The Curse of the African Leadership

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• Pelicles 11 years ago

  Take Gaddafi for example. The man was good for his people and country despite his long leadership. Gaddafi build his nation and if Ghana was like Libya, do you think the people will be agitating for any change in leadership ...
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  Take Gaddafi for example. The man was good for his people and country despite his long leadership. Gaddafi build his nation and if Ghana was like Libya, do you think the people will be agitating for any change in leadership? Imagine what Libyans are going through today, they wish Gaddafi was still around but....
  
  Thomas Sankara refusal to bow before to France, led to his untimely death and the then Ivorian leader, in the person of Boigny was the one who orchestrated his death. Sankara was a born leader who inspired his people to be self reliant. His speeches were full of "we can do it" but, but.
  
  The rest are garbage. That said, when it comes to democracy, we are way off the radar. Why? Because we think that queue to vote is what democracy is all about. The additives and whatnots that makes democracy work, is totally missing from what we are practicing. If we really understand democracy, no leader will force to change a constitution and continue to stay in office at the displeasure of his people.
  
  Also, the West must be held responsible for these reckless leaders we have in Africa. Why? The West still think that we owe them an allegiance. Look at France. They never let go the nations they rule in Africa and they are instrumental in restoring/removal of leaders in their former colonies.

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• Kwadjo, London 11 years ago

  Do not blame the West for all of our problems. Rhe West never said we shldn't send our children to school nor put pregnant women on hospital floors. Did the West ask us to give all the country's money to one person for no wor ...
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  Do not blame the West for all of our problems. Rhe West never said we shldn't send our children to school nor put pregnant women on hospital floors. Did the West ask us to give all the country's money to one person for no work done?

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• PROF 11 years ago

  THE PROBLEM IS THE ABSENCE OF STRONG INSTITUTIONS IN AFRICA AND ALSO THE WEST PROPPING UP DICTATORS WHEN THEY SERVE THE INTERESTS OF THE WEST.
  MOBUTU AND HOUPHET BOIGNY STAYED IN POWER BCOS OF THE WEST. THEY KEPT THEM THERE ...
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  THE PROBLEM IS THE ABSENCE OF STRONG INSTITUTIONS IN AFRICA AND ALSO THE WEST PROPPING UP DICTATORS WHEN THEY SERVE THE INTERESTS OF THE WEST.
  MOBUTU AND HOUPHET BOIGNY STAYED IN POWER BCOS OF THE WEST. THEY KEPT THEM THERE.

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• Kwame Sekyere 11 years ago

  Well spoken, my brother. Thank you!

  Well spoken, my brother. Thank you!

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• Captain Canada 11 years ago

  the west for all our problems. You have comprehension issues? What he listed were valid grievances. The worse dictators in Africa were all friends of the west at some point. So how can we talk about failed leadership in Afric ...
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  the west for all our problems. You have comprehension issues? What he listed were valid grievances. The worse dictators in Africa were all friends of the west at some point. So how can we talk about failed leadership in Africa without pointing to the west for their part?

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• Captain Canada 11 years ago

  Unfortunately you'll have stooges who will attack you for stating the obvious. Ghaddafi was blessing to Africa. But much like our ignorance on how to use our resources be it human or minerals, we abandoned it and allowed the ...
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  Unfortunately you'll have stooges who will attack you for stating the obvious. Ghaddafi was blessing to Africa. But much like our ignorance on how to use our resources be it human or minerals, we abandoned it and allowed the west to take it away from us. Imagine if African leaders had gone to Libya to learn about how to run a country without relying on the west. Your observation of Sankara was also spot on. His crime was standing up to the French.

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• Manisd 11 years ago

  Could the failure for Parliament itself for allowing things to go this way? Enjoyed your article and thanks for sharing.

  Could the failure for Parliament itself for allowing things to go this way? Enjoyed your article and thanks for sharing.

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• BOY KOFI 11 years ago

  I think if we do away with dictatorship,military coup and unlimited stay in power we should not be talking of curse at all.The truth of the matter is we should allow our new found democracy to grow.Thank you.

  I think if we do away with dictatorship,military coup and unlimited stay in power we should not be talking of curse at all.The truth of the matter is we should allow our new found democracy to grow.Thank you.

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• Lexus 11 years ago

  Brilliant as usual!!!
  Lil' disappointed Nana Sir Togbui Avaklasu was not referenced in this well-written piece. I bet you were very wisely avoiding the perennial, lynching suspects. Good job, pal.
  JJR seems to be an ultimat ...
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  Brilliant as usual!!!
  Lil' disappointed Nana Sir Togbui Avaklasu was not referenced in this well-written piece. I bet you were very wisely avoiding the perennial, lynching suspects. Good job, pal.
  JJR seems to be an ultimate survivor, who is always a couple of steps ahead of the pack. He may go to Heaven if he can successfully incite a mob action against this God-forsaken regime of Kofi Dubai.

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• Greatman, USA 11 years ago

  The African leader;
  1, ascends to power; without God's willing but personal greediness and more personal objectives.
  2.Are devilry-married to a secret evil power of protection and hope.
  3,Knows when his entry into power ...
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  The African leader;
  1, ascends to power; without God's willing but personal greediness and more personal objectives.
  2.Are devilry-married to a secret evil power of protection and hope.
  3,Knows when his entry into power and a shadow of his exit.
  4,Dance their own rhythm, self grace to self disgrace.
  5,Those who had the people/country at heart are living and will live more longer.
  
  SPECIFICALLY, which Ghanaian leader will be less power drunk and be called the next "MANDELA"? Ooh GOD.
  HOPE IN A GHANAIAN LEADER IN THIS GENERATION IN A CURSE.

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• Greatman, USA 11 years ago

  The African leader;
  1, ascends to power; without God's willing but personal greediness and more personal objectives.
  2.Are devilry-married to a secret evil power of protection and hope.
  3,Knows when his entry into power a ...
  read full comment

  The African leader;
  1, ascends to power; without God's willing but personal greediness and more personal objectives.
  2.Are devilry-married to a secret evil power of protection and hope.
  3,Knows when his entry into power and a shadow of his exit.
  4,Dance their own rhythm, self grace to self disgrace.
  5,Those who had the people/country at heart are living and will live more longer.

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• Teacher 11 years ago

  If this is the sorry lot of African leaders, why does Akufo-Addo want it so much? Is it a death wish?
  
  This question is pertinent because this article appears in the party newspaper. Is the writer, an NPP supporter, sendin ...
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  If this is the sorry lot of African leaders, why does Akufo-Addo want it so much? Is it a death wish?
  
  This question is pertinent because this article appears in the party newspaper. Is the writer, an NPP supporter, sending a hidden message to the old man to give it up to have his "peace and piece of mind"?
  
  It has not gone well for ANY of the guys who have led us so far. Those that were not gunned down died in their beds either in exile far away from their places of birth or in penury. The only former heads of state we have now are Rawlings who cannot walk any street in Ghana alone and in peace, and Kufuor, come to think of it, who cannot also exactly do that either.
  
  So why does Akufo-Addo want it soooo much at an age when he should relax at home and tell stories to his grandchildren?

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• LONTO-BOY 11 years ago

  In Africa, political power can be intoxicating. This can be seen in many African leaders mentioned, both in the past and present. When you've partisan, ethnic, regional-based politics, large number of uneducated and uninforme ...
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  In Africa, political power can be intoxicating. This can be seen in many African leaders mentioned, both in the past and present. When you've partisan, ethnic, regional-based politics, large number of uneducated and uninformed citizenry, weak and intimidated institutions, and to some extent "useful idiots" in Parliament, the stage is then set for gross abuse of political power, corruption and arbitrary leadership.
  
  Of course, good political leadership is Africa's missing ingredient. A continent blessed with mineral and human resources, yet so poor! Africa simply lacks patriotic, committed, responsible, honest and transformational leadership.

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• Greatman, USA 11 years ago

  The New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo must be commended for insisting on the expansion of the electoral college of the party, former President Jerry Rawlings has said.
  
  DO African leaders speak good of their r ...
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  The New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo must be commended for insisting on the expansion of the electoral college of the party, former President Jerry Rawlings has said.
  
  DO African leaders speak good of their rilry?

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• ANIM MOSES,ADA 11 years ago

  Hi MDT.I decided not to comment on this topic but your assertion that this discussion is of no sense compels me to do so.Summarily,the problem with many, if not most,of us is that we assume we are encyclopedias of knowledge w ...
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  Hi MDT.I decided not to comment on this topic but your assertion that this discussion is of no sense compels me to do so.Summarily,the problem with many, if not most,of us is that we assume we are encyclopedias of knowledge when in fact,we know nothing.Knowledge is socially constructed.Please,your assertion is scholarly poor

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• PhiIip Kobina Baidoo 11 years ago

  They reap what they sow. When you sow the wind you reap the whirlwinds.

  They reap what they sow. When you sow the wind you reap the whirlwinds.

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• BOY KOFI 11 years ago

  When you have a better system of governance with democratic principles such wicked tendencies will not occure.This is the reason Ghana should hold its democratic dispensation carefully.We must allow democracy to work,respect ...
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  When you have a better system of governance with democratic principles such wicked tendencies will not occure.This is the reason Ghana should hold its democratic dispensation carefully.We must allow democracy to work,respect the rule of law,allow institutions to grow stronger but not create King Kongs or Supermen.Democracy is what has been missing in Africa for the last couple of decades,thanks God we are getting there.Thank you.

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• MDT 11 years ago

  This article makes no sense. Its just a collocation of historical facts. Nothing else.
  Besides, what is wrong with the people who indeed entrusted power to some1, who for whatever reasons begins to and continue astraying, ...
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  This article makes no sense. Its just a collocation of historical facts. Nothing else.
  Besides, what is wrong with the people who indeed entrusted power to some1, who for whatever reasons begins to and continue astraying, forcefully chasing out such a person since he refuses to do so respectively despite all compelling signs that the people are now fed up.
  
  Exactly, what is curse here? All those leaders who suffered from the uprising of the masses deserved that, with the exception of Gaddafi.

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• JOHN VIVIMOUS 11 years ago

  It is a nice article and historically factual however, I'm surprised by the fact that Dr Sarfo in his historical account, mentioned names in all the African nations except in his native Ghana where he just glossed over the at ...
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  It is a nice article and historically factual however, I'm surprised by the fact that Dr Sarfo in his historical account, mentioned names in all the African nations except in his native Ghana where he just glossed over the atrocities committed by one man who staged two coups, stayed on as military leader and then in the words of Dr Sarfo, handed power to himself in a so-called elections not before killing all living heads of state before him, several men and women of the Judiciary and countless civilians. But he is still alive and enjoying his ill-gotten wealth. So Ghana could be the place for such atrocious African leaders .

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• Stephen B 11 years ago

  Because we turn ourselfs too quick to followed white culture without understanding.

  Because we turn ourselfs too quick to followed white culture without understanding.

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• Mr T 11 years ago

  Sir your views on Libya is absolutely preposterous!! In the next 100yrs your country (Ghana) can not reach where Ghadafi took Libya. You should know that not every coup is bad! Besides you didn't mention Egypt and the overthr ...
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  Sir your views on Libya is absolutely preposterous!! In the next 100yrs your country (Ghana) can not reach where Ghadafi took Libya. You should know that not every coup is bad! Besides you didn't mention Egypt and the overthrow of a democratic government ( supported by the West)

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• kutsii 11 years ago

  Dr. Adjei Salford , don't u know that it is the same white man who helps these Africans to be power drunk ? Let me tell u, There are better intellectuals who can manage African and eradicate poverty. The truth is that the we ...
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  Dr. Adjei Salford , don't u know that it is the same white man who helps these Africans to be power drunk ? Let me tell u, There are better intellectuals who can manage African and eradicate poverty. The truth is that the west will not like such people like Kwame Nkrumah to come to power so they support these fools s to their benefit. They capture our oil, hgold , timber and even fish. They sign stupid contracts with our foolish leaders. How can u take 4% of your gold and only 10% in oil. How can Vodafone take 70% of telecom share when they gave only 930 million dollars. They bribe Kufuor 3% and he sold the Resource of our ancestors for peanuts. One day we shall pick him from retirement to answer that nonsense contract.
  So Dr. A. Sarfo , the white man is our problem and they kill our leaders and even musicians who try to enlighten us. So next time u write, pls deal with the remote courses of slavery and tell the west to refrain from helping idiots to be in power, till their people are fed up and kill them.

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