The National Boardroom Governance Summit, convened by Professor Douglas Boateng and PanAvest International, brought together distinguished board members, corporate leaders, governance experts, and board executives to explore key issues shaping effective leadership and governance in boardrooms across Ghana and beyond.
The one-day summit, held at the Labadi Beach Hotel on October 14, 2025, under the theme, “Daring to Be Different: The Role of the Chairperson in Effective Boardroom Governance”, featured three thought-provoking panel discussions that examined leadership alignment, communication, and the evolving role of the board secretary in modern governance.
The opening panel discussed “The role of chairman in effective boardroom governance.” This discussion enlightened the participants on the importance of the board chair to the success of the organization.
Chief Alhassan Andani, Founder and Executive Chairman of LVSafrica Limited, in his submission stated that the most important things needed for an organization to grow and be productive is accountability and consequence management. To him, accountability is the bedrock of every successful business, hence must be in place if anyone wants his or her business to grow.
“What makes any group or institution thrive no matter how good the board is, is accountability and discipline. Where is accountability and shareholders would hold you accountable, people do well but where there is a weak accountability as we unfortunately have in the public sector, boards and CEOs can get away with things that are not the best,” he said
He continued by saying that accountability, being the first demand from board members to be effective is not only the demands of the shareholders but also the demands of corporate governance and company law.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by corporate leaders, Alex Apau Dadey, Executive Chairman, KGL Group highlighted that the practice of enterprise in the private sector generates a different outcome as compared to the public sector, hence he advised government should not venture into enterprise.
“Philosophically, I don’t believe government should be in enterprise because the practice of enterprise is done the same way, whether in public or private sector. There is also the conflict between the board and the CEO because the CEO was appointed before the board. The private sector is governed better than the public sector in Ghana. Another challenge is the generational vision for company growth,” he mentioned.
Stephanie Miezan, President of GNCCI stressed that there must be a strict adherence to the affirmative action bill to ensure proper female representation on boards.
“The affirmation action is one of the most important things we need to improve and increase the women representation on boards. Truth be told, when a woman leads a nation or an organization, it grows. As I always say, when you give a man money, he marries more but when you give the woman authority, she makes things better. As men, we need to give the women authority to lead us because they can and they will make the nations and companies better.”
He added that effective communication is a critical aspect that board chairs must leverage to bring along their members and the executive.
The other panel shifted focus to the often-overlooked but indispensable and evolving influence of board secretaries as pivotal figures in modern corporate governance. This panel discussion was on the topic, “The Silent Architect: Redefining the Role of the Board Secretary,” which sought to discuss and reveal the powerful influence of board secretaries despite their position.
Opening the session, Dr. Awuraa Abenaa Safo-Boakye, Chief Legal Officer and company board secretary, BOG, described board secretaries as the “conscience of the company, chief governance officer, and chief of staff to the board chair.” She emphasized the multifaceted nature of the role, which blends administrative precision, legal oversight, and strategic advisory responsibilities.
Adding on, Prof. Albert Puni, Dean, Distance Learning (UPSA) described the secretary as a “silent leader” whose role extends beyond compliance to strategic guidance. “Secretaries influence board decisions through institutional memory and diplomacy. They help ensure harmony and continuity in leadership.”
From a legal and ethical standpoint, Efua Ghartey, President for Ghana Bar Association, urged professionals to maintain integrity and independence in their duties stressing adherence to the Companies Act and governance codes.
“Your principles should be known by all and guided by the law. The moment you find yourself in the pocket of the chair, you lose your saltiness.”
Lily Acquaye Partner, JLD & MB Legal Consultancy, highlighted the importance of proactivity and courage in the face of authority. “You shouldn’t wait for people to approach you. Be proactive in bringing matters to their attention and educating them on their responsibilities.”
The 2025 National Boardroom Governance Summit reaffirmed the growing importance of ethical leadership, inclusivity, and innovation in governance. Across the three panel discussions, participants gained actionable insights on fostering alignment between boards and management, strengthening governance structures, and redefining the roles that sustain organizational excellence.
