Leadership Insights From Ghana’s 2024 Presidential And Parliamentary Elections: A Reflection On Governance And Democracy

The 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Ghana have offered a profound lens through which leadership, governance, and democracy can be examined. This article reflects on the pivotal lessons and leadership insights gleaned from the electoral process, the conduct of political actors, and the aspirations of the Ghanaian populace for a more inclusive and forward-thinking governance structure.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the president-elect of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama on his unparalleled victory in the recently concluded presidential election. Whilst wishing him well in his endeavours, I extend my deepest respect to H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the vice president of the Republic of Ghana, and also the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for his prompt and gracious act of conceding defeat in the presidential election.

His act exemplifies humility, a commitment to peace, and a genuine desire for national progress. Every individual has a political right. In other words, we have the right to join any political association of our choice. Furthermore, we have the right to vote for any political party we fancy. The 1992 constitution of Ghana mandates this right. It underpins the fact that no one has the absolute power to muzzle any individual based on his or her political right. Once the person attains the legitimate age of 18 years and above, he or she qualifies to exercise their political franchise. Indeed, politics is a way of life. It has to do with people and the choices they make on a daily basis.

As a nationalist, I prefer to weigh political issues from a non-partisan slant. The 2024 General Elections, both at the presidential and parliamentary levels have given us an insight into life’s lessons. I believe every wise person should glean great lessons on the rise and fall of candidates in this year’s political contest and apply their circumstances to all porticos of our endeavours. Thus, I bring to the fore, time-tested issues of great concern that are intended to change our persuasions forever:

1. No Position is Ever Permanent;

2. Self-Centred Leadership poses a threat to Good Governance;

3. Your Success or Failure is determined by the people You Lead;

4. The Need to Develop a Core Tempo for Your People.

No Position is Ever Permanent

Nothing we desire in this world lasts forever. In other words, everything we seek in this world is fleeting. Whether it is political position, power or influence within a corporate organisation, it doesn’t last forever. Therefore, be mindful when you occupy any position of authority. Yes, nothing in this life is ever permanent. Take the case of Members of Parliament (MPs) who have lost their seats; it indicates that the electorate cannot be taken for granted.

Today’s electorates are more discerning. It means they can clearly distinguish whom to support and whom to reject. Well, some may argue that some constituents may be churlish or unappreciative, but the big lesson is, politicians should learn to stay humble, focused and become purposeful in their line of duty. The reason is that, nothing lasts forever. You have a limited time to work. Therefore, on the job, you either stay above the status quo or maintain the existing state of affairs. If you fail to do so and slump below the bar, your exit will hardly come as a surprise.

Anyway, your core responsibility as a politician is to serve people through the development of your constituencies and for that matter, the nation as a whole.

Until social and economic developmental projects become your topmost priority, your position(s) will hang in a limbo. Stay humble and wear this thinking cap – true democracy belongs to the people and if you underperform, the citizens will show you where you belong. In any case, no condition is ever permanent!

Self – centred Leadership poses a threat to Good Governance

Leadership is about service. Your position gives you power to lead people towards the attainment of the bigger picture or goal. True leadership is not about the position you occupy; it is about making people’s lives better. In a real life situation, I have come to the realisation that, most people want to be led but they will not easily follow someone they have no emotional connection with, and above all, has an arrogant attitude. In other words, well-meaning followers will refuse to place their trust in the hands of any leader who does not know where he or she is going.

Politicians, particularly some Members of Parliament who have lost their seats likely failed to stay connected with their constituents, or they focused their attention on other issues whilst hiding themselves under the umbrella of complacency. In addition, it is most likely that widespread dissatisfaction with some governmental policies prompted voters to make a bold decision against the incumbent party, and majority of its Members of Parliament.

When things are left to chance, the power of the electorate’s thumb does the magic – they show you the red card. Until you learn to understand the dynamics of the human mind, nothing you do as a leader will impress them. For your information, the human mind is impressed with and aligned towards change.

Therefore, do what will cause a lift in the lives of the people you lead either within your constituency or the nation as a whole. Remember, when developmental projects are not done on time till the election year, wise electorates weigh all the options. Modern-day election is teaching us about the critical concerns of man.

A critical research should be conducted in identifying the most significant needs within a constituency and with perfect timing, executed to the letter. Any leader who disrespects his or her subordinates without any justifiable cause plans for his or her own failure. When you delay projects until the last minute, and start throwing money around, most intelligent electorates will see through your intentions and deceive you. Some may accept the bribe or backhander but ultimately disappoint you.

It’s time we shifted our focus from pride and complacency and redirected our attention towards excellence in leadership which creates development in all facets of the society – healthcare, business, education, culture, science and technology, media handling and improvement in good governance. Politicians should know that the conventional Ghanaian does not want any immodest leader. The average Ghanaian is not looking for a leader in a four-wheel drive who prioritises power over well-being and the development of their community.

The outcome of the 2024 General Elections has proven to most legislators that constituents have no time for gratified and self-centred leaders. Thus, when a strong contender shows up, electorates quickly gear up to shift camp and signal that they should be taken seriously.

The drift here is that we should lay off our superiority and conduct self-assessment to determine if we are really moving to the next phase of our priority module. Life presents a lot of challenges to us. It is left with us to identify our strengths and weaknesses and humbly deal with the latter whilst increasing the magnitude of the former in order to up our game.

Your Success or Failure is determined by the people You Lead

In real life situations, your success or failure depends on the people you lead. The moment you take people for granted, your fall begins. Why?

The power of the people is greater than the people with power. If you are a leader in any corporate organisation, college, ecclesiastical setting or in a community, you have a herculean task. You have to identify the core needs of the people and intelligently meet them. Though you cannot do everything to satisfy people, it is better to appreciate the complexities of the human mind.

Humans are agents of change. If they are not comfortable with you, you better look for ways of developing your skills to meet their sensitivity else prepare for the worse. When you continually overlook the worth of your subordinates, you should as well, make the attainment of your vision a forgettable experience.

As a leader, your responsibility is to love the people you lead. Do not throw your weight about and disgrace your subordinates in public, forgetting that your success or failure depends on them.

Most offices in our country need orientation in the way we handle employees or subordinates. Sometimes, we are unable to remember that those who work hard to uplift the image of the organisation may be at the base of the ladder. Out of extreme anger, some managers side-line the very people who can be of a great support to them and rather pick yes-men in building weak structures which may not be in the interest of the growth of the organisation.

If you allow your position or wealth to eat you up without building a cordial relationship with clear-minded subordinates, you make one of the greatest mistakes in life. It doesn’t mean that unscrupulous subordinates shouldn’t be penalized, rather, my point is that, we should always ask ourselves if our actions are timely and relevant.

Do you know that your progression or retrogression is tied down to those selfless employees you lead? Therefore, treat them well. Be mindful of the words you use towards them. Treat people with respect, else their silence, or apathy breeds discomfort in your organisation. Lead with people as your focus.

Apologize where necessary. Bring your people on board through the power of association and build a system where apathy or indifference becomes very minimal. Where necessary, give the right people the opportunity to unearth their skills, talents and potentials. That is the strength of any wise leader. It is in the light of this self-awareness that your success will soar higher like the strength of an eagle.

Develop a Core Tempo for your people

What is the rhythm of your life? What is your distinctiveness which attracts people to your space? When people continually withdraw from you, you better sit up to assess your lifestyle. Maybe the way you talk to them, or the way you carry yourself may not be the best.

Make this self-assessment in knowing what repels or attracts people’s attention to your core mandate. I choose to call it a tempo as in the musical mode. Apart from the lyrics or librettos of a song, the speed (either fast or slow) becomes a major determinant of the immensity of such a tune.

This analogy is like policies (either economic or social) that must be developed in making lives better in a country. The significance of this core tempo suffuses or saturates leadership in every aspect of life, whether we discuss leadership within the family, corporate organisation, national level, or any field of endeavour.

Since national political affairs touch each one of us and because the media applies such detailed and extensive analysis to those involved in the political ring, the world of politics provides the most accessible leadership at the moment. When your tempo is untimely, the flow of the song fails to impress your constituents.

Electorates are looking for leaders to give them the right tempo to enjoy the beauty of that song – livelihood. In leadership, a core tempo can also be classified as a LID. It is the most intriguing or functional skill, idea, word, or action-oriented policy that easily moves people to fall in love with your unconventionality. I am of the view that we cannot have a perfect system, but with a rhythm of discipline to the cause of a good socio-economic policy, a good system can be developed, regardless of where we find ourselves.

We should work in unison to build a better nation. Once you are controlled by any repulsive subordinate who carries an ulterior motive, you will reach nowhere. This is what has reflected in some of the incumbent Members of Parliament who have lost their seats. No matter how good you may be, electorates, voters, or citizens are looking for a core tempo. Conduct a proper research in identifying it to advance your career.

Our Ultimate Responsibility

Whether your political party is in power or not , the core principle of patriotism or nationalism must be our anchor. The key variables to the attainment of any corporate vision have been the leader, the task at hand, the environment and the people involved. As citizens of this nation, we have a task to perform. We have a duty to perform wherever we may find ourselves. We cannot sit on the fence and expect only a select few to build this nation.

With 67 years of sovereignty, it is our duty to contribute to the development of our country. Every section of Ghana needs better roads with street lights.

Yes, all the 275 constituencies deserve better social amenities. The youth should be offered decent jobs after college. High taxes on the importation of certain goods and other equipment should be reduced to ease the high cost of living in our country. Ghana needs quality educational system.

The present educational system, especially at the pre-tertiary level should be reviewed to make the learner more independent. Self-regulating learning under the right supervision from the instructor should be enforced in helping to develop the cognitive, psychomotor and affective arrangements of our students.

Political figures should wake up from their slumber and commit themselves to building a better nation for all of us. Our healthcare system, rich culture, science and technology, business, and the totality of our governance system should move to a higher level.

We have to fight corruption and bring it to the barest minimum in all sectors of our economy. We have to end illegal mining now, and devise the right way to mine our mineral resources. We have all the resources to make Ghana better. What we need is the commitment to implement good policies devoid of biases and ethnocentrism.

Competent people should be given the chance to work. The government must be closer to the people in building a united country which can become the beacon of hope not only for Africa, but the world at large. What happens after this general election? Ghana must go back to the drawing board in asking what exactly we want to achieve as a country and work together towards it. In our own little way, I respectfully charge all citizens to contribute their quota to help build a better Ghana.

To some legislators who have lost their seats in parliament, it is not over. Sit back and do your homework properly and come back stronger in the year, 2028. To the new Members of Parliament, I congratulate you all on your efforts. Remember, changing the lives of your constituents must be your focus. The year, 2028 is not far from here.

To our new president-elect, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, respectfully, let me offer you this kind advice: there are a lot of good policies the current administration also embarked on. Look through the lens of wisdom, and build upon those good policies to make Ghana a beacon of hope for the youth, and the elderly who have faithfully served this country. That is the essence of good governance.

To us as citizens, let us all join our forces together in making our country, greater and stronger!

Long Live Ghana.

Long Live Our Rich Democracy.

The writer is an academic, visiting lecturer, leadership consultant and a Reverend Minister with the WordSprings City Church, Kumasi-Ghana.

 

Source: Dr. Patrick Owusu/Pastor/Lecturer/Author