General News of Friday, 20 December 2013

Source: GNA

Leadership is Africa's problem - Mr Swaniker

Mr Fred Swaniker, Chief Executive Officer of African Leadership Academy, has said the problem facing the African Continent is the issue of leadership to actualise its full potentials.

He said there is the need to groom young people who would take up the leadership mantle of the continent to improve on its fortunes.

Mr Swaniker was speaking at the 10th MTN Business World Executive Breakfast Meeting on the theme: “Achieving Inspirational Leadership in Business,” in Accra on Thursday.

The event organised by MTN in partnership with Business World is a platform for executive briefings, networking and business matching for chief executive officers, senior management professionals and entrepreneurs’ in Ghana to share ideas to grow their businesses.

He said when young people are given the opportunity to lead; it gets them prepared to face the future with boldness, confidence and courage.

Mr Swaniker, who is also a Social Entrepreneur, said the African continent have not been able to capture the talent and potentials of the youth at the tender age in its developmental process.

“If we get few good leaders, the African continent will change and develop,” he said.

He said the continent does not have strong institutions to stop power drunk leaders from being at post forever.

He said leaders in Africa have not been able to emancipate their citizens from poverty.

On the educational front, he said educational institutions need to change their strategy and mindset and focus on still development rather than content.

He advised the youth to take responsibility for everything they do and make sure they develop their potential and skills for national development.

Mrs Cynthia Lumor, Corporate Services Executive of MTN, commended the Business World magazine for its partnership to enrich the business community with ideas.