The State Of Leadership And Development In The Volta Region

Press Release By The Volta Advocacy Forum On The State Of Leadership And Development In The Volta Region

The creeping sense of despondency amongst the people of the Volta Region and the agitation by some groups (Chiefs, youth groups, prominent people etc.) stems from an apparent deficit of competent leadership in the region. This has necessitated a closer look at the region with the view of providing a complete overhaul of the region’s leadership direction. The Volta Region has been taken for granted for far too long by politicians.

The state of disrepair of infrastructure, the free fall in educational standards, inadequate medical services, the lack of any pragmatic policy to permanently arrest the increasing rate of unemployment and the untapped tourism potential are just a few issues that must be addressed.

Sadly enough, it has become very easy for leaders and activists to impugn political motives to genuine lamentations by well meaning citizens of the region. With the two major political parties disregarding the region either because they are convinced the people will not vote for them, or will vote for them regardless of their living conditions.

The state of development of the Volta Region is a reflection of the ineptitude of many of the leaders (MPs, DCEs, MCEs and Government Appointees) in the region. In the past, the charisma and leadership of former president Rawlings and the quality of leaders like Courage Korshigah, Korsi Kedem, the late Clend Sowu, Kwabena Adjei, Kojo Ayeke, G.K. Agama, Alex Ababio etc was more than enough to out shine the mediocrity of the likes of Esi Pomari, Nat Aduadzo, Emil Brentuo etc.

Today, the hard work of the Doe Adjahos, Avedzi Klutses has been overshadowed by the low confidence and ineffective leadership usually exhibited by Edem Asimah, Charles Hodogbe, Jacob Hayibor, Joseph Amenorwode, Emmanuel Bedzra, Azumah Mensah, Joseph Kweku Nayan and Captain G.K. Nfodjoh and some of their cohorts who at their best have exhibited perhaps the most shambolic leadership experienced in the history of the Volta Region. A large majority of the current crop of political leaders in the region can fairly be described as lacking national character, not well informed on critical national issues, inarticulate, lacking the confidence and ability to lead their followers towards developing the region.

The story with majority of the government appointees (Ministers, DCEs and MCEs) representing the president in the region is just pathetic. They have been quick in assuring the President that all was well when actually there are really pressing issues confronting the various districts and municipalities in the region. This was evident when the youth of Ho who could no longer harbor their frustrations took to the streets to make public their frustrations.

Surprisingly, Mr. Isaac Kodobisah, the MCE of Ho, was quick to assure the President that all was well. In terms of competence, the man clearly falls short of the standard required of a municipal area like Ho. It is baffling that he continues to occupy that office. . This is the scenario in most of the other districts in the region. Of course, VAF cannot discount the fact that party members should be rewarded for their role in assisting political parties to come to power. But their ‘thank you’ gifts should be based first on competence in order that the people they represent can benefit. Conversely, it appears the need for effective and visionary leadership in the region has been and continues to be short-changed for mediocre but entrenched personalities. VAF expects competence and merit to be the guiding principles in appointing or electing people to positions in the region but not political sycophancy. Our leaders must be doers, people who will take initiative and work within a clear and defined framework towards developing the region.

Some of the DCEs and MCEs in the region have become tin gods in their various districts. Many have not only shown that they lack the requisite ideas, ability, and the organizational skills to harness the local resources including the human and natural resources to develop their various districts and municipalities but also exhibited gross mediocrity. It is time politicians in the region got the message loud and clear that political leaders are put in office to serve their people and not to be served.

The political leadership of the region is not only weak but seems to be non-existent. One wonders if we have representatives in parliament at all. How many MPs from the region can we pinpoint as having national character and whose voices are weighty enough to attract the attention of their peers, let alone that of the President on any issue? A look at the list of MPs from the Volta Region will leave one wondering whom most of these people are. Ironically many of them have been in parliament for more than one term. It appears many of them just add up to the numbers in parliament. The age old excuse given by many dormant, subpar MPs that most of their work is at the committee level will no longer be accepted. Merely being a part of a committee should not and will not give refuge for below average performance.

This year 2012 provides a golden opportunity for a shift in paradigm. The upcoming political primaries of the ruling NDC affords the people the opportunity to determine a new future for the region. It is an opportunity to embrace competence, dynamism and astute leadership. The VAF is calling on Voltarians to view these upcoming primaries as perfect opportunity to make steep changes in the region’s set of leaders. It is also a golden chance to retire the likes of Jacob Hayibor, Albert Ziga, Richard Agbenyefia-Lassey, Akua Sena Dansua, Captain Nfodjou, Bedzrah, Edem Asimah, Patience Azumah Mensah etc. whose performance and contribution to national discourse remain mediocre at best. This will send a loud message t to all who seek parliamentary seats just to catapult themselves to political glory. The key word going forward will be competence.

VAF would love to see some experienced politicians retained in fairly significant capacities like Doe Adjaho, James Afedzi Klutse and onboard brilliant men like Fiifi Kwetey, Dr. Gavuah, George Loh, Okudzeto Ablakwa, Rockson Dafeamekpor, Peter Kenyenso and the new generation of competent and forward looking leaders emerging from the region.

Those lamenting the plummeting fortunes of the so called World Bank should not lose sight of the fact that “a World Bank with an inept manager is in reality a Rural Bank”. The lazy and inept politicians can rest assured that they will have a tough time with VAF as we are bent on providing perhaps the most glowing ray of hope to plug the leadership vacuum they have left.

Electronically signed

David Kumah

Convenor-VAF