Discipline, ethical leadership essential pillars for devt – Dr Ofori Sarpong

THE Chief Executive Officer of Special Ice Company Limited, Special Investments Ltd and Special Homes Ltd, Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, has emphasised that integrity, discipline and ethical leadership remain essential pillars for sustainable national development.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Ghanaian Times, the renowned industrialist said meaningful progress could only be achieved when both public and private sector leaders commit to ethical conduct and responsible decision-making, noting that national transformation “begins with personal discipline and integrity.”

He underscored the central role of integrity, discipline and ethical leadership in Ghana’s quest for sustainable national development. Dr Ofori Sarpong, whose corporate influence spans manufacturing, real estate, finance and media, stressed that enduring progress was rooted in personal discipline and ethical conduct.

“If you build with integrity, you can build something that lasts; leadership must begin with self-governance and commitment to the ‘small things’ that shape individual character,” he stated.

A product of PRESEC, Legon, and a Chartered Accountant with a Master’s Degree in Finance and Investment Management from Salford University in the United Kingdom, Dr Ofori Sarpong has risen to become one of the country’s most accomplished private sector players.

He currently serves as Global Chairman and Board Chairman of PRESEC–Legon, and holds honorary fellowships with the Chartered Institute of Credit Management Ghana and the Chartered Institute of Tax Law and Forensic Accountants.

Reflecting on the growth of Special Ice Company Limited, he explained that the brand was founded on a simple but unmet need — access to clean, well-packaged drinking water.

“Ghanaians deserve quality,” Dr Sarpong emphasised.

“Today, the company operates multiple production plants across the country, employs thousands, and has diversified into juices and modern beverage lines, all guided by strict health and technological standards,” he highlighted.

His investments in construction and real estate through Special Investments Ltd. and Special Homes Ltd. have similarly focused on structural integrity and modern architectural excellence.

According to him, quality housing “changes how people live, work and dream”, and contributes directly to national development.

Beyond his personal enterprises, Dr Sarpong said he has played key roles in establishing Best Point Savings and Loans, U2 Salt Ltd. and United Television (UTV), which continue to influence Ghana’s finance, industrial and media landscapes.

He cautioned that “business without ethics is a ticking time bomb”, insisting that Ghana’s private sector must be anchored on transparency and professionalism.

Known for his quiet but consistent philanthropy, he has supported education, healthcare and faith-based initiatives, describing giving back as “an obligation, not an event.” His recent donations of laptops to PRESEC Legon and the University of Ghana, he said, form part of his commitment to youth empowerment.

Looking ahead, he projected that Ghana’s growth would depend on “industrial courage”, enhanced collaboration between government and the private sector, and greater confidence in the potential of Ghanaian youth.

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