A Methodist Bishop has taken a swipe at African leaders who are bent on staying in power forever.

“We have a problem with leadership in Africa. Most of our leaders seem to forget that they will one day leave the scene and therefore are tempted to manipulate the system and people, to keep them in power perpetually,” the Right Reverend Professor Osei Safo-Kantanka lamented.

Some African leaders, he said, in an attempt to hide their own evil deeds, have been in power for over 25 years and are still looking for the opportunity to perpetuate their stay.

Addressing the 54th Annual Synod of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church of Ghana (MCG) at Amakom, Right Reverend Prof. Safo-Kantanka said what the continent lacked was a comprehensive leadership succession plan.

He described as unacceptable the failure to groom potential leaders to take over the mantle of leadership, indicating that, “in most cases, those power-conscious leaders exit the scene, leaving their countries in hopeless situations”.

The Synod was held on the theme “The Unfinished Task”, and was designed to provide the church the platform to take stock of its activities.

Rt. Rev. Prof. Safo-Kantanka, who is the Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, said in order to consolidate the gains made on the continent, it was incumbent on the leadership to mentor and also groom the younger generation.

This was critical to equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to continue with the good works they had started to benefit the people.

The Methodist Bishop asked the members to prioritize the church’s K.O. Redevelopment Project which involves the construction of an ultra-modern building complex to serve as offices for organizations.

They should also be committed to all other projects intended to generate funds for the church.