The retirement package for the last ex President of Ghana has rightly caused upset in many quarters. According to Joy FM, one of the leading radio stations in Ghana, ex President J.A. Kuffour’s retirement package will include 6 cars, two private residences befitting a former head of state and US$ 1 million dollars to set up a foundation. Personally, I just feel disappointed that a committee and parliament will approve such extravagances for ex Presidents. It’s not like Ghana is the richest countries in the world.
One of my pet subjects is that of leadership and having been a leadership trainer and also a recipient of various leadership styles I wish to provide a few tips for African politicians.
My top tips for African politicians are:
1. Question your motives for becoming a politician. If you wish to become rich then it is better to become an entrepreneur. Your money will be hard earned and yours to do with as you wish.
2. Okay, so you have made the decision that you wish to serve your people. Remember that you are a public servant and that your authority has been bestowed to you by the people. Ask yourself whether your actions meet the needs of your people.
3. Develop formal and informal communication channels in order to receive regular and trustworthy feedback about your performance. How else would you know you are doing a good job? Or a bad job for that matter?
4. If you find you have sycophants in your inner circle, remove them immediately. Sycophants have led to the downfall of many a president.
5. Surround yourself with skilled, knowledgeable people who are committed to developing your country. Do not give people jobs because they contributed to your political campaigns.
6. Take on board constructive criticism and change accordingly.
7. Take personal responsibility when things go wrong.
8. Read widely and learn from some of the greatest public servants of all time. I think a lot can be learnt from the many works of Martin Luther King and Barack Obama’s ‘The Audacity of Hope’.
9. Ensure you meet the needs of all your constituents, especially the most disenfranchised, women, the poor, the disabled, and people living in rural areas.
10. Aim for proportional representation of ethnicities and genders in your cabinet and ministries. This will go some way to allay fears people may have about tribalism and is a good thing in its own right
I could go on and on but I think this is enough to start on. African people deserve better leadership than we currently have
Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications
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