Business leader Sir Sam Jonah has urged individuals, particularly those in positions of influence, to be mindful of how their actions affect others, arguing that a person’s true legacy is determined by the lives they touch and the memories they leave behind.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 TrueLife Experience, held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, he described legacy as a concept often discussed after a person has died, when they can no longer influence how their life is remembered.
“It is a funeral word. It is what they say in the tributes, after the second hymn, when you are in no position to correct the facts. So when I was asked to speak on legacy, I did what any sensible man of my vintage would do. I checked my pulse,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Sir Sam Jonah said he approached the subject with caution, explaining that individuals cannot dictate how history or other people will ultimately judge their lives.
“It can sound as though we are entitled to write the final judgement on our own lives. We are not,” he stated.
He noted that different groups of people would remember an individual based on their personal experiences and interactions with them. Employees, for instance, may remember whether they were treated fairly, while young professionals may judge a leader by the opportunities provided for their growth.
Similarly, family members may remember whether someone was present when they needed them, while communities may assess leaders based on whether they fulfilled their promises.
“Those memories may be quite different from the account you would have written about yourself,” he observed.
Reflecting on his leadership experience at Ashanti Goldfields, Sir Sam Jonah said one of his greatest sources of satisfaction was witnessing the professional growth and achievements of people he had mentored and worked alongside.
He explained that seeing former colleagues take on leadership responsibilities, demonstrate integrity and create opportunities for others reinforced his belief that meaningful influence extends beyond one’s immediate achievements.
“When I see someone I have mentored exercise judgement, lead with integrity or give an opportunity to another person, I feel that something worthwhile has travelled further,” he said.
The renowned business leader also acknowledged the influence of his parents, describing the values they instilled in him as a lasting foundation for his personal and professional decisions.
He said their guidance, discipline and expectations had shaped his understanding of responsibility, even though they never explicitly framed their parenting in terms of building a legacy.
“When I remember my parents, I realise how much of their influence remains in decisions I still make. They did not need to use the word ‘legacy’. They raised a son. They corrected him. They gave him standards by which to examine himself. Many years later, I am still drawing on what they gave me,” he reflected.
On the theme of courage and ambition, Sir Sam Jonah emphasised that daring to pursue opportunities must be balanced with preparation, sound judgement and an awareness of the consequences of one’s decisions.
He encouraged participants not to allow uncertainty about the future to prevent them from taking meaningful steps towards their goals.
“The audacity to dare has taken different forms at different stages of my life. But this much I have learnt: You do not have to see the whole journey before you take the next responsible step,” he said.
“Prepare yourself. Listen. Take that step with care. And remember the people whose lives will be touched by where you place your feet. That is what I would leave with you,” he added.
The 2026 TrueLife Experience, organised under the theme “The Audacity to Dare,” brought together business executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, professionals and emerging leaders to explore courage, personal development and purposeful leadership.
