Dignitaries during the unveiling of the book
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has advised Ghanaians to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to national development while they are still alive.
He made this call at the launch of ‘Building Confidence, Restoring Strength’, a book by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Investment Bank (NIB), Chief Dr. Doli-Wura Awushi Abdul-Malik Zakaria, in Accra on July 21, 2026.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Bagbin said Ghana could not build a great future without recognising those who had laid the nation’s foundations.
“A nation cannot have a great future if we fail to honour those who have built the foundation upon which we stand today. A nation grows stronger when its members remember its heroes,” he said.
He asked that integrity, excellence and sacrifice be celebrated while the individuals behind those achievements were still alive.
“We must become a people who honour good deeds while those who perform them are still with us,” he added.
Speaker Bagbin described the book as an important contribution to Ghana’s leadership literature, saying it documented how committed leadership could restore confidence in institutions and preserve valuable lessons for future generations. He noted that institutions are built by committed people rather than physical infrastructure.
“Institutions do not become great because of buildings or policies alone. They become great through people who live with purpose and who selflessly invest in others,” he stated.
He went on to quote a passage from the book, saying, “The true measure of leadership is not only about what we achieve, but about the lives we shape and the opportunities we create for others.”
He also highlighted the importance of stewardship, describing leadership as a sacred trust.
“Your institution is not yours. You are holding it for a period. Hold it well and pass it on stronger than you found it,” he advised.
Speaker Bagbin further argued that public confidence in institutions remained central to Ghana’s democratic development, warning that democracy weakens when citizens lose trust in public institutions.
Using the National Investment Bank (NIB) as an example, he said institutional revival depended more on discipline, sound systems and effective leadership than financial support alone.
For his part, Nene Drolor Olorogun Bosso Adamtey I, echoed Speaker Bagbin’s call, saying Ghana must deliberately cultivate a culture of recognising exemplary leadership.
“A nation grows stronger when its members remember its heroes. A nation inspires future leaders when it celebrates integrity, excellence, sacrifice and faithful service,” he said.
He described Chief Dr. Zakaria as a leader whose impact continued to shape lives and institutions.
“Let us honour a man whose story is still unfolding, whose contribution has already impacted many lives and whose greatest legacy is still being written,” he said.
The Shai Mantse observed that the lessons contained in ‘Building Confidence, Restoring Strength’ extended beyond the story of one individual, serving as a guide for future generations of leaders.
“This book tells exactly that story. It documents how committed leadership restores confidence in a situation that many had written off. It preserves those lessons for future generations,” he stressed.
He also highlighted the principle of stewardship, urging leaders to leave institutions stronger than they found them.
“Your institution is not yours. You are holding it for a period. Hold it well and pass it on stronger than you found it. If every leader embraces this principle, our institutions and indeed our nation will be stronger,” he added.
By Vera Owusu Sarpong