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Showing selflessness, patriotism and dedicated service to national progress …Togbe Afedi XIV leads by example
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A selfless humble leader is someone who does not regard oneself as greater than his/her team members. He or she instead, joins hands in helping each team member, does not feel embarrassed to be real and treats each member as family. A selfless leader will genuinely care for each individual in the team irrespective of race, gender, class status or other standards but rather treats everyone according to their talents and the efforts that they put into the task. That efforts, he or she believes, naturally inspire other team members to do the same.
SELFLESS LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
Instead of commanding the team, he or she facilitates the members to achieve the desired goals. A selfless leader, will love to celebrate success together, thinks of the team, never allows any negative impact to reach the team and more importantly analyzing ways to improve and ensure the success of his or her team.
It is a fact that a leader who models selflessness inspires trust and confidence because people believe that they will be supported and protected. This level of care encourages people to emulate the same behavior, leading to reciprocity of the loyalty and gratitude.For me, there are three core principles for selfless leaders and these are, generosity, empathy and excellence.
LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE
Similarly, exemplary leadership is a leadership style where you model the behavior you want to see in your team members. When you lead by example, you don’t just push your team members towards excellence but rather demonstrate actively that excellence. People demonstrate leadership qualities by offering to help colleagues who are having problems, being supportive and encouraging, giving credit to others, showing honesty and empathy for others in times of difficulties.
Even the Holy Bible states in 1 Timothy 4:12 that, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love in faith and in purity”. That shows the level of importance in exemplary leadership.
REJECTION OF EX-GRATIA BY TOGBE AFEDE
Having enlightened my cherished readers and patrons about the importance and significance of these laudable attributes to mankind in the schemes of development and advancement of society, I am inclined to relate it to one of the nation’s finest and important personalities in the chieftaincy institution who have shown and continues to show empathy and patriotism in our country’s forward march to prosperity.
The indefatigable TogbeAfede XIV, the Paramount Chief of the Asogli State in the Volta Region and former President of the National House of Chiefs has of late been in the news for a good reason. The 65-year old chief who is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Africa World Airlines and Board Chairman of Accra Hearts of Oak, keeps trending in the social and traditional media for having rejected an amount of GHc 365,392.00ex-gratia paid to him by the government for serving on the Council of State. According to him it was inappropriate to receive the cash when he had already taken salaries for his work.
REASONS BEHIND HIS REJECTION
He explained that his rejection of the payment was consistent with his general abhorrence of the payment of huge ex-gratia and other outrageous benefits to people who have by their own volition offered to serve our poor country. He, however, rejected speculations being bandied in some circles that the payment was made to trap him. “I believe it was paid to everybody who served on the Council of State. However, I thought that extra payment was inappropriate for a short, effectively part-time work for which I receive monthly salary and was entitled to other privileges. So I was very uncomfortable with it”, he said.
Honestly,I did not think that TogbeAfede who is quite rich because of the conglomerates of businesses under his care, rejected the money because of his wealth. To me personally, this traditional ruler, noted for his benevolence, rejected the money on principle and heart feeling because he felt the part-time job did not deserve such an emolument as he indicated in his rejection letter. This man is indeed, a loyal, dedicated and honest personality who deserves commendation from all right thinking persons. He has shown leadership by example and selflessness which must be emulated by responsible citizens in the society. Even though he rejected his ex-gratia on personal ground and would not expect his colleagues who served with him on the council to do same, I (writer) would have loved that it is not too late, they ought to follow Togbe’s shining example and decline the offer unless they have already received their entitlements.
TAKING A SECOND LOOK AT THE EX-GRATIA AWARD
The action taken by TogbeAfedi, has brought to the fore the need for this country to take a second look at this huge lump sum ex-gratia awards for some categories of workers such as Ministers of State, Parliamentarians, District Chief Executives and other Article 71 office holders for every four years. The present economic hardships need to be taken into consideration in the payment of this ex-gratia. The current practice in which whether you lose or win an election as a parliamentarian, you get payment of an ex-gratia is wasteful and does not help the nation. The way forward is to ensure that, those who do not retain their seats are the people to be paid ex-gratia and not all parliamentarians.Honestly, this payment of this ex-gratia as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution needs to be taken a second look and review if necessary, to reflect the present economic challenges.
SOCIAL INTERVENTION INITIATIVES IN HUGE ARREARS
Is it not absurd and shameful that while the various social intervention initiatives such as theLivlihood Empowerment Against Poverty ( LEAP), the Ghana School Feeding Program and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) are in huge arrears, the nation continues to pay fantastic ex-gratia to some category of workers to the disadvantage of the poor and vulnerable persons within the society? Such a behavior to me and indeed, all right thinking people, is callous and inhuman.Is it not the same government which told Ghanaians that in view of the economic challenges, we should tighten our belts? Is it now a question of robbing Peter to pay Paul? That is left to posterity to answer.
It is a fact that politics in Ghana has seriously been monetized with the payments of a lot of benefits to our politicians and that is why people especially the youth who finish their education without any working experience are all eager and anxious to venture into politics because they find it as the easiest way of getting rich overnight.
FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLES OF OTHER COUNTRIES
Just visit countries like India and Sweden, whose economies are far better than Ghana in terms of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and see how they are doing their politics. For instance, in Sweden, as I indicated in my last article about the need for us to follow their modesty and simplicity, there are no lifetime pension for former parliamentarians, MPs are expected to use public transport during sitting hours, the whole parliament operates with three vehicles which are used for official duties. Swedish MPs have no secretaries or assistants and they have to plan their own schedules. Public Service in Sweden is neither prestigious nor lucrative.
We are in a terrible times and struggling to come out of the woods and, therefore, we need to adopt practices that would not put extra burden on our economy. We must as much as possible, try to avoid extravagancy and live within our means. As a matter of priority, let us protect the public purse by cutting down on all frivolous expenses and conserve the needed funds to build our economy for sustainable growth and development.
The eminent chief, TogbeAfede, who is a profound businessman with a lot of companies at his disposal, has demonstrated that if we are able to cut down wastage in the system, we can generate adequate funds to meet our financial obligations.TogbeAfede has indeed, shown high level of patriotism, selflessness and sympathetic to national development and must be celebrated, rather than the criticisms and vilifications by a section of the society on political lines. Posterity will judge him for his positive action.
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By Charles Neequaye
Some things do not change in this country. The rains shall fall in May, and June and even July. That is out of our control. It is an act of God and he decides how often and the intensity. Who are we to question God?
However, there is something man-made that is gradually becoming something that is also not changing and it is worrying. A week ago the President initiated a national clean up campaign to address the issue of sanitation in the country, especially in Accra.
Citizens enthusiastically got involved and engaged in cleaning their environment and other places but afterwards, the issue that is becoming a permanent feature resisting change, reared its ugly head again.
The rubbish and the silt that were dug out of the drains, were heaped on the shoulders of the drains and left there. Any little rain will render the whole effort futile because the rubbish and silt will be washed right back into the drains.
This is what is not changing in the country and the various assemblies must ensure that this issue is dealt with and must become a thing of the past.
There is the need to engage the citizenry across board, in connection with mindset change, as far as sanitation is concerned. At this juncture, I must acknowledge the thoughtful initiative of the current crop of Abenfo (i.e. students both present and past) of SUTESCO of Suhum, with support of the school administration for decorating the area under the overpass on the Accra Kumasi highway, near the school, with fascinating paintings. This is an example worthy of emulation and makes me proud as one of the Abenfo.
An example not worthy of emulation is an eyesore currently existing behind a cemetery along the Atta Mills link as you branch left, off the main Accra-Cape Coast road at Old barrier and head towards the beach through Aplaku, Bortianor, Oshiyie, Korobite through to Tuba and beyond.
The drain along the walls of the cemetery also lying astride the road, is choked with silt and rubbish. This has created a problem near the end of the cemetery wall just before you enter Bortianor.
Water has accumulated at that point, creating potholes and also gradually creating a channel across the road, creating a nightmare for motorists using that route. This route is the main link between parts of Kasoa and the Accra – Cape Coast road and whenever it rains and the Atala stretch of the road is blocked, that is the route most motorists from Kasoa uses.
It is also the route used by tourists going to the beaches along the sea of the towns stretching from Bortianor to Kokrobite and so it does not speak well of us, as a nation at all.
A few days ago, I had to pass through Tema Station, the place where a major clean up exercise was conducted just fews days ago and it was very shocking to see the level of wanton littering that had taken place.
One begins to wonder if this whole exercise initiated by the President was worth it. People just do not care and are not willing to change their attitude towards sanitation.
We cannot continue like this and to win this battle against insanitary conditions in our environment, the NCCE must be resourced to embark on a serious educational drive. The MMDCEs must also be held accountable for sanitation lapses in their administrative areas, by making sanitation part of their KPIs among other innovative policies. This is one of the surest ways to overcome this sanitation challenge confronting us. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
THE discussion lasted only ten minutes. Mr Philip Sampson, Eunice’s father, had asked to see him, and he was led to the sitting room for the first time. Mr Sampson indicated that he should sit down.
‘Yes, Kakraba. I know that you have been, er, friends with Eunice for some months now, and naturally, as her father, I thought it would be important to meet you, and to reach an understanding with you on, er, some basic issues. So, I hear you are a graduate in building technology. Now, tell me about what you do’.
‘Okay. I worked with the Electricity Company for two years after National Service. During that time I interacted with some lawyers and land surveyors on our project sites, so I suggested to some of them that we take some dilapidated buildings in some parts of Accra, rehabilitate them and find new owners. Soon after starting that I got a job as Project Manager with a group of development agencies who are executing projects in the Northern Region, so I have been balancing the two positions’.
‘I see. That sounds like a bold step. So is it going well, financially?’
‘Well, sir, I absolutely enjoy what I’m doing now. Financially, I would only say that I am a work in progress. A lot of what I’m doing now involves some risk taking, as it involves trust issues with land and property owners.
I am partnering with prominent lawyers and land surveyors, so I am not taking any serious risks. So currently I am doing okay financially, but it will take me some time before I reach the level where I can say I am comfortable financially.’
‘Okay. Now tell me about your parents’.
‘My father was an Agricultural Extension Officer, so we spent some time at several locations with him. He is now enjoying his retirement. And my mother is a retired nurse. I have three elder sisters, all married’.
‘So you live with your parents?’
‘Yes and no. My dad built his home on one acre at Pokuase, so he gave me one plot, and I have done a three-bedroom house, where I live’.
‘Okay, fine. Thanks for the answers. You see, in addition to my position socially, I spent many years in the diplomatic service, so I’m sure you will understand that I need to ensure that my kids, especially my daughters, maintain suitable relationships. For now I think it is fine that you and Eunice are friends. I’m sure you understand what I mean’.
‘Yes sir. I understand perfectly well.’
‘Great, okay, that would be all.’
Kakraba stood up, bowed and said thank you to Mr Sampson, and walked to the garden where his girlfriend Eunice, her mother Mrs Elaine Sampson and her two elder sisters, Yvonne and Emma, were seated, busily discussing some dresses being offered for sale online.
‘So,’ Mrs Elaine asked him, ‘you and Daddy had a good discussion?’
‘Yes, Ma. We certainly did. I really appreciate Dad for the discussion. It was really good.’
‘Great. Although he has met you here on quite a number of occasions, I think it is good that you have met for a chat.’
‘Yes indeed, Ma, and I really appreciate it. So Eunice, I will be on my way. I will call.’
Eunice led him to his car, and after driving off he exhaled and shook his head. Although he had long concluded that Eunice’s family were so snobbish that a future relationship with her would be problematic, this discussion, or was it interrogation, had virtually cancelled any likelihood.
Mr Sampson just told him, in no uncertain terms, that the Sampson family was so prominent and socially connected that a union between his daughter and him was undesirable.
He had a good relationship with Eunice. They shared some beautiful moments together, and often went out to entertainment joints, often with her three friends Marian, Patricia and Amanda. But Kakraba was often uncomfortable with their preferences.
Eunice regularly spoke about her family’s experiences during her father’s postings in Europe and Asia, and her three friends were always discussing the latest fashion trends, always noting the importance of placing themselves among the best-dressed ladies in town.
Eunice, her mother and siblings had indicated in several ways that he did not quite fit into their social standing. They had only said a mild ‘thank you’ when he brought them a goat or sheep and a generous amount of foodstuffs from the north every month.
But Kakraba did not really take it to heart, because they were quite inexpensive up north. Moreover, he always went to the food market and arranged with the truck drivers for a big package which was picked up by his buddy Paa John and delivered to his family and a few others, including the Sampsons.
By Ekow de Heer
