POOR LEADERSHIP : BANE OF AFRICA

Poor leadership is the bane of African society. This has engendered poverty, civil wars, civil strives, and all worth not. African countries of post-colonial era, witnessed high level of poverty among the masses, due to corrupt leaders. The rich is getting richer, while the poor is getting poorer. The gap between the rich and poor is widening. The general thinking is that political independence, will improve the welfare and standard of living of the people. But, that is not to be. We are not economically independent, due to the emergence of selfish and brutal rulers; that abound in the continent, with exception of a few.
The fact remains that, had it been African countries are still being ruled by colonial masters, the common people would have been much better of economically. Many leaders of African countries are indigenous overlords, who have plunged vast majority of their people, into economic slavery, and poverty. They are looters; worse than colonial masters.
Due to inordinate ambitions of our rulers, to remain in power perpetually, they commit all forms of atrocities: ranging from tribalism, to killing of perceived opponents of their misrule. They are power drunk!
Virtually, all the civil wars in the continent are caused by tribal leaders. They think that by subjugating, and oppressing other tribes, they can perpetuate themselves in power, winning the sympathy of their tribesmen and others, even when they are very bad rulers.
Most of these dictators are members of secret societies. This makes them to be inhuman. They kill real and imagined opponents at will. They seem to forget that one day, they themselves will die and depart from this world, to give account of their lives before Almighty God, the Creator of the whole universe.
Mobutu Sese Sekou, was one of African dictators. He killed Patrick Lumumba, the then Prime Minister, and ascended to power. He emptied the treasury. He was believed be richer than Zaira (now Democratic Republic of Congo). He ruled with impunity. He used to tie leopard skin round his neck as talisman. He believed the talisman could protect him, from bullet shots and sudden death.
Eventually, death snatched him away after protracted illness. He died and left behind his ill-gotten money, mostly in foreign banks. God said, “As the partridge sits on eggs and hatch them not, so is he that gets riches, and not by right. He shall leave them in the midst of his days, and his end shall be a fool.
Idi Amin of Uganda, Emperor Bokassa of Central African Republic, and other dictators were not left out. Idi Amin shed much blood in Uganda: killing his critics including a Catholic priest, at the slightest provocation. He caused so much chaos and instability in his country. Then, came God’s judgement. A war between Uganda and Tanzania broke out. Shortly, Tanzanian soldiers overran Uganda, and Idi Amin fled to Saudi Arabia where he later died.
After bulling on their people and emptying the treasuries, these dictators ended up in a sad not. Most of them don’t die old. God judges them. Dictators usually die in their prime, and leave their ill-gotten wealth. Adolf Hitler of Germany was a typical example.
Bad rulers also use religious conflicts, to divide and rule the people. They aid and abet religious and tribal riots; engage in wanton destruction of lives and property. They set tribes against each other. Though, they claim to be religious or godly, they are very inhuman and wicked. Murderers! Many of them commit adultery with other people’s wives. Religious hypocrites! God said in the book of Psalms, that bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days. Many  of   them    commit  adultery  with  other  people’s  wives.
When  they  finally die of  sickness or old  age; after  decades   of   lordship,  their  sons  will  move  to “reclaim” their  fathers’  exalted   positions, (sorry, the family property). Then, the billions  they  stashed abroad, including into Swiss bank, cannot  be  traced.  Many of them  have  coded  bank  accounts abroad.
They die  and  leave  behind  their riches and concubines! The holy  scriptures  remind us that naked we come into this world, naked we will go. Our main purpose of  coming into this  world,  is  to  serve  Almighty God   and humanity. It is what we do for God that lasts.  All other things are vanities.
There  are   some  leaders  in   African countries    that     have    remained    shining examples, despite the  activities of evil rulers. Present leadership  of  Ghana is one of them. The  country  passed  through  many  ordeals after  the founding fathers,  including  Kwame Nkrumah  helped  to secure  political independence  for  the  country, and  left  the scene. Several   rulers took  over  the  stage in quick succession,   mostly   soldiers.  They   plundered    the   country’s   wealth;   bought   exotic cars, and houses for  their  mistresses;   killed    many    political  opponents,  among  other   atrocities.   As   a  result,   Ghanians   were trooping  out  of   their  country  to other African  countries,  in   search  of   means  of livelihood. They   did   all   sorts of odd  jobs  for paltry  sum. They  were  cleaners,  house helps, and so on.

Then, 27 year-old  Jerry  Rawlings   took over power. He was then  Flight Lieutenant in the  military.  He  decided  to  try  all  the past Heads of State of Ghana; including all former military rulers.   They   were   found  guilty  of corruption and executed.
Today, Ghana is wearing a new look. He urged  the “refugees”  to    return,   and   help develop the country. And they obeyed. When they were  leaving Nigeria, they packed their belongings   in  mostly  polythene bags. They made the  bag  to be  popular, and dear in the  markets; during their  period  of exodus. That is why the bags are called “Ghana must go bags in Nigeria up till date.  Ghana’s economy has    improved      much    with  purposeful   leadership.   Anybody coming up to  rule  Ghana  as  President, does so with a deep  sense   of   caution, and accountability. He knows that he can be  called  upon  to  give account   of    his   stewardship,  years  after leaving office. Currently, Ghana is among the leading democracies in African continent, who can  conduct     credible    Presidential    Elections.
Nelson Mandela  of  South   Africa,   and late Julius Nyerere  of  Tanzania,  are  typical examples  of   true  national  leaders.  Shortly after  coming   out   of  prison  for his  part  in  the  liberation  struggle,  he   assumed leadership   of   his    country.   His  four-year   tenure,  virtually  brought   to   an  end  racial  segregation,  and   tribal   conflicts  in   South Africa.  He  served  as  President  for four years; and  voluntarily   stepped   down   for   Mbeki    to   lake   over   the saddle.
It   is  quite  unusual  in  Africa  context.  A ruler  can only “step aside”  under intense  pressure;  and  still  be  eying the top position like,  a  culture  eying   a  carcass.  At the slight opportunity, he  will buy his way  back  to power   with  his   stolen  money.  Mandela’s  reign  virtually ended tribalism  in  South Africa. Now, Jacob Zuma    is   the   current   President  of South Africa.  He  is  from   minority   tribe  of   Zulu.  It  wouldn’t   have   been   possible, if Nelson  Mandela  was   a   tribal   leader;   like   many African  rulers.  He  had   the   opportunity  to   perpetuate   himself   in    power,  by   aiding   and  abetting  tribal  and  racial   strives.   But  he   didn’t.  He  left   behind  legacies  of   truly  united  and  egalitarian  country.  No  allegation of corruption, or  looting of treasury,  was  ever  levied  against him.
Late  Julius   Nyerere   of   Tanzania, was    another   classical   example  of  what  a  true   leader   in  Africa   should   be.   He  offered   selfless  service   to   his  people.   He   was     among  the  founding  fathers    of  Tanzanian     independence,  from   colonial masters. After   relinquishing power  as Tanzanian  President, he  was  still  riding  on his ancient bicycle.
Late  Julius   Nyerere   of   Tanzania, was    another   classical   example  of  what  a  true    leader   in   Africa    should    be.   He  offered   selfless  service   to   his  people.   He   was     among  the  founding  fathers    of  Tanzanian     independence  from   colonial masters.   After     relinquishing power  as Tanzanian  President, he  was  still  riding  on his ancient bicycle.