Business leader Sir Sam Jonah has recounted how his upbringing in the mining town of Obuasi shaped his understanding of inequality, humility and respect for others.

Speaking at the 2026 TrueLife Experience at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on November 5, he reflected on the social and economic inequalities he observed growing up in the mining community.

Held under the theme “The Audacity to Dare”, the two-day event brought together business executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, professionals and emerging leaders to discuss personal development, leadership and purposeful action.

Sir Sam Jonah said although wealth was being generated through gold mining in Obuasi, he observed that the people undertaking some of the hardest work did not necessarily have a corresponding say in how that wealth was managed.

“I was born in Chile at the military camp. But Obuasi was the world in which I grew up. For those who don’t know Obuasi, it is a mining town, gold mining town,” he said.

“Growing up, I could see that wealth was being produced around us. I could also see that the people doing some of the hardest work, they didn’t necessarily have the greatest say about it. I didn’t have the language to describe all the inequalities I was observing, but I could see them.”

Lessons from his parents

Sir Sam Jonah also credited his parents with instilling values that have guided his personal and professional life, particularly humility and respect for others.

He said his mother taught him that personal achievements should never be used as an excuse for arrogance or disrespectful behaviour.

“My mother had no patience for arrogance. You could achieve something impressive but that is not the right or permission to become unpleasant. It certainly did not excuse you from treating another person with respect,” he said.

He also recalled his father’s advice that people do not choose the circumstances into which they are born, and that differences in opportunities should encourage understanding rather than a sense of superiority.

“My father reminded me that the circumstances to which we were born are largely an accident. You didn’t select your parents. Our opportunities or advantages may make our journey easier,” he said.

He added that this understanding should make people cautious about looking down on others who may not have enjoyed similar opportunities.

Conduct reflects upbringing

The business leader further emphasised the importance of character, saying a person’s behaviour reflects the values instilled in them.

“There was a very powerful idea which was on our home. People ask about the home you come from. Your conduct says something about your upbringing,” he said.

The 2026 TrueLife Experience featured other speakers, including mindset mentor Nekeya Parks and Edward Effah, founder of Fidelity Group.