Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration - GIMPA Business School Distinguished Alumni Series, a gathering that brings together business leaders, top professionals, and some of the brightest minds to share our insights on the issues shaping business around the world.
As I stepped onto the stage, I reflected on the three pillars that have profoundly shaped my journey: leadership, innovation, and impact.
Leadership is not about titles. It's about taking responsibility — for your dreams, your team, your community, and your nation.
When I began my journey, all I had was a vision, grit, and a willingness to start — even when the path wasn’t clear. There were challenges. There were delays. But I learned something vital early on: leadership is not about waiting for the perfect moment. It's about stepping up and creating it.
Leadership is showing up when it’s hard. It's being the first to arrive and the last to leave. It's making the tough decisions, even when they're unpopular. And above all, it’s about lifting others as you rise.
True leaders do not walk alone. They build people. They create systems. And they leave footprints deep enough for others to follow.
2. 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
When I think about innovation, I don’t just think about technology or disruption. I think about relevance. I ask myself: “What does my country need? And what can I build to bridge that gap?” That’s the foundation of everything I’ve created.
At Electrochem Ghana Limited, we saw more than just salt in the Ada plains — we saw a chance to industrialise an entire region. Today, we’re developing the largest salt mine in West Africa, creating jobs, empowering local economies, and building a world-class value chain.
With McDan Aviation, we reimagined air travel in Ghana. From launching Ghana’s first private jet terminal to offering executive air services, we brought a new dimension to aviation in West Africa — and we're not stopping there. We are reviving a piece of Ghana’s soul — the Black Star Line. Once a symbol of Pan-African pride, it is now a renewed mission.
We are creating a modern fleet that can strengthen regional trade and position Ghana as a logistics giant on land, sea, and air.
Innovation is not just about being new — it’s about being needed.
3. 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 – 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡
At the core of everything I do is belief: success means nothing if it doesn’t lift others. That’s why I started the McDan Foundation — to reach the people that the system often forgets.
We’ve provided scholarships for underprivileged students, funded lifesaving surgeries, built schools and clinics, supported youth entrepreneurship, and brought education, healthcare, and hope to rural communities. But my impact doesn’t end with the foundation. I also partner with other service organizations to support projects in health, water, education, and peace.
For me, it’s not charity — it’s responsibility. Businesses today cannot solely chase profit; they must take responsibility for their communities and the planet.
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