Mrs Nana Akua Agyei, General Counsel of the Petroleum Commission, has stressed that strong character and values are essential for achieving and sustaining success in both academics and life.
Speaking at Chemu Senior High School during the Energy Personalities Outreach Programme, Mrs Agyei said while talent and intelligence may open doors to success, it is character that keeps them open.
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“A brilliant mind without good character can be very destructive either to others, to yourself, or both,” she stated.
The programme, organised by the Ghana Energy Awards in collaboration with the school, was themed “Impacting The Next Generation Leaders Today.”
Mrs Agyei described character as the foundation of moral and ethical behaviour, guiding decisions, shaping reputations, and defining legacies. She noted that discipline, courage, and humility form the core of sustainable academic and personal growth.
“Discipline enables self-management and consistent study habits; courage is needed to tell the truth even when it is hard; and humility allows you to learn from others and take responsibility for mistakes,” she added.
She urged students to view values as daily choices that gradually build their character, warning that a lack of values could make them vulnerable to societal pressures and short-term temptations.
Mrs Agyei also offered practical advice for character development, including goal setting, self-discipline, limiting social media distractions, continuous learning, and surrounding oneself with positive influences.
On his part, Mr Kojo Aduhene, Chief Executive Officer of LMI Holdings, described the energy sector as the lifeblood of every economy, adding that its growth depended on skilled human capital.
He urged students to explore diverse opportunities in the energy industry beyond engineering.
“There is a great deal of work to be done in the energy sector, and for those of you advancing to university, engineering is not a prerequisite,” he said.
“Our own guest speaker is a successful lawyer working directly in the energy space. As you navigate your career paths, please explore the full spectrum of these opportunities.”
