Unity, cohesion: Beautiful lessons from Otumfuo’s leadership

Unity, cohesion, peace, tranquillity, sense of belonging, team spirit…just add on and you would realise that the common thread running through them is a value-added leadership direction. 

Whether at the national or local level, at the workplace, at home, in the community, at group, club or association level, a sense of belonging is bound to be felt by a people being led admirably. There is always some feeling of confidence and the urge to confide in a visionary leader.  

It is often said that where the shepherd leads, the flock will follow. That is what I see in the leadership of the King of the Ashantis, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, from what he has done and is doing two decades after ascending the Golden Stool.

From his example and that of some other prominent traditional leaders, there is a lot to believe in the fact that our country has a treasure throve in our traditional system. I say so looking especially at our chieftaincy institution, believing that we can tap deep into the institution or build upon the laid down structures to better our lot.  

And so, with all the enthralling videos churned out on various social media sites since the Asantehene returned from his visit to the United Kingdom for the coronation of King Charles III, I feel we have something to treasure in chieftaincy – a strong unifying force.  

I have a sense that no family, community, town or country can progress without unity, a feeling of belonging and respect for self and others, especially for authority.  

The people of Kumasi have admirably shown this based on the stately welcome they gave their King last week. From the airport, through to the official birthday surprise at the Manhyia palace, with the Ashanti traditional leaders and a cross-section of the people, nobody will tell you the joy and satisfaction that was written on the faces of the chiefs and people for their leader.

So, I have not stopped huffing and puffing with deep sighs since going through the various videos on social media, wishing such infectious unity of purpose could be exhibited on the national front, where partisan politics is tearing us apart.

Traditional level

One has no reason to doubt that at the traditional level, chiefs and queen mothers could be said to be a great source of encouragement, working together with their sub-chiefs and subjects for the development of their areas. It is no wonder, therefore, that they receive the respect and support they need from their people to carry on.  

And with that support, peace and tranquillity overshadow any undertones likely to be exhibited. Does one see this at the national level?  

National level

I doubt if the degree of loyalty is the same at the national level due to the divisive nature of our partisan politicking.  One does not even feel it in the kind of relationships that exist between constituents and their elected Members of Parliament (MPs), due to the same reason of partisanship and the winner takes all mantra.
  
As a nation blessed with something as solid and potent as the chieftaincy institution, how does one stand on those pillars to build a stronger and unified Ghana? I believe that the beauty of unity and cohesion brought into our system by traditional leaders is one of the main reasons why the Constitution debars chiefs from partisan politics.  

The unity of the people is always supreme for development, so the framers of the Constitution were right to have envisaged the traditional set-up as a catalyst. Analysing the contribution of Otumfuo Osei-Tutu to his Asante state and beyond, one can confidently say that we possess a strong foundation which can set alight a much deeper sense of belonging for nation-building.

Those were the days when chieftaincy was awash with disputes and pockets of conflicts and, therefore, not the best encouragement for their followers. However, things have changed or are changing for the better.  

In effect, therefore, the traditional system seems stable, compared to the hot-blooded political environment around us.  I have not done or come across any scientific research yet, but I can bet many constituents, if one was to ask them, would respond that their traditional leaders are a source of unifying force more than anything else.

On that score, one may want to give a great deal of credit to the National House of Chiefs for the work they have done to bring affairs to the traditional level thus far. We would, however, need for them to go further, ensuring that their individual paramount chiefs and their sub-chiefs champion unity and development towards a national goal, especially as we approach the season of active partisanship. 

What one has witnessed in Kumasi over the last week gives ample credence to the unifying leadership, openness and a sense of respect the Asantehene has championed in Ashanti. His leadership style of inclusion and respect, and his penchant for development will continue to win his people’s respect.  He does not only promise but he goes further to ensure his promises are executed.  

May his example guide our national dream to be as one, united for a better Ghana.