Sir Sam Jonah Wins Ultimate Man Of The Year At The EMY Africa 2025 Awards

Sir Sam Jonah, the celebrated Ghanaian business magnate and trailblazer in Africa’s mining sector, has been named Ultimate Man of the Year at the Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Africa Awards 2025, held on November 22 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

The prestigious recognition honours his decades of transformative leadership, commitment to ethical corporate governance, and unwavering advocacy for Africa’s economic independence.

Now in its 10th year since its 2016 debut, the EMY Africa Awards continues to spotlight excellence across the continent—paying tribute to remarkable achievements in business, culture, sports, public service, and the creative industries.

This milestone edition, organised in partnership with UNESCO, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Diaspora Affairs Office, brought together more than 100 high-profile guests, including top CEOs, political leaders, and international stars. The night combined celebration with networking, artistic performances, and powerful messages of inspiration, all anchored in a theme of pan-African unity and youth empowerment.

Sir Sam Jonah, Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, has long been regarded as one of Africa’s most influential corporate leaders. His tenure as President and CEO of Ashanti Goldfields Company Ltd. (now AngloGold Ashanti) ushered in a new era of global expansion and strengthened local participation in the mining sector. His distinguished career has earned him major honours—including the Order of the Star of the Volta, Ghana’s highest civilian award—and board roles with multinational giants such as Deutsche Bank and Glencore.

The EMY citation praised his “pioneering leadership” and “profound impact on the continent’s socio-economic landscape.”

Delivering an inspiring acceptance speech, Jonah urged young Africans to embrace initiative and resilience: “Don’t wait for perfect conditions; start now!” He emphasised that leadership is ultimately about service—creating opportunities for others through mentorship, integrity, and purpose.

Here’s a refined rewrite:

He also lamented what he described as Africa’s “lack of courage to recognize and nurture talent,” urging the establishment of stronger systems to fully develop the continent’s human capital. Drawing on his own path marked by discipline and perseverance, he reminded the audience that “greatness is rarely born in comfort.”

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The ceremony honored a diverse lineup of trailblazers:

▪︎ Lifetime Achievement: Rev. Dr. Chris Hesse (cinematography pioneer and filmmaker).

▪︎ Music Performers: Samini, Joe Mettle, Efya, Ofori Amponsah, and KiDi lit up the stage.

▪︎ Red Carpet Stars: Adjetey Annang, Kalsoume Sinare, Roselyn Ngissah, Bucci Franklin, Dr. Sarpong, and Abeiku Santana.

Past EMY honorees have included legends like Stevie Wonder, Tony Elumelu, Abedi Pele, and Azumah Nelson—placing Jonah in elite company.

This win not only caps a decade of EMY’s mission to “inspire greatness and promote cultural pride” but also reinforces Jonah’s role as a beacon for ethical, youth-focused leadership in Africa.