Ecobank Ghana has launched its Rising Leaders Programme, an initiative designed to identify, mentor and equip young professionals with the skills, exposure and networks needed to drive Africa’s future development.
The launch brought together business executives, policymakers, academics and young professionals, with speakers stressing the importance of intentional leadership development, resilience and continuous learning in an increasingly complex business environment.
Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Abena Osei-Poku, said the programme was born out of a conviction that investing in people remains one of the most powerful ways to transform societies and build strong institutions.
“Potential is possibility; power is impact,” she said. “Power is not a title or a position. It is the ability to influence positively, make sound decisions, lead with integrity and create meaningful change.”
According to her, many talented young people possess ambition and ideas but often lack access to opportunities, mentorship, guidance and professional networks.
She explained that the Rising Leaders Programme seeks to bridge that gap through mentorship, practical learning and direct engagement with experienced leaders from diverse industries.
“At Ecobank, our purpose extends beyond banking. We exist to enable progress across the continent, and one of the greatest investments we believe we can make is in people and leadership,” she noted.
She challenged participants to take ownership of their personal growth and actively engage with the opportunities the programme offers.
“The success of Rising Leaders will not be measured by today’s launch,” she said. “It will be measured by the leaders who emerge, the careers that are transformed, the businesses that are built and the impact created across our continent.”
Delivering a keynote address, Chris Wulff-Caesar, Managing Director of Unilever Ghana, shared lessons from his nearly three-decade professional journey, which began as a management trainee at Unilever Ghana in 1999.
He urged young professionals to focus on substance rather than status, emphasizing that career success is built on mastering fundamentals before pursuing titles and recognition.
“Many young professionals want growth, but sometimes chase the symbols of growth before building the substance,” he said. “We want the title before the craft, visibility before credibility, promotion before proof that we can do the work.”
Drawing from his experiences across Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria and several African markets, Wulff-Caesar introduced what he called the ‘SPELL’ framework for leadership development – Skills, Performance, Experience and Leadership.
According to him, skills build capability, performance establishes credibility, experience develops wisdom and leadership enables individuals to become useful to others.
“Performance is not noise. It is not activity. Performance is the record of what changed because you were there,” he told participants.
Reflecting on his time leading brands in Nigeria, he recounted how a business that held only six percent market share grew to 22 percent through disciplined execution, innovation and teamwork.
He also highlighted the importance of navigating complexity, noting that his role overseeing operations across 44 African countries taught him that successful leadership requires adaptability, humility and a willingness to learn.
“Experience is not the same as time served. It is what time teaches you when you are paying attention,” he said.
Wulff-Caesar further challenged young professionals to rethink leadership as a daily practice rather than a formal position.
“Leadership is not a position you occupy. Leadership is a presence people can feel,” he said. “It is being visible when the team needs clarity, accessible when people need support and vulnerable enough to admit you do not have all the answers.”
He encouraged leaders to remain connected to their teams, describing leadership as being “on the dance floor” rather than observing from a distance.
“Africa does not simply need more successful individuals,” he added. “Africa needs more intentional leaders – leaders who build, listen, execute, collaborate and understand that the future must be developed deliberately.”
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, who was the special guest, commended Ecobank for going beyond traditional corporate social responsibility activities to invest directly in youth development.
He urged participants to approach the programme with seriousness and focus, stressing that leadership opportunities exist across all sectors of society.
“Ghana needs leaders in every facet of our national life,” he said. “Leadership is not about title, position or privilege. Leadership is about service, responsibility, courage and impact.”
The Minister advised young people not to rush success but instead build their careers on hard work, integrity and continuous learning.
He also highlighted the growing importance of technical, vocational and digital skills in an era increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence.
“Talent alone will not be enough. Academic qualification alone will not be enough,” he said. “To rise from potential to power, one will need knowledge, skills, values, discipline, adaptability, emotional intelligence and creativity.”
The Rising Leaders Programme forms part of Ecobank’s broader commitment to leadership development and youth empowerment across the continent.
The programme is expected to provide mentorship, networking opportunities and practical leadership development experiences for emerging professionals, equipping them to become future leaders in business, government and civil society.
Source: businesspostonline
