A senior political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has highlighted the key factor hindering Ghana’s development – poor quality leadership. He expressed his concerns on a recent episode of JoyNews’ The Probe, where he described the current situation as a “leadership crisis.”
Dr. Asah-Asante pointed out that the lack of selfless leaders has impeded significant infrastructural and economic growth in the country. He emphasized that the recent leaders have been largely ethnocentric, focusing only on their tribes and neglecting the larger interests of the nation.
Reflecting on Ghana’s journey since independence, he praised visionary leaders like Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who had a broader outlook beyond their ethnic groups. Dr. Nkrumah, in particular, envisioned a prosperous Ghana that encompassed the well-being of the entire nation.
However, Dr. Asah-Asante lamented the decline in leadership quality post-independence, leading to a deterioration in various sectors and a loss of national identity. He pointed out the prevalence of misgovernance, human rights violations, and the underutilization of the country’s natural resources, which has left a large portion of the youth unemployed.
The political science lecturer stressed the need for introspection and a paradigm shift to address the current challenges. He quoted Aristotle, saying, “the unexamined life is not worth living,” indicating the importance of self-assessment and realization of the inadequacies in the current system.
In conclusion, Dr. Asah-Asante highlighted the urgency for a reevaluation of Ghana’s leadership structures and a restoration of moral values and integrity. He emphasized that only through internal reflection and a shift in mindset can the country overcome its current obstacles and progress towards a more prosperous future.
