April 14, 2024
- Botswana Ex-President, Lt.-Gen. Seretse Khama Lan Khama, blamed politicians for instability in Africa
A former Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama, has said Africa requires leaders who are thinking years ahead and not short-sighted leaders to realise the potential of the continent.
He spoke just as a former President of Botswana, Lt. General Seretse Khama Lan Khama, blamed politicians for instability in Africa.
Daily Trust reports that the duo spoke in Lagos at the weekend during the 2024 African Heritage Awards organised by Heritage Times.
Mahama, who was conferred with the African Advancement for Exemplary Leadership, said leaders must be accountable to the people.
According to him, to shape Africa’s path to prosperity, governments in African countries must reduce their involvement in the management of the economy. He said it should be the business of the private sector to drive economic growth.
He advised African governments to adopt home-grown solutions to solving internal problems, adding that African leaders must support innovation and believe in the local solutions put forward by the entrepreneurs.
The former Botswana president said, “I am very much aware that to groom and breed brilliance and to provide opportunities amongst our people, there should be good leadership and political stability in our countries.
“I have been a politician myself and I know for a fact that a lot of our problems and instability are caused by some politicians. However, my observation is that those politicians who fail to put the interests and needs of their people first are the cause of our problem.
“This then results in power-hungry, self-serving individuals taking control of our countries. We need leaders who are humble enough to understand that their role is simply to be of service to their people.”
According to him, it is high time Africa showcased her brilliance because the continent has the most vibrant population.
The chairman of Heritage Times, organisers of the award, Mr. Moses Siasia, lamented that African heritage is threatened by forces of globalization, saying Africa must invest in the preservation and promotion of its heritage.
