The General Manager of Citi FM, Mr Bernard Avle, has emphasised the importance of leadership succession, asserting that leadership without a successor is ultimately a failure.
He urged activists to mentor and nurture the younger generation to sustain the "fight" for community and national development.
Speaking at the 2025 STAR-Ghana Foundation Akoto Ampaw Active Citizenship Dialogue (AAACD) in Accra last Wednesday, Mr Avle stated, “If you cannot reproduce what you have, then you have not done anything at all.”
Delivering a keynote address on the theme "Inter-Generational Dialogue for Active Citizenship: Lessons and Opportunities for the Future," the seasoned journalist called on accomplished activists to take an active role in grooming the younger generation, ensuring continuity in civic engagement across generations.
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He illustrated his point with an example from Ghana's history, highlighting the mentorship between renowned musician Ephraim Amu and Emeritus Professor Kwabena Nketiah, a celebrated songwriter. Avle described this relationship as a demonstration of mentorship’s lasting impact.
“So in the pre-independence era, (Ephraim) Amu is my next point of reference, and what makes this beautiful is that Emeritus Professor H. K. Kwabena Nketiah writes about him, how he mentored him, and how Professor Nketia took it to the next level, including composing the University of Ghana Anthem. So his greatness is not just in the songs, but also in mentoring people who teach others,” he said.
He further underscored the significance of mentorship, stating: “So for me, again, that’s part of your job as a citizen to find, and that is why intergenerational [mentorship] is critical... Bernard and the rest of us are talking now. So there’s a reproduction going on. That’s also important. Because it can’t be Aki Aki all the time, and although most people here know more than me, they’ve still sat down to listen to a young upstart. Because at some point, if you can’t reproduce what you have, then you haven’t done anything at all, and I think that’s a very important part of this conversation.”
Expressing gratitude to senior activists, he added: “So thank you, Professor Karikari. Thank you, Audrey, for believing in us, to give us a chance—myself, Manasseh, Felicity—to take the stage, right? Because we haven’t finished reading your books, but we still have things to say. Wonderful. So in Nketia is Amu’s work, in my view.”
The event served as a platform for fostering civic engagement, participatory governance, and social accountability, featuring speakers who demonstrated remarkable wisdom in their presentations.
Organised annually by STAR-Ghana Foundation, the dialogue brings together key stakeholders—including civil society organisations (CSOs), policymakers, academics, and active citizens—to discuss national issues and explore pathways for strengthening active citizenship in governance.
Following the passing of lawyer Akoto Ampaw in 2023, the STAR-Ghana Foundation renamed the dialogue in his honour, recognising his lifelong dedication to democracy, human rights, and active citizenship.
Akoto Ampaw played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s civil society landscape, contributing to the promotion of inclusive governance, citizen participation, and social justice.
Through his tireless advocacy, he left an indelible mark on Ghana’s democratic journey. By renaming the event, STAR-Ghana Foundation seeks to keep his vision alive, ensuring that citizen activism remains a central force in Ghana’s governance and development.
