Ghana Students Honor Leader Who Puts Service Over Fame

A group of university students traveled to the office of one of Ghana's top investment officials not to ask for something, but to say thank you for words that changed how they think about leadership.

The Volta Regional Students Association at Ghana Communication and Telecommunication University honored Akwasi Opong-Fosu, Board Chair of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, on January 19. The students told him his speech at their leadership ceremony had become their roadmap for serving others.

Opong-Fosu had attended their event and shared advice that stuck. He told the young leaders to focus on delivering real service instead of building their own reputations. "Fame will fade," he reminded them during their recent visit. "When I am no more here, what will people remember me for?"

That question now guides how the student association approaches its work. President Alphons Doamekpor and his team said Opong-Fosu's emphasis on discipline, forward thinking, and consistent values gave them a framework for navigating their new responsibilities.

The students weren't just offering praise. Founder Charles Apasu Assor also requested help securing internships for association members, turning the courtesy visit into a practical step toward building their skills.

Opong-Fosu accepted their recognition with a challenge. He urged the students to worry less about being famous and more about improving the lives of people they lead. He also expressed concern about declining patriotism in Ghana, calling it an issue every leader and citizen should address.

Why This Inspires

This story flips the typical narrative about young people and leadership. Instead of waiting to be inspired, these students actively sought out and celebrated the kind of character they want to emulate. They're building a culture where humility and service matter more than visibility.

The students formalized their gratitude with a citation plaque recognizing Opong-Fosu's support and his contributions to Ghana and beyond. But the real award might be a generation of leaders taking his question seriously: What will people remember us for?