Leadership

Hangout

Eusbett Hotel Expands from 18 to 250 Rooms, Diversifies into Agribusiness and Manufacturing

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Eusbett Hotel in Sunyani has expanded from an 18-room facility to a 250-room hospitality establishment while diversifying into multiple business ventures, including water production, agribusiness, and automobile services, according to its General Manager, Mr. Robert Mensah. Speaking on the Springboard Hangout with Comfort Ocran, Mr. Robert Mensah said the growth reflects years of deliberate expansion and value-driven leadership since he assumed management more than two decades ago. “I took over when it was an 18-bedroom hotel. Now we have developed to a 250-room hotel,” he said. Mr. Robert Mensah explained that beyond accommodation, the hotel has established several supporting businesses to enhance operations and create additional revenue streams. These include a water production unit, where the company treats water from its own boreholes, with plans to expand to the commercial market after securing Food and Drugs Authority approval. The company has also expanded into yogurt and juice production to support its hospitality services. “Currently we are using only in the hotel, but we have the accreditation to sell outside. Very soon we will be moving outside,” he said. In addition, Eusbett Hotel operates a fuel station under the Goil brand, which he said was recognized as the overall best fuel station in Ghana within its first two years of operation. The hotel has also invested in agriculture, including a cattle ranch and vegetable farms that supply produce such as tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, and onions for its kitchens. Mr. Robert Mensah added that the company is part of a network of authorized service centres for Toyota Ghana and has emerged as a top performer among the centres over the past five years. Beyond his role at the hotel, Mr. Robert Mensah has also established his own business in cleaning services and construction supplies. He said his cleaning business started with a single bank contract and has since expanded, employing several staff. “At the end of the month, they paid me, and the relationship was good. Over time, the cleaners became my staff, and currently my senior supervisor started as a janitor,” he said. He noted that maintaining transparency with his employer has been key to balancing his corporate role and personal business interests. “One is full disclosure. I made my CEO aware of everything that I’m doing. The second is not to do anything that competes with what I am originally employed for,” he explained. He encouraged young people to cultivate mentorship and develop an entrepreneurial mindset while maintaining integrity in their professional lives. “Seek for mentors and build the intrapreneurship attitude in you. You can work for somebody and build something around you but declare it to your CEO and ensure that you do not compete with your organization,” he advised. About Springboard HangoutSpringboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centered show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences to educate, entertain, and equip the next generation. Springboard Road Show Foundation Marketing and Communications Genevieve Mensah

Virtual University

Ghana’s Political Future Hinges on Integrity and Accountability – Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu

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Speaking on a recent Springboard your virtual university broadcast, Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu delivered a critique of Ghana’s political landscape, stressing the urgent need for integrity and accountability in national leadership. He drew attention to a troubling pattern in which politicians from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are appointed to public office despite facing ongoing investigations for alleged corruption. “I am not saying they are guilty because I don’t know. But I believe investigations should be concluded before such appointments are made,” he stated. “Integrity isn’t about shortcuts. Let the system determine credibility, not the ruling party.” Beyond corruption, Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu condemned the culture of hostile political campaigning, particularly when it involves threats to the livelihoods of opponents. “How can destroying other people’s livelihoods be a campaign message?” he asked, urging citizens to hold leaders accountable. His message reinforced a call for a new political paradigm anchored in ethical governance and citizen responsibility. He urged Ghanaians to be bold in questioning authority and to demand higher standards from those in power. “Integrity matters. Leadership matters. The future of Ghana depends on a society brave enough to insist on both,” he concluded. This address stands as a wake-up call to the nation, reminding citizens that Ghana’s political future rests not only on the leaders elected, but also on the values that society chooses to uphold. About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, your Virtual University is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The ongoing Thinkathon series brings together thinkers and leaders from various fields to explore the power of ideas in shaping society. By Genevieve Mensah

Virtual University

Faith and Godliness Must Shape Everyday Life Says Methodist Presiding Bishop

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Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, says godliness should not be separated from daily living but must guide how people build society and relate with one another. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University, with Rev. Albert Ocran as part of the ongoing 17th anniversary Thinkathon series on the power of ideas in Faith and Society, he said that compartmentalizing spirituality and everyday life weakens society. “We have compartmentalized our lives. Our spirituality is here, our everyday life is there. We have not put the bridge between the two. If we want to build a good society, godliness is essential because godliness encompasses all the virtues that make you human,” he explained. He advised young people to apply themselves fully in whatever field they are in, whether academics, apprenticeship, or agriculture. He stressed that friendships and relationships must also be chosen wisely. “If the young man in your life is asking for sexual favors or taking you away from your studies to go to a club, drop the relationship,” he cautioned. He also emphasized the importance of self-control as a leadership quality, warning that a lack of discipline in small things often leads to bigger failures. “If you don’t control your sense of hearing, you will listen to gossips, and that is the downfall of a lot of leaders. They enjoy gossip,” he said. On marriage, he urged couples to avoid transactional attitudes and instead invest in one another to build stronger unions. “In a good marriage, whether you are a man or a woman, you think about how to improve the relationship. You are sowing into it, and you will reap what you sow,” he said. According to him, Christian teaching on humanity emphasizes the fallen nature of humanity, which must be redeemed to align life with God’s purpose. About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, Your Virtual University is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The ongoing Thinkathon series brings together thinkers and leaders from various fields to explore the power of ideas in shaping society. By Faustina Yeboah

Virtual University

Popular Culture is Key to Driving Social Change

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Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo, of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, says that popular culture plays a decisive role in shaping society and sparking social change. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University, with Rev. Albert Ocran as part of the ongoing 17th anniversary Thinkaton series, Prof. Ampofo highlighted the importance of ideas, mentorship, and structured philanthropy in building a better future. “Ideas are the most powerful because without ideas, you don’t move, you’re stuck. You have to be thinking and dreaming about something to move somewhere,” she said. She emphasized that young people are central to this process, adding that mentoring them provides fulfillment and hope for the future. “Working with young people gives me a lot of energy. Not only do they take what you give them, but they take it further,” she noted. Prof. Ampofo also drew attention to the everyday acts of philanthropy within African societies, pointing out the need for a more structured approach. “Everybody is paying somebody’s school fees, hospital bills, funeral donations…but we are not counting it. We are doing philanthropy but it needs to be formalized and connected to science and policy,” she explained. According to her, social development must be measured by how vulnerable groups are treated. “It should be our benchmark how are we taking care of the most vulnerable?” she stressed. She further underscored the importance of imagination and vision in driving innovation. “You cannot develop if you’re not dreaming. To innovate your imagination has to be activated,” she said. About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The ongoing Thinkaton series brings together thinkers and leaders from various fields to explore the power of ideas in shaping society. By Faustina Yeboah

Virtual University

17 Years On, Springboard Still Graduates a Nation of Doers

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Springboard marks its 17th year with Thinkathon, a seven-week ideas series inviting Ghanaians to think boldly, act responsibly, and build a culture of integrity. Seventeen years ago, a simple on-air conversation at Joy FM became a movement. Springboard, Your Virtual University, hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran, has grown into one of Ghana’s most trusted platforms for thought leadership and practical capacity building. Reflecting on the journey, Rev. Ocran said “This broadcast was born on the evening of August 4, 2008, when Comfort and I sat in the studios of Joy FM to discuss building a good society. Seventeen years later, it is remarkable to reflect on how far we have comewith the broadcast, the number of platforms it now serves, and the millions of lives it has positively impacted. To God alone be the glory. We thank all our sponsors, stakeholders, listeners, and viewers. You make Springboard, the Virtual University.” Across the years, Springboard has hosted some of the nation’s most influential voices, including Pastor Mensa Otabil, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle, Dr. Patrick Awuah, Bernard Avle, Kwami Sefa Kayi, Azumah Nelson, and Anita Erskine, sharing ideas that shape mindsets and inspire action in business, governance, academia, sports, and faith. The impact is echoed by national figures. Actor Adjetey Anang notes, “What Springboard Virtual University gives you is social skills. It helps you set yourself apart and be street-smart.” Veteran stateswoman Joyce Aryee calls the programme “relevant” and “timely.” And Professor Pikay Richardson urges young people to tune in, emphasizing Springboard’s role in democratizing knowledge: “In the knowledge economy, knowledge is power…this is one programme where you can actually get knowledge, virtually for free.” To mark the anniversary, Springboard has launched Thinkathon, a seven-week series convening experts to test bold ideas for national progress. For nearly two decades, Springboard has functioned as a “national classroom,” translating insight into action for listeners across generations. It airs every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. on Joy FM and Springboard Zone (YouTube), and at 9:00 p.m. on Joy News TV. With Thinkathon, Springboard widens the conversation, equipping Ghanaians with ideas, practical guidance, and the motivation to lead in their communities and workplaces.

Virtual University

Moral Leadership Starts with Example, Not Words, Says Prof. Justice Bawole

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Prof. Justice Bawole, the former Dean of the University of Ghana Business School, says authentic leadership is not about giving orders but living in a way that others can follow. According to him, people watch a leader’s actions more than they listen to their words, and lasting influence comes from setting an example, not issuing constant instructions. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University, with Rev. Albert Ocran as part of the ongoing Thinkathon: The Power of Ideas to Shape Society series, Prof. Bawole urged the nation to shift its focus from solely targeting wrongdoers to promoting a culture that showcases and rewards good conduct. “Many people are living right, protecting what they are given, and not destroying others. Unfortunately, we hardly talk about them,” he said. “We have saturated the environment with a toxic narrative of corruption, and good people have gone into hibernation. How do we model young people into becoming white when all we show them is red?” Prof. Bawole argued that altering Ghana’s moral climate demands more than sporadic punishments. He advocated for a continuous process of civic education to rekindle the national conscience. He also proposed three key interventions: conducting moral and ethical audits for public sector leaders, consistently celebrating good people in the public eye, and forming bonds with like-minded individuals who can offer moral support in challenging environments. Drawing on his leadership journey, Prof. Bawole emphasized that influence stems more from setting an example than from issuing instructions. “People watch what you do more than what you say. If they cannot find an alibi in you, they will try to do the right things, at least when you are around,” he noted. He added that leadership demands firm personal conviction and moral discipline. “If I enter politics and I change, then it is me who changed, not the politics. Leaders have to lead and not be led.” About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The ongoing Thinkathon series brings together thinkers and leaders from various fields to explore the power of ideas in shaping society. By Faustina Yeboah

Virtual University

“Every Cancer Patient Deserves a Special Nurse” – Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti

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2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award winner, Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, is calling for greater recognition of cancer nursing as a dedicated specialty within healthcare, saying patients battling such conditions deserve focused, expert care. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University with Rev. Albert Ocran, the Oncology Nurse Specialist stressed, “Every patient, and by extension every cancer patient, deserves to be taken care of by a special nurse. There is a need for us to realize cancer nursing as a specialty.” The conversation formed part of the broadcast’s ongoing Changing Narratives series, which highlights Ghanaians who are reshaping the national story through bold and impactful work. The award-winning specialist used the platform to highlight the emotional weight many nurses carry in silence. “Sometimes you see yourself in your patient,” she said. “Depending on the state they come in, it can be emotionally draining. You go home carrying what they are going through.” As an Oncology Nurse Specialist, she stated that her Christian faith is key to how she copes and provides comfort. “Sometimes a patient will ask, ‘Will I survive?’ and because both of us are Christians, I’ll tell them, ‘God will do it.’ I’ve found myself praying for patients. Faith is what keeps me going.” She also shared the core qualities that drive her work and what she believes every great nurse must have: compassion, skill, and faith. “Compassion gives you the drive. Skills give you the ability to deliver. But faith keeps you grounded and strong,” she explained. Reflecting on her journey, the award-winning nurse said her passion for nursing was shaped early by her environment and upbringing. “Growing up, I’d follow family members to the hospital. I watched nurses speak with authority, care, and calm, and people listened. I admired that. I wanted to be that.” Raised by parents of modest means, Mrs. Oyoe Ohene Oti credits her father’s belief in education for helping her pursue her calling. “My dad was a security officer and my mum a trader. He used to say the best thing you can give your children, apart from God, is education. He didn’t get to attend university even after gaining admission, but he made sure all his children did.” She described the award experience as a journey of visibility and purpose. “It’s opened up opportunities to meet amazing people and tell our story. This is what nurses are doing to impact the world.” About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, Your Virtual University is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Joy FM and 9 PM on Joy News TV. The show provides thought leadership, practical life lessons, and transformational conversations with trailblazers across sectors. The current Changing Narratives series spotlights Ghanaians making bold moves to rewrite the national story through innovation and impact.