A unified prosperous Ghana is the vision shared by both the Citizens for a Better Ghana movement and Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom. The core of this vision is it’s the right and healthy thing to do for the welfare of all Ghanaians. The means to its success is assiduous leadership. As the theologian Howard Thurman states “…the most searching demands of leadership are integrity and honesty. The leader must above all else be a searcher after truth. In his private life of thought and deed, he must not violate the ideals which he embraces in his role as the leader of others.” As the leader searches for truth, he / she must always have a clear vision of self; “one must be comfortable in one’s own skin” (Thurman). A leader must first, accept who he or she is as a person and as a personality. A leader must know his or her strengths and weaknesses, and make sure that he or she uses this perception correctly to make the most out of every situation and opportunity he or she is presented with.
A leader must take responsibility for his or her actions. Often leaders believe that the decisions that they make are the product of expectations, policies or laws that guide them both personally and professionally. But in the end, the decisions made, despite the reasons, are their decisions; and appealing or appalling, they own and are responsible for them. Though the connection between execution and accountability can be fuzzy at times, regardless of one’s attempts to rationalize and explain his or her decisions, in the final analysis he or she must own the consequence.
A leader’s personal integrity is defined by how honestly he or she takes possession of the ideas, thoughts and motivations that influenced him or her. Though a leader taking responsibility for his or her actions is well understood by most, Thurman points out another dimension of what a leader is responsible for — his / her reaction to events — events that are often foreign to him / her and contrary to his / her beliefs or thoughts. Yet a leader is responsible for how these events frame his/her responses, and how he/she embraces the unpredictable and often abrupt changes that occur over time. As Thurman denotes, “It is for this reason that two people visited by the same circumstances may be seen to react to it in diametrically opposed ways. One may respond with bitterness and hostility, the other with gentleness and grace. A leader is responsible for his reaction to life.”
In summary, a leader must first and foremost seek truth, know and accept him or herself, and take responsibility for his or her ACTIONS and REACTIONS. When this occurs there is set into motion a wonderful dynamic of proactive and constructive living and learning. This is the definition of inspired leadership. Such qualities are personified in the leader we have drafted, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, to contend for the presidency in 2008.
We must all admit that mistakes have been made during our first fifty years but which nation hasn’t? As author/Libertarian Peter McWilliams wrote, “Mistakes obviously show us what needs improving. Without mistakes, how would we know what we had to work on?” Thus, as we close the FIFTIETH chapter in our history, all Ghanaians must acknowledge and take down the old great barriers to political and socio-economic advancement, and start chapter FIFTY-ONE with a new slate replete with fresh practical ideas from ALL! Ideas and ideals that will foster socio-economic growth in the TRUE harmonious independent Ghana we all crave! The finest traditions of old must be preserved as we join our diverse cultures and ideas to give development the chance it deserves.
Understanding that as a people, we are responsible for our actions and reactions to the unpredictable and hasty changes we encounter in the world, it is clear to us that we can determine our future courses of action and success. Though victory is not always a certainty, it is clearly within our reach; and it is certain that our successes or failures will be based on our ability to understand and embrace constructive change via the guidance of an authentic leader; while we pledge our willingness to do our part to the best of our abilities. There must be a consensus effort to embrace constructive change with courage and resolve for the welfare of our motherland and her people—together we can rekindle and keep the STAR of Africa aglow. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” Nelson Mandela. As we serve our country, we must always remember to offer our people—ALL our people—the socio-economic autonomy and wellbeing they deserve and rightfully expect, with integrity, courage, and compassion. This is the TRUTH mutually shared by our movement and our candidate.
We are proud of those good and dedicated leaders who came before us and fought and died for our freedom, and built for us a nation with vast potential. These founding fathers mentored, trained and instilled in us, a sense of pride, unity and good citizenship. We must therefore, build on that foundation as we continue our political and social journey, while we endorse a future leader with the persona, ability and a vision to bring our current socio-economic status in par with the 21st century; a leader who can and will propel our efforts to restructure our nation in unity and honesty. Our second half century requires a new leadership with these essential capabilities; a leader who will intricately orchestrate our political agenda from our past successes, while monitoring our past failures so as not to repeat them, towards future developments that will cultivate socio-economic prosperity for ALL GHANAIANS! The success of this effort will depend on unity; so let’s seize the beauty and possibilities that our differences present and use them to our advantage! “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” (Martin Luther King Jr.) And it is our fervent hope that we will choose the former!
IN SOLIDARITY
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