We need new leaders, not political managers; Lecturer

A Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana is convinced Ghana’s economic debacles are largely the problem of poor leadership.

Dr Ransford Gyampo told Joy News the country is confronted with a challenge of leadership and until that is sorted out, the country will still be reeling in the quagmire of poverty.

He was supporting calls by the Head pastor of the Iinternational Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Dr Mensa Otabil for a new leadership response to national crisis.

The head pastor said if the same nonchalant  approach is adopted by the political leadership, the country could soon head towards a major catastrophe.

Government has been quick to rubbish the concerns of the religious leader, with Communications Minister, Dr Omane Boamah describing Dr Otabil’s comments as unfortunate.

But in an interview with Joy News’ Francisca Kakra Forson, the lecturer at the University of Ghana, who is also a Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said he agrees largely with comments expressed by Otabil.

He wondered why the country has experimented  with a number of development strategies, many of which were imposed by the IMF and yet the country was challenged.

He was quick to conclude that leadership has been the problem.

“If we are talking about leadership then it should be the core factor in explaining why we are where we are today,” he pointed out

He said a leader must have the “ability to inspire and influence all others to give enthusiastic cooperation and strive towards the attainment of a broader vision and not a party manifesto.”

When asked if the current leadership should be changed or overhauled, the political science lecturer said: “Yes, why not? We need a leader. We are not talking about managers. We have had political managers in our country for a long time but we are talking about people who will be able to inspire all to achieve a broader vision.”