Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has engaged thousands of students at the PENSA (Pentecost Students and Associates) Ghana conference held at Gomoa Fetteh, urging them to pursue leadership and academic excellence through deliberate effort and strong values.
The conference, which took place simultaneously at five centres across the country, brought together young people already contributing to Ghana’s future.
Speaking on the theme “Achieving Leadership and Academic Excellence,” the Vice President stated that excellence in leadership and academics does not occur by chance, but through intentional cultivation rooted in discipline and integrity.
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She described intellectual strain, uncertainty and doubt as essential parts of the learning process, noting that they shape character, credibility and discipline rather than serve as barriers to success.
She cautioned strongly against academic dishonesty, stressing that it is not a minor issue but an early sign of declining standards, and warned that private conduct often determines public behaviour.
Addressing student leaders, the Vice President emphasised that leadership must prioritise the collective good and pay special attention to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities. She urged students to recognise their privilege and use their education to uplift others.
She further encouraged students to embrace entrepreneurship and take initiative, noting that Ghana’s next phase of development will depend not only on academic qualifications but also on creativity, innovation and the ability to translate ideas, research and skills into practical solutions.
The Vice President also addressed young women, reminding them that their presence in leadership spaces is both earned and necessary, and encouraged them to remain confident and grounded in their values despite unequal expectations.
She concluded by reminding students that the future is being shaped now, not after graduation, stressing that academic excellence is a discipline rather than a performance, and that Ghana’s development will require responsibility, integrity and service from all
