Ironically, we, Ghanaians, tend to bestow transcendent intelligence on persons who have the grasp of Englishman’s language. I am afraid, such a notion is sophistic. Having a command of English language cannot be a cynosure of transcendent powers of the mind.

Of course, having a command of English language is an advantage to individuals, given its ecumenical recognition. Nevertheless, I take an exception to a school of thought who holds a view that having a mastery of the English language is a sign of intelligence. I am afraid, that is specious. For I have had the opportunity to give remedial instructions to a group of English indigenes who had learning disabilities (mentally incapacitated), but had unbelievable linguistic precision.

Paradoxically, however, in Ghana, individuals are held in high esteem for having superlative grasp of Englishman’s language. How bizarre, how romantic, and how ironic to ascribe the superior powers of the mind to individuals with a mastery of Englishman’s language?

So with such an innate predilection, we tend to believe that a trained communicator for instance, can solve all our problems by virtue of his/her communication skills. No, having the precision of English language is not a leadership quality. In truth, it does not necessarily make one a great leader and thinker, but sad to admit, we, Ghanaians, are routinely lured by rhetoric devoid of substance.

We definitely need attitudinal and behavioural change, for we must not and cannot rely on individuals who can speak Englishman’s language superbly, albeit lack reflective thinking skills. For, if we continue that way, our beloved Ghana cannot have any meaningful advancement.

How long can we continue to put square pegs in round holes? Let’s face it; we cannot develop as a nation if we continue to appoint unsuitable people to fill important positions in the country because of narrow political affiliations.

Verily, Ghanaian political appointments are not predicated on the individual’s superior skills, ability, knowledge, experience and qualifications, but based on the individual’s political leanings. Yes, competence is not a criterion for most political appointments. Sadly, however, such idiosyncratic praxes routinely spawn mediocrity in the system.

Indeed, nepotism, cronyism, incompetence and sycophancy would not move our dear country forward, but such odd practices would rather slack the nation’s development.

It is apparent that we cannot build a prosperous nation with incompetence and sycophancy, but we can only develop as a nation by appointing suitable people to important positions.

Apparently, we are at where we are today because of shiftlessness. Square pegs have been put into round holes, and, the shiftless plebes persistently fail to deliver the goods. For, if that is not the case, why are we struggling despite all the copious resources at our disposal? Indeed, we lack pragmatic leadership.

The people we have entrusted to manage affairs are indeed incompetent, otherwise how can we command all these resources and still be in a pickle jar?

Of course, I am in acquiescence with the fact that every Ghanaian has a part to play in the nation building. However, if the managers of the economy fail to put advantageous policies in place, I am afraid, we will get nowhere.

To be quite honest, Ghana may not see any meaningful development, so long as we have leaders that are myopic, and only count their achievements with how much loan they are able to secure, and the number of schools they are able to remove from “under trees”. How pathetic.

What’s more, in so far as we have leaders that have no foresight, and are corrupt, greedy and incompetent; I dare say Ghana may never advance meaningfully in our lifetime.

Ironically, we began with the likes of South Korea, Malaysia and Brazil, but Look at where they are. They have developed their economies tremendously. They are making cars, Mobile phones, electronics, good roads, good housing, and pragmatic and expedient programmes to developed their respective countries, and just look at where we are today. Sadly, our beloved country is undergoing throes of economic collapse.

Regrettably, however, we now go to those countries we started life with, and beg for donations, or borrow money--do you remember STX? ‘Mourn your beloved country’.

“We need true leadership. We need leadership with vision and ideas, altruistic leadership devoid of corruption, greed, Incompetence, cronyism and capable of transforming us into an industrialized and robust economy.

“We are not serious as a nation, are we?”

K. Badu, UK.