Former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has urged students of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) to see leadership as a responsibility that begins long before they occupy public office.
He said leadership should not be measured by titles or positions but by the character, competence, integrity and commitment to service demonstrated by individuals.
Mr Jinapor made the call when he interacted with students of GIMPA at the 2026 GIMPA Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Student Forum in Accra on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
The forum was held on the theme, “Leadership Beyond the Title: Integrity, Accountability and Service in Public Life.”
Speaking to the students, Mr Jinapor said the habits and values people developed in their everyday lives could shape how they handled greater responsibilities in the future.
He said leadership started before a person was entrusted with an official position and urged the students to develop discipline, competence and a willingness to continue learning.
According to him, the quality of leadership was influenced not only by academic qualifications but also by a person’s character and approach to responsibility.
He shared lessons from his own professional and public service journey, stressing the need for young people to prepare themselves for leadership by developing the right values.
Mr Jinapor also described public office as a trust that required accountability and responsible service to the people.
He said political and public positions were temporary, but the impact of a person’s conduct while occupying such positions could remain long after leaving office.
“Titles and positions will pass,” he said, while stressing the importance of how individuals exercised the responsibilities entrusted to them and treated the people they served.
He urged the students to focus on making a meaningful contribution to society rather than pursuing leadership positions solely for the status attached to them.
The former minister said integrity should remain central to public life because public officials were entrusted with responsibilities that affected the lives and welfare of citizens.
He further encouraged the students to continue acquiring knowledge and building their professional capacities as they prepared to enter different fields of work and leadership.
The interaction attracted active participation from the students, who engaged Mr Jinapor on issues relating to leadership, professional development and public service.
Mr Jinapor expressed appreciation to the GIMPA SRC, the management of the institution and the student body for inviting him to the forum and for the warm reception.
He also commended the students for their interest and engagement during the discussion.
The 2026 GIMPA SRC Student Forum formed part of the students’ engagement on leadership and public service and provided an opportunity for them to interact with an experienced public official.
Mr Jinapor wished the students success in their academic pursuits and encouraged them to prepare for the various leadership and service opportunities ahead of them.
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