Country Manager of African Development ,Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, described the programme as timely as African economies undergo rapid technological and structural transformation.
She said the continent’s greatest challenge was no longer the availability of talent but preparing young people for emerging opportunities.
She encouraged participants to acquire future ready skills, embrace artificial intelligence and digital technologies, and cultivate a mindset that creates opportunities instead of waiting for them.
She also urged young people to invest continuously in their skills, pursue excellence and develop values that would enable them to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.
Education minister lauds initiative
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, commended Ecobank for investing in leadership development, describing the programme as an important contribution to Ghana’s human capital development agenda.
He encouraged young people to aspire to leadership in all sectors of national life rather than limiting their ambitions to politics.
“Ghana needs leaders in every facet of our national life, in banking, engineering, architecture, science, technology and education,” he said.
Haruna Iddrisu said the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and digital technologies required a new generation of leaders equipped with technical competence, emotional intelligence and integrity.
“The reality is becoming clearer every day that talent alone is not enough. Academic qualifications alone are not enough. Technical knowledge alone is not enough,” he said.
According to him, success in the modern world requires knowledge, practical skills, discipline, accountability, emotional intelligence and access to opportunity.
He also announced that Cabinet had approved the establishment of a sustainable financing mechanism for Technical and Vocational Education and Training to expand skills development and improve youth employability.
Describing the Ecobank initiative as a worthwhile investment,the education minister said leadership was about service, responsibility, courage and impact.
“Leadership is about service, responsibility, courage and, above all, impact,” he said.
He urged participants to strengthen their communication skills, develop resilience and remain committed to making a positive difference in society.
