Accra, Aug. 2, GNA – The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for institutional integrity, accountability and inclusion as essential pillars of sustainable leadership.
Dr Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of CHRAJ, said competence without integrity posed a risk to institutions, stressing that accountability strengthened ambition rather than weakened it.
He made the call on Saturday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 graduation ceremony of Nobel International Business (NiBS) University in Accra.
The University graduated 28 students from its Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Financial Management (MFM) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) programmes.
The ceremony was on the theme: “Excellence Beyond Borders: Preparing Leaders for a Changing World.”
Drawing on his experience at CHRAJ, Dr Whittal said many institutional failures were caused not by a lack of competence but by ethical compromise.
“Competence without integrity is a liability, not an asset,” he said, urging the graduands to uphold ethical standards as they assumed leadership positions.
He also encouraged leaders to embrace transparency, welcome scrutiny and build inclusive institutions, saying organisations that broadened participation across gender, geography and generations performed better.
Dr Whittal said graduates were entering a rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intelligence, climate change and shifting global dynamics, where trust in institutions had become increasingly valuable.
He urged them to combine technical knowledge with sound judgement and strong character, saying: “Go beyond the borders that others will try to place around your ambition.”
Dr George Nana Agyekum Donkor, Chancellor of NiBS University, said excellence should go beyond academic achievement to include innovation, resilience, ethical leadership and lifelong learning.
He announced plans to launch the Alumni Club 100 and a Research and Infrastructure Fund to mobilise resources for research, infrastructure development and the University’s long-term growth.
Mr Martin Kwame Awagah, President of the Ghana FinTech and Payments Association, said higher education institutions must continuously adapt to the demands of the digital economy.
He said technologies such as artificial intelligence, data science and digital finance were reshaping industries and urged graduates to embrace lifelong learning, innovation and ethical use of technology.
Mr Awagah said Africa’s growing digital economy presented significant opportunities for entrepreneurs, policymakers and innovators to advance financial inclusion and economic development.
GNA
George Agboklu