Africans should be managers of own affairs - Yamson

Accra, May 21, GNA - Dr. Ishmael Yamson, Chairman of the University of Ghana Council on Saturday said Africans should be managers of their own affairs, if the continent was to transform to measure up to the developed world.

He said partnership with developed countries to achieve development targets was only secondary, and that the greater onus lied on Africans themselves to come out of poverty and all it woes. Dr. Yamson said this when he addressed participants at a leadership seminar organised by Salt Institute, a charitable organization under the theme "Needed: Restoration Leaders" in Accra. The Chairman said it was unfortunate that poverty was still an issue in Africa, despite abundant resources and intellectuals at the continent's disposal, saying, " Unless Africa realise that the future is in our own hands, we would go no where."

He said in view of available resources, due to the location of the continent, colonialism should not be used as an excuse to justify under development since other continents also colonised had been able to advance and are rubbing shoulders with the industrialized countries.

Dr. Steve Ogun, Lecturer of Salt Institute , also a resource person, said African needed effective leadership that could only be achieved by adopting the leadership style of Jesus Christ, adding, "Leaders are expected to serve their people , rather than they being served; should be functional instead of just been title holders by avoiding the big masculine mentality; this is what we need in Africa." Dr Ogun said most African leaders lacked the principles of diligence, discipline, devotion, loyalty and accountability, which had been lapses in leadership, adding, " until African project the leadership service of Christ, we can not deal with the problems". He said to achieve effective leadership for the needed transformation of the continent, there was the need for leaders to adopt simplicity, humility, good work ethics, and the will to share power and delegate responsibility.

Mr. Emeka Nwankpa, Founder of SALT Institute, also attributed under-development to the refusal of some leaders who deliberately refused to do what was expected them because of their self-centredness. Mr. Nwankpa said there was the need for Africans to identify these attitudes among their leadership and to work at ensuring that they were eradicated in order for the continent to achieve its goals.