Ethical Leadership on 38th Conference
The West African Nobles Forum celebrates its 38th Annual Congress and Awards Night. Top leaders meet to discuss ethical leadership.
This year’s event features key speeches from Chairman, Dr. D. Otibu Asare, and Chief Bishop Dr. Stella Gatti. They focus on why integrity matters most in leadership
Chairman’s Address: The True Measure of Leadership Success
Leadership—whether in politics, business, or organizations—exists for a purpose. A leader is only successful when that purpose is fulfilled. As you know, leadership is about guiding people toward a shared goal.
A true leader inspires, motivates, and directs followers to achieve that purpose. Without this, there is no success. Influence is key—people must be properly guided to make progress.
But influence cannot exist without integrity. Without it, leadership fails. The mark of a great leader? Honesty, accountability, humility, persistence, and excellence. These qualities stem from integrity.
Hard work may get you into leadership, but integrity keeps you there. It earns trust, loyalty, and lasting respect. Your legacy is defined by the impact you leave—how many lives you’ve uplifted.
Success isn’t just personal; it’s measured by how many others succeed because of you. True greatness lifts others up. Use your opportunities to create more for those around you.
Integrity builds trust, secures support, and cements your reputation. Some work harder or sacrifice more yet achieve less. Why? Because leadership is not just effort—it’s divine favor and principled action.
Beyond speeches and awards, today marks the launch of the West African Center for Mobility and Self-Development. As part of UNIWAP, this center will train young leaders—politicians, entrepreneurs, and technocrats—across West Africa.
This is a transformative initiative, and I urge your full support. Together, we can shape the next generation of ethical, impactful leaders.
Thank you all for being here. God bless you, and may He guide our efforts.
Welcome Address by Dr. D. Otibu Asare
A Distinguished Gathering of Noble Minds
Nana Chairman, our esteemed Keynote Speaker, the Vice President’s Representative, Honorable Ministers, Governing Council members, revered Old Nobles, cherished award recipients, distinguished guests, members of the press, ladies and gentlemen – it is my great honor to welcome you to this momentous occasion.
On behalf of the President-General, Governing Council, and all members of the West African Nobles Forum, I extend our warmest greetings to each of you gathered here tonight for our 38th Annual Congress Stroke Awards Night. We deeply appreciate our valued partners and honorees who have prioritized this event despite your demanding schedules.
Acknowledging Our Pillars of Strength
First and foremost, I must express our profound gratitude to the President-General, the Vice President-Representative, Honorable Ministers, and all Distinguished Nobles whose unwavering support has sustained our Forum’s activities. Your leadership continues to inspire us daily, and for this, we remain eternally grateful.
Beyond the Title: The True Essence of Our Forum
Nana Chairman, distinguished guests, while some may perceive the West African Nobles Forum as merely another organizational entity, those familiar with our work understand our deeper purpose. Since our establishment in 2003, we have consistently championed the principles of integrity throughout West Africa and beyond.
Through conferences, media engagements, seminars, and our prestigious investiture ceremonies, we have created platforms for meaningful discourse on ethical leadership. Our inaugural West African Conference in 2004, hosted in Accra with luminaries like retired Brigadier Richardson Bedu and General J.B. Dangwa in attendance, set the tone for our ongoing mission.
Today, our membership exceeds 3,000 distinguished individuals across the subregion – exemplary leaders whose lives of integrity continue to inspire younger generations. These noble personalities demonstrate daily that ethical leadership is not just an ideal, but a practical way of life.
The Heart of Nobility: Understanding True Integrity
Before we proceed with tonight’s proceedings, allow me to reflect on what truly defines a noble person of integrity:
1. Reliability: A person of integrity is someone others can depend on without hesitation. Their words and actions remain consistently aligned.
2. Accountability: True nobles take complete ownership of their lives – celebrating successes and learning from failures with equal grace.
3. Transparency: They conduct all affairs with openness, avoiding any shadow of conflict of interest.
4. Courage of Conviction: When faced with unethical pressures, they choose principle over profit, knowing character outweighs material gain.
5. Relationship Integrity: They maintain appropriate boundaries and honor commitments, especially in personal relationships.
The Rewards of Righteous Living
Choosing integrity transforms every aspect of life:
– It strengthens professional and personal relationships
– Simplifies decision-making through established principles
– Brings unparalleled peace of mind and self-respect
– Creates a legacy that outlives temporary achievements
A Call to Noble Living
As we celebrate tonight’s honorees, let us all recommit to these timeless values. Remember, true nobility isn’t about titles or awards – it’s about how consistently we uphold our principles when no one is watching.
Thank you all for joining this celebration of excellence. May we continue to inspire ethical leadership across our beloved
Welcome Address by Chief Bishop Dr. Stella Gatti
By Chief Bishop Dr. Stella Gatti
Honoring the Pillars of Ethical Leadership
Your Excellencies, distinguished members of the West African noble throng, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you tonight both humbled and inspired. As your keynote speaker, I commend this noble assembly – a gathering of principled minds dedicated to elevating leadership standards across our beloved West Africa.
Tonight’s theme, “Integrity: The Hallmark of Successful Leaders,” could not be more vital. In our modern world where moral compasses often waver, integrity remains the unshakable foundation of genuine leadership.
Biblical Foundations of Integrity
Scripture illuminates our path. Proverbs 29:2 (NIV) declares:
“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
Titus 1:7 (Amplified Bible) further clarifies:
“For the overseer, as God’s steward, must be blameless, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain.”
These verses reveal universal truths that transcend time:
– Righteous leadership brings national prosperity
– Moral corruption creates societal suffering
– True stewards must embody blameless character
The Multidimensional Nature of Integrity
Great thinkers have captured integrity’s essence:
C.S. Lewis defined it as:
“The alignment between one’s values, words and actions – doing right when no one watches.”
D.S. Ngoa proclaimed: “The supreme leadership quality is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible.”
Why Integrity Matters Now More Than Ever
In our current Ghanaian context and across West Africa, we face critical challenges:
1. Public Trust Erosion: Citizens increasingly doubt leaders’ motives
2. Accountability Deficits: Systems often fail to check ethical lapses
3. Moral Ambiguity: The lines between right and wrong blur dangerously
The Ripple Effects of Ethical Leadership
When leaders embody integrity:
✔️ Institutions flourish
✔️ Citizens regain confidence
✔️ National development accelerates
✔️ Future generations inherit ethical frameworks
A Call to Action
Tonight isn’t just about recognition – it’s about recommitment. Each of us must:
– Examine our personal moral compasses
– Hold ourselves to higher standards
– Create accountability mechanisms
– Mentor emerging leaders in ethical practices
Conclusion: Our Collective Responsibility
The West African noble throng didn’t gather tonight to celebrate titles, but to champion transformation. As we proceed with this auspicious event, may we all leave more determined to: “Be the change we wish to see in our leadership landscape.” God bless our noble endeavors. Thank you.
