Former President John Mahama has said being a leader is a “difficult job”.

“As President, I was faced with many difficult decision points, but if those decisions were not taken at the time, the results would have been dire for the nation. Ghana being the fastest growing economy was a result of some of these decisions”, Mr Mahama said in Amityville, Long Island, New York, as Special Guest of the New York Ministers Conference of the Assemblies of God Church, where he used the opportunity to speak to the church, pastors and the 2018 class of newly-ordained pastors about leadership.

The former Ghanaian president said: “As a leader, you must focus on how to be a servant-leader. It is only then that when you’re faced with difficult decisions as a leader, you will err on the side of what will propel your nation or your church or your institution forward”.

He said: “Throughout my political life”, “I’ve enjoyed strength from the church”, and “I thank Rev. Ernest Agyei who brought me to Christ. The Church has been supportive all through, especially after my electoral loss in 2016”.

According to him, his upbringing and disappointments with previously chosen courses at the university, “which led me to study History, Communication Studies and Social Psychology, and, of course, God’s blessings”, have been his guide.

Mr Mahama told the attendees that the African continent has made some inroads, and it was time Africans trumpeted those success.

“African economies are growing, IT innovation by young Africans is amazing and I can say that, indeed, Africa is rising. The world media may not focus on that, but we as Africans must tell our story as we go around the globe.

“Thank you very much for the invitation to share some thoughts and for the recognition. I recall our time in Missouri during the centennial celebration of the Assemblies of God in 2014. Thank you and I have enjoyed tonight just as I did then”, he said.