UEW hosts maiden Osahen Afenyo-Markin Excellence Lecture on leadership and public service

The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has hosted the maiden edition of the Osahen Afenyo-Markin Annual Excellence Public Lecture on the theme “Selfless Leadership and Public Service: Building Integrity, Trust, and Accountability.”

The lecture, held in Winneba, was organised by the Effutu Local Council of Christian Churches in collaboration with the Effutu Traditional Council and the Muslim community. It was chaired by Neenyi Ghartey VII, the Effutu Oma Odefe and Paramount Chief.

The event attracted a wide range of participants, including traditional leaders, academics, students, development partners, clergy, Queen Mothers, and members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from within and outside the Central Region. Among them was the NPP National Youth Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye.

The programme also formed part of celebrations to honour the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Osahen Afenyo-Markin, on his 48th birthday, recognising his contributions to parliamentary leadership, law, and public service.

The maiden lecture featured a keynote address by former New Juaben South MP, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah, who is widely regarded for his contributions to economic discourse in Parliament and national policy discussions.

He observed that generations are remembered not by the positions they held or the wealth they accumulated, but by the quality of leadership they produced, stressing that nations thrive when leadership is anchored in integrity, sacrifice, and accountability.

Dr Assibey-Yeboah noted that one of the major challenges facing modern democracies is the erosion of public trust in leadership, with citizens increasingly questioning whether public office still represents genuine service and sacrifice.

He commended the collaboration between the Effutu Traditional Council, and the Christian and Muslim communities in organising the lecture, describing it as timely and significant in strengthening democratic values.

He explained that leadership goes beyond occupying positions, emphasizing stewardship, the ability to inspire confidence, unite people, and remain accountable.

“True leadership demands restraint in moments of power, courage in moments of difficulty, humility in moments of success, and integrity in moments of temptation,” he said.

He added that public service at its highest level requires leaders who understand that authority is a responsibility owed to the people, not a privilege over them.

Dr Assibey-Yeboah further stated that such lectures should serve as moments of reflection on governance, accountability, and the kind of leadership needed to strengthen democratic institutions and inspire responsible citizenship.

He highlighted the historical contributions of the Effutu State to national development and noted that its values of resilience, communal responsibility, and service remain deeply rooted.

According to him, discussions on integrity and accountability are even more important at a time when many young people across Africa are becoming disillusioned with political leadership and public institutions.

He urged leaders across all sectors, including politics, traditional governance, religion, academia, and the youth, to reflect on the values shaping society and the legacy being passed on to future generations.

Dr Assibey-Yeboah commended the organisers for choosing a theme that addresses critical governance challenges, adding that collaboration among traditional, Christian, and Muslim leaders sends a strong message of unity in national development.

He stressed that democracy can only thrive when leaders uphold honesty, transparency, competence, and service, while remaining responsive to the needs of citizens.

In his response, Osahen Afenyo-Markin expressed gratitude to his mother for her support, as well as to UEW, religious leaders, dignitaries, Neenyi Ghartey VII, Dr Assibey-Yeboah, and all organisers of the event.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of citations to selected personalities, followed by a cake cutting to mark the celebration of Osahen Afenyo-Markin’s birthday and to honour his leadership and contributions to the Effutu traditional area and beyond.