At a time when public trust in leadership is frequently questioned, Sir Sam Jonah says Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang stands out for something increasingly rare in public life: an unblemished record.
Speaking at a Distinguished Fellow Award ceremony at the University of Cape Coast, the university’s chancellor praised the vice president for maintaining what he described as a spotless reputation throughout her decades-long career in academia and national leadership.
“Throughout her entire public life, from the lecture halls of this university to the highest offices of national governance, Professor Opoku-Agyemang has maintained an unblemished record,” Sir Jonah said. “Not a single scandal. Not a whisper of controversy.”
For Sir.Jonah, the point wasn’t simply to celebrate personal achievement. Instead, he framed Opoku-Agyemang’s career as a reminder of what principled leadership can look like, even in times when public confidence in institutions appears fragile.
“In a world where power so often corrodes, and where public trust so often frays, she has navigated the full complexity of leadership with her honour completely intact,” he said. “That, ladies and gentlemen, is no small thing. That is, in fact, everything.”
Sir Jonah also drew a distinction between accomplishment and character — suggesting that while achievements may earn admiration, integrity is what builds trust.
“A person of achievement inspires admiration. A person of integrity inspires trust,” he said. “Professor Opoku-Agyemang is both — and that rare combination is precisely why this honour is not only fitting, but necessary.”
Reflecting on the broader moment in Ghanaian public life,Dr. Jonah said leaders like Opoku-Agyemang serve as a powerful example at a time when skepticism toward public officials can feel widespread.
“She reminds us, by the simple act of living as she has lived, that principled leadership is not a relic of a nobler age,” he said. “It is possible. It is practised. It is present among us today — and it is vital for Ghana’s progress, unity, and future.”
Source:TheDotNews