How Nepad Can Succeed, By Rawlings

Former Ghanaian leader, Jerry Rawlings has advised African leaders to inculcate the ideals of transparency, integrity and courage, hinging the success of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) on these critical factors.

He spoke with airport correspondents in Lagos yesterday on arrival from Accra to attend the marriage ceremonies of the daughters of former Nigerian military leaders, Generals Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar.

"They(African leaders) should have the integrity and courage because without integrity and courage, they cannot practise NEPAD. The basic principle in which we undertook our development is what I see about NEPAD. That is transparency, confidence, feeling of ownership and the empowerment of the people which is very very important.

"But right now, what is going on in some parts of Africa, for example, my country, is a disempowerment programme and you know that is not healthy", he said.

Asked to expatiate on what he meant by disempowerment, Rawlings said: "Well, when you sow the seeds of distruction and fear among the people, ethnic distrust and all sorts, that will not create any healthy society".

He noted that a united nation was one that has a sense of purpose, tolerance and mission, adding that "there are some people that cannot do without corruption".

Rawlings who was apparently referring to the Ghanaian leader, John Kuffour, added that "for them, they will have to disempower the society for them to prevail because like I said, when a nation is united, they cannot mess around".

Asked whether his visit to Nigeria would afford him an opportunity to discuss peace-keeping operations in some West African countries with his hosts, he said such discussion was unlikely, stressing that "we may have other things to talk about". He noted that President Olusegun Obasanjo has been doing what he is supposed to do in the area of giving leadership and ensuring peace in the sub-region and the African continent in general.