Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, has urged corporate leaders to deliberately invest in developing future strategic thinkers and innovators, stressing that leadership excellence must be intentional rather than accidental.
He made the call on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the opening of the 13th Jospong Leadership Conference (JLC), held under the theme “Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.”
Drawing inspiration from Psalm 90:1–8, Dr. Agyepong emphasized the responsibility leaders bear in preparing the next generation for sustained success.
“Leadership is about responsibility. It is about preparing the next generation with capacity, strength, and passion,” he stated.
Dr. Agyepong described the conference as a critical platform for corporate learning and growth, urging participants to fully engage with the discussions and activities.
“This conference is a leadership laboratory — a space where we examine strategy, culture, performance, innovation, and people development,” he said.
He stressed that proactive leadership development is non-negotiable, noting that the emergence of future managing directors, innovators, and strategic thinkers must be deliberate.
“The next generation of leaders must not emerge accidentally. It must be intentional and intentionally developed,” he added.
Reflecting on the Jospong Group’s growth from a small printing business in 1995 to a multinational conglomerate operating in more than 25 African countries and beyond, Dr. Agyepong linked the company’s success to its commitment to leadership and adaptability.
He noted that sustained excellence in an evolving business environment depends on continuous leadership nurturing to meet changing markets, technologies, and operating conditions.
Dr. Agyepong also expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama, government officials, private sector partners, and staff of the Jospong Group for their continued support.
“I thank the entire staff of Jospong Group, our private sector partners, government agencies, and district assemblies for their commitment and support,” he said.
In a separate address, marketing expert Professor Robert Hinson spoke on “Innovating from Within: Entrepreneurship and Creative Leadership,” highlighting integrity as a cornerstone of sustainable business success.
According to Prof. Hinson, integrity builds trust and ensures long-term organizational viability. He also encouraged leaders to embrace innovation, emphasizing that creativity often outweighs financial capital.
“Innovation doesn’t start with five billion dollars. It starts with fresh ideas. Resourcefulness matters more than resources,” he remarked.
He further urged business leaders to cultivate courage, identify market opportunities, and train their teams to think entrepreneurially. Stressing the importance of collaboration, Prof. Hinson noted that partnerships are essential in today’s business environment.
“Nobody does anything alone anymore. We grow through partnerships,” he said.
The Jospong Leadership Conference is an annual leadership development forum organized by the Jospong Group to strengthen leadership capacity across its operations and beyond.
