Why Africa needs more focused and results oriented leadership

Leadership is an ultimate tool for collective progression. It is getting everyone on the path towards a common goal. A leader must feel that they have something to offer or that they can make an existing situation better. These initiatives and vision are the pillars to leadership. Meanwhile, the desire to lead, though essential, is not enough to make a dynamic leader. It is not having skills and know-how which makes one feel that they are the best candidate for leadership. Knowledge is one thing, but putting it to use in the interest of the people is another. One’s knowledge is then only useful if it is used to enhance a common goal. It is observed that the mode of leadership by which some of the countries in Africa have been run since independence lacks remedial capacity and not development compliant. A few countries which have benefited from enlightened leadership have experienced advanced development, while those which have not are hunched down in misery. There is no doubt that there is a deep desire to have leaders who are more focused on pushing a common agenda of developing this great continent. Luckily, as we talk today, there are African countries whose current leadership portrays the possibility of turning around the continent’s future. While one of the greatest challenges facing a leader is training others to become leaders, one of the best tests for good leadership is its willingness and ability to train another person for the position occupied by the incumbent. Many African leaders not only also fail to allow the will of the people prevail but often want to deliberately appoint those they think will protect their interests. The new Tanzanian President, Dr John Pombe Magufuli, has begun as a seriously focused and proactive leader; he demonstrates giving up personal interest, luxury, ambition and expectation to embrace the aspirations and concerns of the people he is leading. He seems to be conscious of the fact that leadership is not to build an island around them, but armed with the understanding that leadership is a pivotal point where everything and everyone’s interest revolves. In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame has always got in tune with his people’s emotions, needs and obstacles. Indeed, the President has effectively mobilized everyone towards achieving national goals. Today Rwanda leads many African countries in ICT, business environment, governance and low child mortality rates among others. This is because everyone understands the national priorities, enlightened to strategies and ways of attaining them. This ability to keep people focused on the national goals and tactfully steer them in the attainment of those goals is what leadership is all about. There are also other few examples of African heads of state who are motivated by what they can do for their people but not by what their people can do for them. This generation of leaders is bringing what had been lacking but needed most in Africa. China, Singapore and the rest of the today’s world leading economies benefited from such transformational leaders. For instance, what would Singapore be like without Mr Lee Kuan Yew who pulled the country out of the economic backwater? He was a strong, larger-than-life leader who led from the front with his intellect and charisma. His attention to detail, political sensitivity and the high standards he demanded of civil servants were trademark qualities that overturned the country’s economy from grass to grace. Africa desperately needs more of such results oriented leadership to overcome obstacles which are damaging its competitiveness and restricting the continent’s role and place in the global economy. Addressing this biggest and most significant challenge, political leadership in Africa, would provide positive returns over time. Effective and good political leaders are not only able to guide their governments and perform effectively for their citizens, but can help in putting the entire continent on the right track as far as development is concerned. And in tune with the changing expectations of the African people, the new generations of African leaders should also emulate existing best practices of other world’s successful leaders. The time has lapsed for inept leadership in Africa! oscar_kim2000@yahoo.co.uk

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Why Africa needs more focused and results oriented leadership