Members of the third cohort of the PK Amoabeng Leadership Foundation have been challenged to approach leadership as a disciplined, values-driven responsibility that demands courage, self-awareness and a willingness to confront barriers directly.
The message was delivered during a courtesy visit by the cohort to Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, the Omanhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area. The cohort was led by the foundation’s management and its founder, Captain (Rtd.) Prince Kofi Amoabeng, as part of the programme’s leadership immersion activities.
Responding to a question on how he balances the demands of chieftaincy at a relatively young age, the Akuapem paramount chief dismissed the idea that leadership effectiveness is determined by age, stressing instead the importance of readiness, discipline and mindset. He noted that while he is among the younger paramount chiefs, the role requires constant learning and a clear appreciation of the responsibilities attached to authority.
Drawing on his professional background, including more than a decade of experience in international development, he told the cohort that leadership is not defined by seniority or titles, but by the capacity to understand challenges and act decisively.
He noted that effective leadership begins with recognising barriers rather than avoiding them. According to him, leaders must be intentional about identifying obstacles, confronting them head-on and developing the courage to overcome fear and resistance.
“Leadership has to be powerful,” he said, explaining that power in leadership is rooted in clarity of purpose and the confidence to make difficult decisions, even when such decisions attract opposition or disagreement.
The Omanhene further encouraged the young leaders to cultivate resilience and independent thinking, noting that leadership often requires questioning established positions and proposing alternative solutions. Progress, he said, comes when leaders are prepared to challenge convention respectfully and push for action.
The visit formed part of the PK Amoabeng Leadership Foundation’s broader strategy to expose fellows to leadership models, blending corporate, civic and traditional governance perspectives. The journey to the Eastern Region was also to make known to members of the cohort where their leader Capt. Rtd. Amoabeng comes from, as he believes it is important for young leaders to know where who leads them comes from.
The engagement reinforces the foundation’s mission of developing leaders who are grounded in strong values, unafraid of challenges and capable of navigating complex environments with integrity and purpose.
