The Center for Ethical Leadership (CEL) at Palm University College successfully hosted the Second Edition of the Ethical Leadership Essay Writing Competition, an initiative designed to foster ethical consciousness, critical thinking, and leadership values among young people in Ghana.
Held on the Palm University College campus, the competition brought together students from six Senior High Schools across the country to reflect on one of the most important questions confronting Ghana’s development: “Would ethical leadership make the difference in the developmental trajectory of Ghana? Discuss.”
The participating schools were:
• Accra Academy Senior High School
• Accra High School
• Ghanata Senior High School
• Mankessim Senior High School
• Methodist Senior High School – Saltpond
• Peki Senior High Technical School
The competition commenced with an introduction to the Center for Ethical Leadership, where participating students were introduced to the Center’s mission of attracting, nurturing, growing, and producing a community of practicing ethical and excellent leaders in Africa who would “walk their talk.” Students were also introduced to the core values of Palm University College - Integrity, Leadership, and Excellence, which underpin the institution’s commitment to developing responsible, principled, and transformational leaders.
• Accra Academy Senior High School
• Accra High School
• Ghanata Senior High School
• Mankessim Senior High School
• Methodist Senior High School – Saltpond
• Peki Senior High Technical School
The competition commenced with an introduction to the Center for Ethical Leadership, where participating students were introduced to the Center’s mission of attracting, nurturing, growing, and producing a community of practicing ethical and excellent leaders in Africa who would “walk their talk.” Students were also introduced to the core values of Palm University College - Integrity, Leadership, and Excellence, which underpin the institution’s commitment to developing responsible, principled, and transformational leaders.
Beyond the writing exercise, the competition provided students with an opportunity to engage critically with the relationship between leadership, ethics, national development, and the future of Ghana. Participants were encouraged to examine how leadership decisions, accountability, integrity, responsibility, and the proper use of public resources can influence the social and economic development of a nation.
The essay topic challenged the students to move beyond conventional discussions of development and consider the role of ethical leadership as a catalyst for sustainable national progress. Through their essays, the students explored issues including corruption, accountability, responsible governance, education, economic development, social justice, youth participation, and the importance of values-driven leadership.
The competition also created a platform for students to express their perspectives on the kind of leadership Ghana needs to achieve meaningful and sustainable development. Their contributions demonstrated the importance of engaging young people in conversations about the future of the country and preparing them to become ethical leaders and responsible citizens.
The essay topic challenged the students to move beyond conventional discussions of development and consider the role of ethical leadership as a catalyst for sustainable national progress. Through their essays, the students explored issues including corruption, accountability, responsible governance, education, economic development, social justice, youth participation, and the importance of values-driven leadership.
The competition also created a platform for students to express their perspectives on the kind of leadership Ghana needs to achieve meaningful and sustainable development. Their contributions demonstrated the importance of engaging young people in conversations about the future of the country and preparing them to become ethical leaders and responsible citizens.
The initiative reflects the Center for Ethical Leadership’s commitment to nurturing ethical leadership from an early stage and creating opportunities for young people to develop the knowledge, values, confidence, and critical-thinking skills needed to contribute positively to society.
By bringing together students from different Senior High Schools, the competition also promoted healthy intellectual engagement, collaboration, and constructive dialogue among young people. It provided participants with an avenue to learn from one another while challenging them to think deeply about the responsibilities that come with leadership.
The Second Edition of the Ethical Leadership Essay Writing Competition was therefore not merely an academic writing exercise. It was an investment in the next generation of Ghanaian leaders, encouraging young minds to recognize that sustainable national development requires leaders who demonstrate integrity, accountability, excellence, courage, and a genuine commitment to the common good.
The Center for Ethical Leadership looks forward to building on this initiative and expanding its engagement with Senior High Schools across Ghana as it continues to promote ethical leadership, responsible citizenship, and excellence among young people.
By bringing together students from different Senior High Schools, the competition also promoted healthy intellectual engagement, collaboration, and constructive dialogue among young people. It provided participants with an avenue to learn from one another while challenging them to think deeply about the responsibilities that come with leadership.
The Second Edition of the Ethical Leadership Essay Writing Competition was therefore not merely an academic writing exercise. It was an investment in the next generation of Ghanaian leaders, encouraging young minds to recognize that sustainable national development requires leaders who demonstrate integrity, accountability, excellence, courage, and a genuine commitment to the common good.
The Center for Ethical Leadership looks forward to building on this initiative and expanding its engagement with Senior High Schools across Ghana as it continues to promote ethical leadership, responsible citizenship, and excellence among young people.
