Recently a proud son of Ghana- Prof Nana S.K.B. Asante made a very remarkable statement concerning the post Kufuor leadership of the country. He called on political decision makers [delegates] to focus the election of the next president based on aspirants’ individual "contributions, capabilities, conduct, track record of service and commitment." He went on to caution the political parties’ kingmakers and Ghanaians to select someone who "can do the job and not the person who wants the job.”

“We need a visionary leader who can keep up and sustain the macro economic stability, good political governance so far established and achieve the much-needed economic independence to match with our political independence", noted the chief.

Adding, he noted "indeed we need a leader who has a deep and intimate appreciation of where this country is coming from and where it needs to get in the shortest possible time," http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=128444

This call is indeed, a very welcome one from such a respectable personality, and it is important that other key personalities in our society will continue to encourage, charge and share with our political delegates of the need to uphold these vital qualities when deciding on who they cast their vote for to compete for the national presidency.

Indeed, Ghana’s situation by all standards calls for the much needed leadership that has an exceeding and better understanding of our socio-economic challenges. We need that single leader with a greater sense of vision with the determination and the knowledge to succeed. And that person must have something on his sleeves to prove that yes he can manage public and government institutions to change the entire society for economic independence and social equity and progress.

The least we expect at this time of our democratic dispensation is to have people who lack the confidence and self commitment to make greater impact within a reasonably shorter period. Ghana does not need political rhetoric that swirls around like the wind and end up gathering nothing. We need a practical president of substance that can consolidate and effectively build on the progress so far made, for we have tightened our belts indefinitely and only God knows when they will be loosened for us to take in extra breath of life.

Sadly, it so happens some times that for instant, immediate and short term benefits and satisfaction we forget that tomorrow is possible and exists for us and our children. Hence, we tend to sacrifice tested materials and people that can actually change our society positively for people whose popularity is based on fruitless dissipation of cash without any regard for decorum. We need to ask ourselves: if such 'cash throwers' had really toiled for their booty will they be spending it the way they are doing?

This we must protect Ghana from; as the consequences will forever be abject poverty and hopelessness, and the better pass mark here is generational mortgaging into disease, illiteracy, homelessness, oppression and suppression, injustices, sycophancy and all that are at loggerhead with dignity, humanity and development.

Let those who have the God-given privilege to decide the leadership of the NPP on behalf of the millions of supporters to use and protect their conscience and integrity by electing the personality that has the character, determination, vision, direction, human skills and contacts to change the institutions of Ghana. I believe that if we can simply answer who can empower our society to learn how to fish ourselves, we will never be at odds with our conscience. We need to follow our conscience and not the masses. That is the only way we can see what the future have for us.

Goethe once said “Conscience is the virtue of observers and not of agents of action.” Hence, virtue comes about only when the people observing the ‘performers’ and ‘actors’ do so according to their conscience- knowing very well that they are equally answerable should their judgement and decision fail to positively change the society. Something they shall forever live with.

So it is important that our delegates, who are observing the numerous ‘would be presidential’ actors, will let conscience for humanity, Ghana, and future generation be their guiding principles in their decision on the leadership of the NPP come December 22, 2007.

Much as some people will use the period as their ‘cocoa season’ -a system justified to some extent, unfortunately- as there is the greater possibility that they will never matter again immediately after December 22- I join the silent majority to passionately plead with them to be circumspect and thoughtful about the end product of their decision as that will either do or undo Ghana for a much longer period.

It is on this note that I will urge opinion leaders and family members close to the constituency executives of our party to use every legitimate and moral medium to impress on them [delegates of the NPP] to elect somebody who can change the fortunes of the party and Ghana positively. This will help put a halt at the 4 yearly ‘seasonal harvest’ of their ‘cocoa’, and that they will be proud that their decision has given rise to job for the economically active people; and that businesses are bearing fruits and our society is enjoying the full benefit of democracy and good governance.

Let us not see democracy as a system for elections only, but that it will be the focal point to use the best people and materials to lead in our determination to develop and prosper.

It is at time sad when people question the credibility and capabilities of some people in higher positions [all because of fruitless leadership personal expediencies, sycophancy and bigotry] looking at the vast human resources we have in the country. Such question will not have come about if we were resolute on who we thought have the qualities and skills to lead us in meeting our collective aspirations without ‘selling’ our conscience. That is the only way we as citizens can also be resolute in demanding accountability and stewardship of the responsibilities we place on their [leadership] shoulders.

We say that an elder does not sit unconcerned for soya beans to wet; and that an elder who also sits unconcerned to allow children eat python, is also counted among python eaters. That is why Prof S.K.B Asante must be complimented for not being naïve, unconcerned and passive- as most learned and opinion leaders in our society often do- as he strongly believes posterity will never forgive him for not helping to lay a foundational destiny of hope, progress, jobs and wealth, education, health and above all human dignity.

There is nothing greater than these values and they are not beyond our capabilities. We are blessed with the resources [material and human] to realise them. All that is needed is to consciously place responsible people with positive character and hungry to turn our society for the better. Mind you, no matter the number and the intellects of the people it only takes one person to change the entire society either for good or bad. Let history and our own experiences guide us.

We do not need any better person than our own Prof and Chief to advise us on who and the qualities we should elect at this crucial time of our development. For how long can we sit to allow effective, efficient and humane leadership with a class of management skills elude us? A word to the wise…

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