One for the new ministers — Leadership needed for followership

Last Friday, the first batch of ministers who successfully went through vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament were sworn in by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Some of them have made various pledges concerning what they are bringing to the table as ministers of state, while others have indicated that some of the measures they want to put in place are dependent on the availability of funds.

The ministers were nominated by the President because he believes in their capabilities and abilities to improve the situation in the ministries to which they have been assigned.

However, being fallible human beings, we do not expect them to wave the magic wand to turn things around overnight.

But, by and large, we expect them to work to bring about the change they promised Ghanaians during their vetting and also make good the promises the New Patriotic Party (NPP) made on the campaign platform and which are contained in its manifesto.

Majority of Ghanaians voted for the NPP because of its promises such as one village one dam, one district, one factory and, free SHS.

It is the ministers appointed by the President who will ensure that all the pledges are fulfilled and they will need the support of all Ghanaians to make this happen.

The Daily Graphic believes that some of the promises can only be fulfilled through very hard work, while, in the course of fulfilling them, we will encounter snags along the way.

Ghanaians are not so unfeeling as not to know when a good effort being made hits a rock, so we believe that if the ministers hit the ground running to actualise all the laudable promises, they will be applauded by all.

We are of the view, however, that what will slacken the efforts of the ministers in their quest to achieve fruitful results will be the nonchalant and arrogant posture that they may decide to adopt as they go about their duties as servants of the people.

It is said that “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”, but we urge the ministers to see themselves first as servants of the people, so that they get the support of the people and become successful in their endeavours.

We expect them to provide good leadership to the technocrats and the agencies at the various ministries by being truthful in their dealings with them.

As for the public, their wish and desire are that all the challenges being faced by the country, such as high electricity tariffs and irregular or erratic power supply, increased cost of education, little priority being given to agriculture, high cost of doing business, the increasing housing deficit, among other challenges, would be solved overnight.

But we know that that is improbable. That is why we urge the ministers not to throw their weight about now that they hold the various portfolios but show the utmost respect to the people they have dealings with and offer the leadership that will make Ghanaians give them the needed followership.

We believe that when that is done, even the most difficult challenges will be surmounted in no time for the government to succeed in its endeavours.