Senior Fellow at the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Ato Coleman, has called for a shift in how leadership and public policy are approached in Africa, arguing that technical competence alone cannot deliver sustainable and inclusive development. He said effective leadership must be rooted in personal values, emotional intelligence, stakeholder engagement and disciplined execution. Speaking at SYPALA 2026 on the topic “What are the leadership, skills and policy priorities needed to position Africa for inclusive and resilient growth,” Mr Coleman said leaders must first develop a strong understanding of the values that guide their decisions before attempting to influence others or implement public policies.