Ambition Without Values Is a Threat to Ghana, Vice President Tells Tertiary Students

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | January 05 | Ambition Without Values Is a Threat to Ghana, Vice President Tells Tertiary Students

Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang has warned tertiary students that ambition without moral values poses a greater danger to Ghana than lack of ambition, urging ethical leadership and academic integrity at the 2026 PENSA Ghana Conference.

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Vice President Delivers Strong Moral Message to Ghanaian Youth

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang has cautioned tertiary students that ambition pursued without ethical grounding poses a greater threat to Ghana’s future than a lack of ambition altogether.She made the remarks on Saturday at the 2026 Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Ghana Gospel and Power Conference held at Gomoa Fetteh, where she addressed thousands of young people gathered across multiple conference centres nationwide.According to the Vice President, Ghana’s development depends not only on talented and driven young people, but on leaders whose ambitions are firmly anchored in integrity, fairness, and empathy.

“Ambition Is Not the Problem, Values Are”

Professor Opoku Agyemang rejected the idea that ambition itself is dangerous, stressing that Ghana needs driven and capable young people to move the nation forward.“Ambition itself is not the danger. Ghana needs ambitious, capable young people. The danger lies in ambition disconnected from values,” she said.Her remarks come amid rising public concern over academic dishonesty, examination malpractices, and ethical lapses within educational institutions and the wider society.

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Leadership Begins on Campus, Not in Office

The Vice President emphasized that leadership formation starts long before individuals assume formal titles or positions. She described everyday campus activities as critical spaces where character is shaped.“Leadership is taking shape in how you handle group work, who you include or exclude, and how you use influence,” she noted.She urged students to treat even small responsibilities seriously, arguing that fairness, discipline, and empathy must guide conduct at every level.

Academic Pressure Is Not an Excuse for Dishonesty

Addressing the realities of university life, Professor Opoku Agyemang acknowledged that students face exhaustion, confusion, and self-doubt, but insisted these challenges are part of the journey toward excellence.“Your academic journey will test you with exhaustion, confusion, and doubt. These moments are not interruptions to excellence; they are its training ground,” she said.She warned that academic pressure should never justify shortcuts or dishonest behaviour, describing academic dishonesty as a systemic issue with long-term consequences.“Academic dishonesty is not a minor mistake; it is an early warning sign,” she stressed, adding that habits formed in school often carry into professional life.

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Special Message to Young Women

The Vice President delivered a pointed message to young women at the conference, acknowledging the unequal expectations and social pressures they often face.“Leadership does not require you to trade your beliefs for acceptance or excellence for conformity. Ghana requires your full intellect, judgment, and resolve,” she said.She encouraged female students to remain confident in their abilities and principles, even when confronted with unfair standards.

From Knowledge to National Impact

Professor Opoku Agyemang urged students to move beyond academic achievement and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. She called on them to transform ideas into enterprises and research into practical solutions that benefit society.She emphasized that resilience and national development are products of discipline, purposeful learning, and accountability, not chance.“The Ghana we all desire will not assemble itself. It will be built patiently, diligently, and responsibly,” she concluded.

Conference Draws Over 13,500 Participants Nationwide

The 2026 PENSA Ghana Gospel and Power Conference attracted about 13,500 participants across five centres, including:

• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
• University for Development Studies (Tamale)
• University of Mines and Technology (Tarkwa)
• Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh

The conference ran from January 2 to January 5 under the theme: “The Church Unleashed to Transform Society Through the Gospel and the Power of the Holy Spirit.”It was officially opened by Apostle Dr. Ebenezer Hagan, Director of the Youth Ministry of the Church of Pentecost, who described the gathering as a sacred space for shaping lives and aligning destinies.

PENSA’s Role in Youth and Leadership Development

PENSA International operates as a ministry of the Church of Pentecost, empowering students and young professionals to deploy their talents in service to communities across Ghana. The organisation connects skilled professionals to volunteer opportunities in education, health, and social development. 

A Leader Rooted in Education and Integrity

Professor Opoku Agyemang brings decades of experience in education and leadership. She served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (2008–2012), becoming the first woman to lead a public university in Ghana. She later served as Minister for Education (2013–2017).Her academic background includes degrees from the University of Cape Coast, the University of Dakar, and York University, Canada. She is a two-time Fulbright Scholar and a Life Fellow of the Commonwealth of Learning.

Shaping Values Beyond the Conference

Organisers encouraged participants to carry lessons from the conference back to their campuses, communities, and future workplaces, reinforcing ethical leadership, discipline, and service as pillars of national transformation.  

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