Current national leadership questioned

Ghana must re-examine its socio-political system to ensure that purpose-driven, selfless and visionary leaders are chosen to lead the economic transformation agenda of the country, Mr. Kofi Amoabeng, Chief Executive Officer of UT Bank, has said.

“We have to be concerned about our leadership. If democracy is not giving us the type of leadership required to transform our country because everyone has one vote, then we need to take a look at it again,” Mr. Amoabeng said.

He was speaking at an Executive Breakfast Meeting organised by Rotary International (District 9102), the global humanitarian organisation, in Accra.

Speaking on the topic “Corporate Social Responsibility is a Commitment”, Mr. Amoabeng said CSR should be an addendum to the national plan and urged corporate institutions to invest in the communities in which they operate.

Mr. Sam Okudzeto, a renowned lawyer and a past Director of Rotary International, concurred. He said: “Many of these people do not appreciate the power of their votes; otherwise they would have demanded respect from their elected political leaders and got it.”

The Founder and President of Ashesi University College, Mr. Patrick Awuah, said corporate philanthropy should be based on three pillars: doing no harm to the environment; love for humanity; and engaging in activities that are strategic to corporate organisations.

“Not harming the environment and the community in which we operate are the first things we should think about. Secondly, corporate philanthropy should be based on love for humanity. It should also be strategic to the company -- organisations should do things they are passionate about,” he said.

Mr. Awuah said the public health sector and education are two areas that organisations can invest in as part of their CSR initiatives.

Mr. Winfred Mensah, Rotary International’s District 9102 Governor, said Rotary International is the most important humanitarian service organisation in the world.

“In 1985, Rotary International made a historic commitment to immunise all of the world’s children against polio. Working in partnership with non-governmental organisations and national governments through its PolioPlus programme, Rotary is the largest private-sector contributor to the global polio-eradication campaign. Rotarians have mobilised hundreds of thousands of Rotary volunteers and have immunised more than one billion children worldwide,” he said.

Mr. Kofi Amoabeng and Apostle Kwadjo Safo, the Founder and Leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission, were awarded honorary Paul Harris Fellowships at the event.

Rotary International Accra was formally admitted into Rotary International in September 22, 1958. The organisation has supported various initiatives including the establishment of a tuberculosis (TB) clinic at La Polyclinic, construction of a dormitory block for the SOS Children’s Village in Tema, and the construction of a two-storey eye and dental clinic at Saint Dominic Hospital, Akwatia, Eastern Region.

The Rotary International’s District 9102 comprises Ghana, Togo, Benin and Niger.