Build relationships that matter – Sir Sam Jonah advises Ghanaian youth

On Saturday, June 7, 2025, Ghanaian business leader Sir Sam Jonah spoke to young people. He provided a blueprint for success beyond academics and traditional careers.

As Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), he delivered the commencement speech at Academic City University. He emphasized that relationships are crucial for aspiring leaders and nation-builders.

"Let me now speak to something too often underestimated: the power of relationships," he said. He challenged the focus on individual accomplishments.

Sir Sam, Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital in Johannesburg, urged graduates to build good relationships. "Be intentional about making a good impression," he advised.

He warned not to take any meeting for granted. "You are in a room full of possibility," he noted. This potential comes from both talents and the people around you.

To illustrate his point, Sir Sam shared examples from the tech world. Facebook was started by Mark Zuckerberg with college friends at Harvard. Today, Meta is valued over $1 trillion due to this collaboration.

Microsoft was built by childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Its current market value exceeds $3 trillion, showing how foundational friendships matter.

Google was launched by Larry Page and Sergey Brin from a Stanford research project. Alphabet's market cap is over $2 trillion, highlighting innovation through academic collaboration.

He also mentioned YouTube and Airbnb as examples of ventures born from peer connections. These companies represent trillions in economic value and impact billions globally.

The lesson is simple: "Never underestimate the people around you." Your classmate today could be your co-founder tomorrow or your investor later on.

Sir Sam encouraged Ghanaian youth to network intentionally but authentically. "Build real relationships — not just transactional ones," he said.

His advice included sharing ideas and collaborating with others. Strive to be someone others want to work with, he suggested.

In closing, Sir Sam reiterated his main message: "It’s not just what you know; it’s who you grow with."

He quoted Porter Galle: "Your network is your net worth." This left graduates understanding that their connections will be as valuable as any qualification they earn.