Features
Leadership of excellence required in Africa
The National House of Chiefs operating in the kingdom of Ali Baba community was made up of various leaders who did what they could to develop their kingdom. The kingdom was made up of 12 villages, each under a leader or chief who was expected to develop his own village with the support of his own people.
They came together in form of a group to form a National House of Chiefs like what we have in Ghana today. Some of the chiefs were very progressive but others were not because they could not influence their subjects to move along with them for the betterment of society. Many others were also discouraged from pursuing vigorous agenda geared towards the ultimate goal of progressive development.
HANDFUL OF LEADERS
There were a handful of leaders within that National House of Chiefs who worked so hard that their communities were soon to be seen as exemplary when compared with other communities in that kingdom. It may sound strange to speak of a kingdom with several chiefs spearheading their affairs of each community and thereby bringing them together in form of a National House of Chiefs.
That was their own choice and if they were satisfied with that arrangement, no one from another area could begrudge them. In other words, if they found the arrangement suitable to their own interests and development, they were not prepared to accept any criticism from any quarters. Africa constitutes one large kingdom in a sense but there are many countries that form part of this continent.
CONTINENTAL DREAM
This explains why the early leaders of the continent under Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Jomo Kenyatta and many others found it necessary to dream of one continent in form of a United States of Africa. This could not go beyond the envisaged dream as a result of which the continent is still fragmented into different countries even though many Africans believe that one large “Kingdom” or continent could have been to the benefit of all Africans.
WHY WAS THIS NOT MADE POSSIBLE?
The colonial interests manipulated many of the African leaders at the time even though some of them were genuinely committed to the idea of one continental “Kingdom”. Again, some of the leaders at the time were more influenced by their parochial passion of not letting go the small area over which they were ruling as leaders.
Perhaps, they preferred to be called presidents of smaller areas instead of falling into the larger vision of one kingdom, after giving out parts of their own countries, for the common good in line with the entire continental interest of the African “Kingdom”.
Today, each of the states in Africa has realised the need to fight for this “Kingdom”, thereby influencing one another to trade among themselves in form of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA, as is well known, forms the largest trading bloc in the whole world. It is meant to accelerate intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s trading position in the global market by strengthening Africa’s common voice and policy space in global trade negotiations.
NUMEROUS CONTINENTAL CHALLENGES
In view of the numerous challenges the African continent faces today, there is no doubt that the leadership style in Africa is required to be propelled to higher levels where excellence would become the hallmark of performance to bring in the desired good governance, progress and economic development.
This is due to the availability and also abundance of natural resources on the continent. To be able to achieve smooth continental economic recovery and growth, a set of certain fundamentals will have to be put in place by each African country. One of them is getting sound programmes in place for rapid economic growth.
NEED FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE
Good governance is what we need as a solution to the problems in Africa. Peace and security challenges are largely the manifestation of governance challenges such as how we manage our elections. When it comes to issues relating to terrorism, diversity management, socio-economic development and other related matters, they are all about governance.
In Ghana, President Nana Akufo-Addo has been able to put in place projects like One-Village, One-Dam; One-District, One-Factory and others like Planting/Rearing for Food and Jobs. All these will take some time – not too long though – before results can be seen and/or experienced. What is important now is that Ghana is on the right path of economic recovery.
ECONOMICALLY UNPALATABLE SITUATION
President Nana Akufo-Addo came into office when things were economically unpalatable, or that the country was in a situation that was, and still is, very difficult so we cannot overcome every problem immediately.
The free SHS, for example, has helped enrollment at the second cycle level to increase from 52 per cent to 85 per cent. This is quite remarkable and will have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the country soon.
Again, the increase in the supply of maize and other foodstuffs as a result of the planting for food and job programme, among others, are meant to put the economy in shape and lessen the burden of Ghanaians soon. What we need to do now is to be patient and positively participate in the national development programme to bring about the expected result in line with our national development agenda.
ECONOMIC RECOVERY
The path to national economic recovery is not an easy one so we expect every person to support the government to ensure that at the end of the day all of us become beneficiaries of all the programmes that have been put in place for our common good. Standing aloof and unreasonably criticising every good thing planned for the country will not help us in any way.
It is in the light of all this that not long ago Ghana’s President was named as Africa’s best President by virtue of a poll conducted by a Canadian-based research organisation known as “Leaders of Tomorrow”. Additionally, Forbes Africa magazine, only a week ago, named President Akufo-Addo as its African of the Year. In view of the positive leadership style and progress being made in Ghana, some citizens on the continent have openly expressed the wish that their preference would have been to have Nana Akufo-Addo as President of their country.
POSITIVE POLICIES
It is the belief of the Canadian research team that since President Akufo-Addo won the 2016 election in Ghana, he has been the man of the people with high approval rating for his positive policies such as the Free Senior High School Education, Planting for Food & Jobs, One-District-One-Dam, National Builders Corps (NABCO) and other initiatives to generate employment, among others.
It has also been pointed out by the research team that the Ghanaian President is highly committed to the development of the country, stands strongly against corruption and has great respect for good governance and the rule of law. This, they say, has placed President Akufo-Addo first on the list in Africa and third in the world of the best presidents with vision.
Forbes, in a statement, said “Ghana’s President has repositioned the country in the global marketplace as one reliant on its own resources and strengths.” Extolling the virtues of President Akufo-Addo, which led to Forbes awarding him the prestigious African of the Year crown, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said: “We are proud of this recognition, Your Excellency, because it speaks of your commitment, it speaks of your creativity, your innovation, and your clear strategic vision of what should happen in your own country, as well as on our beloved African continent.”
Ghanaians in particular and Africans in general ought to be proud of this great achievement because it goes to show that after all, with the needed commitment, zealousness and/alacrity, the African is capable of managing his or her own affairs as it was pointed out by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Africa must progress to a higher level, but can the continent ever make it to the top? Yes, it can. And this is where good governance must become a priority. The rest of the continent must emulate Ghana to overcome seeming economic challenges.
Consistently promoting good governance in Africa – rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, consensus oriented, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency, accountability, participation – is what the continent needs now to get there!
Contact email/whatsApp of author:
pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
BY DR. KOFI AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO
Features
The Cop, press and lost fingers
The job of a policeman, whether he is short or tall, is not a cheap one. He is supposed to keep the peace, protect society and monitor the activities of local magicians and money doublers who are specialists in making civil servants lose their pay within seconds.
By far the most difficult job of the policeman is when he is expected to arrest a murderer who is not only armed but also has a record of appearing and disappearing at will. Even if the tough cop is in the company of other policemen all armed to the teeth, his stomach will turn to water when the criminal suddenly appears.
He is terrified not because the criminal is a better marksman, but because nobody dies twice. The problem also is that a criminal might be prepared to die in a bid to shoot his way to freedom. But is the police-man prepared to risk death in the course of duty when he has a family to rear.
If he had just acquired a new girlfriend with whom he is enjoying life, should he not run away with his tail between his legs and tell his boss that the criminal is uncatchable?
Before some policemen go on patrol duties, they actually pray solemnly. “God send me into the wilderness and bring me back safely with my nose intact because I’m worth more than a common rat. I also do not want to die like a stray dog. If a bullet is targeted at my forehead, Holy Spirit please let it go over the bar, because six children is not a small palaver. If I die, who will look after them? Lord keep me safe day by day. Amen!”
The Sikaman policeman’s job is a risky one because he is not properly equipped with even a trained dog to help track down criminals easily. So he has to use his own nose judiciously in sniffing out suspects while making sure a bullet doesn’t catch him square on the jaw.
My friend Sir Kofi Owuo, a.k.a. Death-By-Poverty was telling me journalists are in an even riskier profession. Apparently, he had been reading about the palaver of journalists in places like Algeria and Columbia. Algeria, even women journalists are not spared assassin’s bullet. You’d see them lying in front of their homes with their heads full of bullet holes.
In Columbia, no journalist is safe. When a journalist is leaving home, he has to tell his wife. “Darling, when I don’t come back by 7 p.m. check the mortuary
The drug trade in Columbia has made journalism a profession not worth practising. If you write on cocaine and the harm it is inflicting on society, you’ll certainly receive a phone call.
“Hello, Mr Journalist, your article yesterday was great. Congratulations! We never knew you were such brilliant writer, championing the cause of society. Again we say congrats! But you know something, by your article, you want to take the bread out of my and that of my family. You don’t want us to beak. We are aggrieved beyond measure”
“Oh, I was just… “You’d try to say something
“You don’t have to explain. The harm has already been done by your award-winning masterpiece. We have an appointment with you. You’ll hear from us.
Rest In Peace!” After such a phone call, you just have to pray to your soul, sing a hymn or two and get prepared fort appointment with death. For, death will surely come
I think pressmen in Sikaman would also have start informing their families appropriately before leaving for work now. “If I don’t come back early, I’m probably at the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of Korle- Bu checking a leakage in my left ear due to a gendarme slap from an AMA official. If you don’t see me there, track me down to the emergency ward. If you see a newly-made cripple, I’m the one”
What about referees? These days they are guarded during football matches so that the risk they bear in terms of lost teeth is minimal. Formerly, it used to be a job full of woes and tribulations.
You were expected to oversee a match in such way that would favour a particular team. If that is not done, you’ll get back home and your wife will not recognise you. She’ll mistake you for Frank Bruno who had just lost a bout. When she finally recognises you, she’ll fix some hot water to massage your poor face.
I hear that these days, apart from the protection referees receive, some are well-armed with Damfo Dzai, a kind of jack-knife that can carve a rowdy supporters face in several designs.
My Press Secretary and part-time bodyguard Devine Ankamah, was telling me if he happens to be a referee, he’d surely carry a Kalashnikov AK 47 rifle with him, complete with loaded magazine, before officiating matches. According to him, that is the only way to do the job without fear or favour. Anyone dares will lose his jaw.
Anyway, risky jobs require good remuneration. As Kwame Korkorti once said, risky jobs require risky salary. A policeman would require a good pay so that when a criminal targets his left ear it would be worth the ‘amputation’. Same for journalists and cameramen.
But go round private workplaces and factories and you’d see really risky occupations where workers are receiving salaries they can’t see with the naked eye.
In fact, in some private workplaces, environmental safety is completely absent. Workers breathe in fumes, poisonous gases and risk lung and respiratory problems. Their employers do nothing about protecting them against these hazards. Check out their payer.
In other places, workers have their fingers chopped off on the job, some losing as many as four fingers in stretch. The compensation they get can best be described as “wicked”. Their employers live big, chop big, ride big but are not willing to pay more than ¢120,000 for lost fingers.
Actually the more fingers you lose, the more money you get. So if you intend losing your fingers on the job, it is advisable to lose as many as possible so that you can get more cash. Those who have lost one finger have not benefited much and are encouraged to lose more next time around.
Sikaman Palava is undertaking to investigate some of these cases of very risky jobs in private setups and companies where workers are being exploited to unnecessarily but not offered protection against health hazards, and not properly compensated when they sustain injuries.
This article was first published on Saturday, September 28, 1996
Features
Position yourself for God’s blessings
Motivated by the impending 40-day fasting and needless to add prayer programme, preceding the Greater Works Conference scheduled for August in Accra, I would like to draw attention to how believers can receive blessings from God.
There is a scripture in Hebrews 11:5 that “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: and before his translation, he had this testimony that he pleased God”.
This clearly shows that in order to receive blessings from God, you must please God. How can one please God? You can only please God by obeying him and walking in line with God’s word. Just like how children who obey their parents, enjoy special treatment, so does God deal with his children who obey his word.
There are ways by which people receive blessings from God and holiness is an important criteria in the whole equation. Holiness is a process and not a one day event.
It is a mindset borne out of walking in obedience to God’s instructions i.e. his word. In order to have a mindset of living to please God, requires studying God’s word coupled with praying and fasting.
This helps us to develop trust in God by knowing his nature, what he likes and dislikes. This is what will enable us to live to please him and for our faith in him also to increase.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”
Fasting is one of the required criteria for blessings to be released and it goes with prayer because fasting without prayer is just a physical exercise. Fasting enables a person’s inner man to be in tune with the spirit of God and also becomes spiritually empowered to hear from God and also obey God.
Fasting enables a person’s spirit to feed on God’s word in a much more focused manner as compared to studying God’s word in normal times. As a result our spirit gains the upper hand to dominate the body and the soul, so that we are more conscious of the presence of God in our lives which causes us willingly the desire to live to obey God.
Holiness which is a prerequisite for pleasing God, can only manifest in our lives if we are able to overcome the desires of the flesh and this only happens when the flesh is subject to the spirit.
Apostle Paul said that “But l keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should not be castaway”, according to 1 Corinthians 9:27.
In order to bring the body or flesh into subjection so that believers will be able to live to please God, we have to study, God’s word in a certain state of mind which fasting and prayer appropriately provides.
Our minds are the battle grounds for decisions that either please God or the Devil. In order to please God so his blessings can be released upon our lives, we must continuously engage our minds with thoughts that is in line with God’s word.
Philippians 4:8 says that “Finally Brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things”. May God help us to live to please him by meditating on things that please the Lord, so we shall be blessed in all aspects of our lives. God bless.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
