By Isaac Israel SELASSIE
“Six decades of wisdom. Six decades of service. Six decades of national impact.”
Today, Ghana celebrates a rare gem Hon. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, on his 60th birthday. In a world often hungry for power but starved of compassion, Julius Debrah stands as a testament that true leadership is measured not by title, but by touch.
The Journey of a Servant Leader
From the serene township of Suhum, his journey began not with privilege but with perseverance. Born to James Debrah, a retired regional cocoa officer, and Kate Opokua, a trader, Julius learned early that a life of true worth is measured by service, not status.
His academic journey through Mpraeso Secondary School and Achimota School, culminating in a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ghana, laid the foundation for a remarkable career. This, combined with his early entrepreneurial spirit in the high-stakes world of Okaishie in the 1990s, provided him with invaluable insights into the challenges and resilience of Ghana’s private sector.
Born with a quiet resolve and a heart too large for personal ambition, Julius Debrah rose through the ranks of public service not by clamoring for recognition, but by showing up consistently, humbly, and effectively.
Those who have worked alongside him speak of a man who listens before he leads, who feels before he decides. “He doesn’t just hear you,” one longtime aide recalls. “He carries your burden.”
A Tapestry of Leadership Roles
From that first step, Julius Debrah rose steadily, not by scheming, but by serving well:
- Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority (2009–2013)
- Eastern Regional Minister (2013–2014)
- Minister for Local Government and Rural Development (2014–2015)– where he launched the National Sanitation Day and the national street-naming and property addressing system.
- Minister for Greater Accra Region (2015)
- Chief of Staff (2015–2017, and again from 2025 to present)
But titles are not the man. The man is what people whisper when he leaves the room.
Unconditional Love in Action
People who know Hon. Debrah personally will tell you his love is not a speech rather it is a lifestyle. When a staff member falls sick, he is the first at the hospital. When a community is forgotten, he becomes its loudest voice. His door has never been locked to the hurting, the hopeful, or the humble.
This is the man who, in the highest corridors of power, still remembers the names of the cleaners, the drivers, and the security men. He greets them not as subordinates, but as family. That is Julius Debrah a man who proves that love in leadership is not weakness; it is the strongest force for national transformation.
Service That Shapes a Nation
For six decades, his service has left fingerprints on every sector he touched. As Chief of Staff, he ensures government runs not like a machine, but like a home very efficient, yet empathetic. Under his watch, coordination has improved, crises have been met with calm, and the ordinary citizen has felt seen.
He once said, “If you cannot change someone’s life for the better, you have not truly served.” From agriculture reforms that put food on tables to local governance that empowered chiefs and communities, Julius Debrah has changed countless lives not for applause, but for impact.
An Inspiration to Every Ghanaian
To the young person who feels invisible, Julius Debrah says: Your time is coming. Serve where you are.
To the leader who feels tired, he says: Stay kind, it costs nothing but changes everything.
To all Ghanaians, he whispers through his actions: This nation is worth our best days.
At 60, Hon. Julius Debrah has not aged, he has ripened. His hair may be grayer, but his fire is brighter. He remains calm in chaos, strong in storms, and gentle in victory.
A Birthday Tribute
So today, April 24th on the occasion of FRI (Friendship, Respect, Integrity) DAY, we salute you, Hon. Julius Debrah.
Thank you for sixty years of showing us that power can be gracious, that service can be sacred, and that one man’s unconditional love can ripple across a nation.
Happy 60th Birthday, Chief of Staff.
May your next decades multiply your impact, deepen your joy, and inspire generations of Ghanaians to lead as you have led with wisdom, with service, and with love.
You are not just a public servant. You are a national treasure.
With heartfelt gratitude from Selassie Isaac Israel and Family.
By Isaac Israel SELASSIE
