Be involved to bridge leadership gaps

Recently, two banking executives described the country as “a nation in crisis”, “because of systematic leadership failures and structural deficiencies over the years.”

Former Managing Directors, Alhassan Andani of Stanbic Bank Ghana, and Frank Adu Jnr of CalBank, made the assertion as panellists at a thought leadership lecture organised by the old students of Achimota School, on the theme: “Ghana a Country in Crisis: Defining a New Economic Direction.”

Mr Adu Jnr said he had never come across a leader in the country who had mobilised resources and human capital to drive the country forward while Mr Andani, for his part, noted that the country had failed to fashion a systematic plan to address structural problems of economic growth.  

Indeed, a dearth of leadership is bedevilling Ghana’s development.

 Somehow, we all associate with sentiments about the economic hardships and seeming governance lapses.

Ghanaians are keenly aware of lapses in the management of public resources.

For instance, some experts are of the view that cutting down political appointees is necessary in the current economic downturn. 

However, it seems the government does not feel so inclined.

Many feel that all the challenges of the country are as a result of gaps in leadership, and that was emphasised by the two business executives who have seen it all in the management of huge resources placed under their care.

It is trite knowledge that fish starts rotting from the head.

Professor Stephen Adei, who is credited for shaping a university to a modern status, sums it up that “Leadership is cause, everything else is effect”. 

This emphasises the importance of leadership and how it can catalyse a shift in paradigm.

The executive powers the 1992 Constitution granted the President and the ruling class have also not helped matters.

 The excessive exercise of those powers has also inspired the rest of the society.

It is not surprising that when individuals emerge from among the people as leaders, they almost become ‘tin gods’ who must not be questioned, queried, challenged or blamed.

In 2011, the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) conducted extensive nationwide consultations to review the 1992 Constitution.

At the end of the exercise, the committee presented a report titled, “From a Political to a Developmental Constitution.”

The rationale was to move the country from the preponderance of politics in all spheres of governance and sectors of the country to a multitude of developmental and transformative laws and efforts for growth and prosperity.

Little progress has been made in that regard and in the interim governance seems to spiral further downwards.

Some Ghanaians appear disheartened. 

The effect of the leadership vacuum can be seen in the high exodus of Ghanaians abroad in search of greener pastures, wastage in every segment of the society, disregard for and indifference over public goods and installations, corruption in high and low places, greed, youth prioritising money over everything and throwing courtesy to the wind and many more.

The Daily Graphic, however, believes that governance is all about the people.

People, therefore, must take charge and institute the governance they want democratically.

It starts by exercising the franchise to elect leaders.

 In so doing, Ghanaians must understand that those elected to serve must champion development diligently without fail, fear or favour.

That alone should be the motivation for casting the ballot for one of many competitors.

Citizens must also be participants and not spectators, as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appropriately urged.

All must be interested in governance of localities and communities.

It is in this vein that the Daily Graphic calls on all citizens who qualify to vote to participate in the upcoming District Level Elections on December 19.

It is also imperative that citizens seize the opportunity provided by the Right to Information Law to get informed and keep abreast of what is being done by the executive, parliament and judiciary, as well as their agencies.

The Daily Graphic is aware of the prevailing challenges people face in order to survive.

However, we urge all not to lose sight of the fact that being involved in how the country is governed is critical to sustaining our future.

Get involved as a citizen.