Business leader and strategic advisor Tucci Ivowi has officially launched a two-book series on leadership, resilience and faith, introducing the SMARTER Leadership™ framework to an audience of approximately 150 distinguished guests at SOHO, Accra.
Chaired by renowned business leader Sir Sam Jonah, the event brought together former President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, senior business executives, public officials, academics, media personalities, traditional leaders and clergy for an evening dedicated to the principles of effective leadership in challenging times.
The two books, SMARTER Leadership™: The Framework – 7 Principles for Leading in Tough Times and SMARTER Leadership™, Vol. 2: Faith Behind the Framework, draw on Ivowi’s more than 25 years of leadership experience across the UK, Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Together, they explore seven leadership principles designed to help leaders navigate uncertainty, make difficult decisions, build resilient teams and lead with integrity and purpose.
Sir Sam Jonah, who chaired the programme, offered a personal endorsement of both the author and her work, emphasising the importance of credibility in leadership writing.
“When someone writes a book about leadership, we are entitled to ask a simple question: how closely does the life of the author resemble the lessons on the page? In Tucci’s case, I can offer a personal answer. The qualities she commends to others are qualities I have seen her practice. That gives this book a credibility that no amount of elegant language could manufacture,” he said.
He further highlighted the importance of examining leadership under pressure, when convictions and values face their greatest tests. He noted that the books offer valuable lessons for leaders everywhere, particularly young African professionals seeking examples of meaningful experience and sound judgement within their own environment.
“Tucci has contributed to that record. In doing so, she has extended her influence beyond the teams she has led directly,” Sir Sam added.
The launch, which was officially declared by H.E. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, featured reviews of both books by distinguished professionals. Yvette Atekpe, Founder and CEO of Dynamic Data Solutions Ltd, reviewed SMARTER Leadership™: The Framework, while broadcaster and media personality Bernard Avle reviewed SMARTER Leadership™, Vol. 2: Faith Behind the Framework.
The programme also featured music, spoken word and a reading and address by the author.
Among the distinguished attendees were former and current Electoral Commissioners Madam Charlotte Osei and Madam Jean Mensah; former Managing Directors of the Ghana Stock Exchange Kofi Yamoah and Ekow Afedzie; the Board Chair of Enterprise Trustees Mr Keli Gadzekpo; the Managing Director of Unilever Ghana Mr. Chris Wulff-Cesar; the former Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana, Mrs Freda Duplan;Group CEO of Omni Group, Mr. Michael Zormelo and the Chairman of CH Group. Guests from the public sector included Ghana’s first female Chief of Staff, Hon. Frema Osei Opare, former Attorney General Hon. Godfred Dame, and former Minister for Food and Agriculture Hon. Dr. Bryan Acheampong. From academia, senior academic and university board representatives, covering the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast, China European International Business School (CEIBS) Africa and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Ambassadors and civil society leaders, as well as prominent media personalities Nana Aba Anamoah, Berla Mundi, Ameyaw Debrah also attended, alongside many other distinguished personalities.
The breadth of representation underscored the cross-sector relevance of the books and the growing importance of values-driven leadership across business, public service, academia and society.
Leadership lessons grounded in experience and faith
SMARTER Leadership™: The Framework – 7 Principles for Leading in Tough Times provides practical guidance for established and aspiring leaders navigating uncertainty, organisational challenges and consequential decisions. Drawing on Ivowi’s professional experiences and insights from accomplished leaders across sectors, the book connects leadership principles with real-life application, key lessons and questions for reflection.
The second volume, SMARTER Leadership™, Vol. 2: Faith Behind the Framework, explores the same seven principles through Scripture, biblical teachings and personal reflection. It is written for leaders seeking to integrate their Christian faith into their decisions, relationships, professional responsibilities and responses to adversity.
Through the two books, Ivowi seeks to bridge the gap between leadership theory and practice, offering lessons on building strong teams, making difficult decisions, sustaining trust and turning setbacks into opportunities for growth.
“The intention is to encourage leaders to reflect honestly on how they lead, the values that guide their decisions and the influence they have on the people around them,” Ivowi said. “Leadership is not simply about the position we occupy or the results we deliver. It is also about how we navigate difficult seasons, how we treat people and the legacy we leave behind.”
The SMARTER Leadership™ framework comprises seven principles: Sincere, Motivated, Artistic, Resilient, Tough, Empathetic and Respected. Together, they provide a practical lens through which leaders can examine their character, decisions, relationships and effectiveness, particularly when circumstances are difficult.
Strong endorsements from business, faith and academia
The author and the books have received endorsements from respected voices across leadership, business, faith and education, including notably, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, Executive Director of Salt & Light Ministries, Mr. Francis Owusu, International President of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), Dr Mrs Edith Dankwa, Chair of Business & Financial Times, described SMARTER Leadership™: The Framework and Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu of the GIMPA School of Public Service and Governance.
About Tucci Ivowi
Tucci Ivowi is Managing Partner of Global Village Consortium and Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Association of Commodities Exchanges. She is the former Chief Executive Officer and a founding member of the Ghana Commodity Exchange.
With more than 25 years of experience across the UK, Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, Ivowi has held senior leadership positions spanning marketing, communications, strategy and general management in both the public and private sectors. At Nestlé Central & West Africa, she became the first female and first Ghanaian Business Executive Officer.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK and Ghana, Ivowi holds two degrees in Politics and French and Political Science from Sussex UK and Sciences Po Aix-En-Provence respectively, and an MBA from Warwick Business School and has contributed to leadership discussions through platforms including the Harvard Business Review.
Her experience across industries, markets and leadership roles shaped her understanding of the personal and professional demands of leadership, including the need for resilience, empathy, sound judgement and the courage to make difficult decisions. These insights inspired her to develop the SMARTER Leadership™ framework and create a platform for sharing practical leadership lessons with current and emerging leaders.
Both books are available now at smarterleadership.myshopify.com.
