Captain Prince Kofi Amoabeng has stated that his greatest fear is that the very environment he is preparing young leaders for transformation will ultimately consume them.
His remarks came during the graduation and induction ceremony for the PK Amoabeng Scholars, where 19 graduands, including best graduates Solomon Boakye and Lady Ithra Rachel Naadu, completed the programme, and 19 new inductees joined.
“Now they are fresh. They are ready to change the world. But then we throw them back into the toxic environment, and if there are 20 of them, I will pray hard that not more than 10 are changed by the system,” Amoabeng said.
He framed the initiative as a race to build a critical mass of ethical leaders who can withstand prevailing norms. “The idea is if we have more funding, we can form an academy and throw in a lot of these hopeful young people so the system cannot eat most of them up,” he explained.
The guest speaker, Nana Sam Agyensaim VI, provided a practical example of the discipline required for leadership. He recounted working two grueling jobs in London a 12-hour overnight security shift followed by a day job at Harrods for 18 months to establish himself. His story underscored the resilience the foundation aims to instil.
The event also served as an induction for a new cohort. On their behalf, Gloria Ansah accepted the charge. “Our promise is to do better as a generation. You can count on us to not simply walk a path already built, but to forge our own,”she said.
But the central conflict remains. The foundation is creating “decent young men with the right values,” yet Captain Amoabeng likened the effort to making asana, a local drink. “The more sugar you put in, the more you can drink it,” he said. This means the bitterness of the national status quo requires an overwhelming amount of “sweetness” of ethical, trained leaders to make any difference.
Captain Amoabeng’s deepest thanks went to sponsors and mentors, especially Nana Sam Agyensaim VI, whose support provides a counter-cultural sanctuary for the scholars.
The PK Amoabeng Leadership Foundation is running a rescue operation. It is deliberately plucking promising youth from the jaws of a system that threatens to eat them alive, arming them with values, and praying that enough of them survive to leave a legacy that can change the narrative for Ghana and for Africa.8% to one American greenback.