MTN Veep Ebenezer Asante Champions Ethical Leadership
Senior MTN Group Vice President Ebenezer Asante is calling for a major change in how companies lead. He wants businesses to build leadership around honesty and respect for people. Mr. Asante spoke at the 2026 Arganbright Partners Convergence Conference in Accra. He believes the biggest challenge for companies today is not making money but having a clear purpose.
Mr. Asante explained that many businesses focus only on growing profits. They often forget how their choices affect people and the world around them. "The real issue we face now is not a lack of profit; it is a problem with our focus," he stated. He stressed that the important question is not just how much value is created, but who benefits and at what cost to people's dignity.
To solve this problem, Mr. Asante introduced his "Senseholder Value Accountability Framework." This is a practical plan to help companies improve their ethical direction. The framework asks leaders to consider three key questions. How do others see their company? What important issues are they missing? How do they act when things get tough?
These questions aim to make company governance more than just following rules. It should become a thoughtful practice based on strong values. "Leading with ethics must be done on purpose. You must think about it all the time, especially when things are unclear or difficult," Mr. Asante said.
He also pointed out that greed, the desire for power, and the pursuit of fame often lead to ethical failures in companies. Business leaders must be watchful, he warned. Uncontrolled ambition can easily damage a company's values and break public trust. "These forces are quiet but very strong. If leaders don't manage them carefully, they will influence decisions in ways that hurt integrity," he added.
Mr. Asante also asked for more inclusion in how companies are managed. He wants employees to have a real say in ethical discussions within their organizations. He believes that creating an environment where people can speak up without fear is essential for building strong and trusted companies. "Ethics cannot just come from the top. It must be lived by everyone, at all levels of the company," he stated.
He encouraged leaders to set an example with their actions, not just with company policies. Companies must be built intentionally to protect dignity and create lasting value. The African idea of Ubuntu, meaning "I am because we are," can guide ethical leadership. Ethical leadership is not an impossible dream but a steady effort to do what's best for oneself while being responsible to others, the company, and society.
The Arganbright Partners Convergence Conference was organized by the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International. It brought together experts from universities and businesses. This event explored the changing role of governance in today's economy. Notable attendees included Professor Stephen Adei, former Rector of GIMPA, and Mansa Nettey, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana. Kwaku Bediako, CEO of Chase Petroleum, also attended.
Mr. Asante was joined by other MTN Ghana officials. These included Joseph Dogbe, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, and Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Acting General Manager for Sustainability. Abdul Latif Issahaku, Manager for Data and Devices, also attended the event. The conference highlighted the growing importance of corporate responsibility beyond financial results. MTN Group itself reported strong results for 2025, increasing its dividend by 45% and presenting a new platform strategy. The company also engaged in training for public officials on economic governance, showing its commitment to broader development.