Renowned Pastor and CEO of Global Leadership Consulting, Dr Sam Adeyemi, delivered a powerful message on the importance of inclusive leadership at the 2024 Jospong Leadership Conference held on January 15, 2024.
Addressing the audience at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoah Fetteh, Dr Adeyemi emphasized the need for African leaders to prioritize human life over financial considerations.
In his keynote address on “Inclusive Leadership,” Dr. Adeyemi asserted, “Africa’s problem is not finance; Africa is where it is because most leaders do not place enough value on human life.”
He went on to highlight a critical issue, stating, “Most African leaders do not believe that the average African deserves better, and that’s why its development is slow and often discriminatory.”
Advocating for a change in mindset, Dr. Adeyemi urged African leaders to love without discrimination. “Africa’s problem is not money but a lack of love,” he emphasized. Citing inclusive leadership as a solution, he stated, “Love is the essence of inclusive leadership in the relationship of a leader-follower since it remains the foundation and delivers solid business results.”
Acknowledging the challenges that divide the continent, Dr. Adeyemi challenged African leaders to treat every individual with the same dignity. Reflecting on the characteristics of a great leader, he stressed the importance of leaders admitting weakness. “Leaders are not perfect, and admitting mistakes builds trust in the followers,” he noted.
Commending the Jospong Group for organizing the conference, Dr. Adeyemi described it as “phenomenal for an African institution to organize a leadership conference for its staff.”
The conference also featured insights from Mr. Edward Ato Sarpong, a business and leadership consultant, who identified five enablers for effecting change in society using the ‘APPLE’ analogy – Anger, Pressure, Possibilities, Learning and lessons, and Environment.
The 11th edition of the Jospong Leadership Conference brought together leaders and staff of the Jospong Group of Companies, with the theme “Driving Business Excellence through Innovation, Sustainability, and Empowerment.” The conference underscored the importance of innovation in achieving the Group’s vision of becoming a leading business in Africa.
The Jospong Academy’s role in designing innovative learning programs was highlighted as a critical factor contributing to the conglomerate’s growth.
The conference addressed crucial aspects of leadership, fostering a platform for knowledge exchange and promoting inclusive practices that can drive positive change in Africa’s business landscape.