Africa’s time is now but African leaders must discover the real vision for the continent.
The 45th week of year 2011 was a week of Africa’s great blessing. Fortunately for Africa, Jesus ‘suspended’ His second coming. The world did not end on 11/11/11. Once again, Jesus has been vindicated for saying that no one knows the Judgment Day except God. If man were to know the day, everybody will go to Heaven. In the midst the agitations that this so-called ‘prophecy’ generated, however, African leaders once again demonstrated their courage. They largely gathered at the International Conference Centre (at Accra, Ghana) from 10th -11th November, 2011 to deliberate on the state of the continent, and the way forward. The great gathering was a leadership forum under the theme: “Enhancing Africa’s Business Opportunities through Effective Public and Private Partnership”. By the kind courtesy of Vodafone ABLF 2011 Team, I was privileged to be among 101 Young African Leaders that participated in the forum. The need for visionary and transactional leadership was at the centre of almost all sessions of the forum. Besides, it was repeatedly pointed out that Africa’s time is now. That Africa’s moment is now!
The statement that Africa’s time is now is premised on the facts that the continent– 1) has somewhat withstood the negative effects of the global economic downturn; 2) is a very fertile ground for the next global economy boom; 3) is still rich in both natural and human resources; 4) is attracting the attention of investors and businesses across the globe; and so forth. Ghana is for example listed among the four fastest growing economies on earth. It is therefore suggested that Africa must seize this great moment to positively turn her story (particularly economic growth and development) around. I fully agree with this godly view. Great discoveries and other great things came to the limelight because their facilitators discovered and respected the Law of Timing. The Sons of Issachar for instance knew the times. Daniel of old discovered the real time to turnaround the captivity of the Israelites. One of the greatest mistakes a person can make is to miss that person’s kairos moment. Therefore, African leaders must positively respond to the demands of the Law of Timing. The Law says that when to lead is as important as what to do and where to go. For John C. Maxwell, a leadership expert, “Reading a situation and knowing what to do are not enough to make you succeed in leadership. If you want your organization, department, or team to move forward, you must pay attention to timing. Only the right action at the right time will bring success. Anything else exacts a high price. No leader can escape the Law of Timing”. This means that real leaders do the right things at the right time. John C. Maxwell once wrote, “When the right leader and the right timing come together, incredible things happen”.
Vision is everything. No wonder the wise king of Israel, Solomon, stated in his book of Proverbs, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)). This means that where there is no revelation of the future, people throw off self-control, personal discipline, and restraint. For Dr. Myles Munroe, “Vision is the source of personal and corporate discipline”. King Solomon’s statement therefore captures the significant role vision has in our individual, corporate, and national lives. Dr. Myles Munroe rightly wrote, “Nothing noble or noteworthy on earth was ever done without vision. No invention, development, or great feat was ever accomplished without the inspiring power of this mysterious source called vision”. (Emphasis is mine). Vision makes the unseen visible and the unknown possible. It also makes suffering and disappointment bearable. The problems hampering African’s advancement call for new visions.
Real leaders are visionary. They are also people of integrity. Besides, they focus on how to overcome the real challenges of the society they lead. Such leaders selflessly and passionately design and implement strategic blue prints to meet the real needs of the people they serve. Joseph and Daniel of old are key examples. Joseph as a wise prime minister saved Egypt and the entire world from some possible nagging effects of a 7-year stern famine. His economic policies stood the test of time. Joseph remains the world’s greatest economic adviser, wise planner, and selfless leader. He was for example entrusted with the wealth of Egypt (the world’s then most powerful nation) yet he was never accused of embezzlement or corruption. He demonstrated personal integrity and transparency to their apex. Besides, Joseph never abused his authority. Although he had within his powers to for example retaliate the wickedness of his elder brothers, he showed mercy and sought for their welfare. Joseph preferred reconciliation to vindictiveness. He walked in the counsel of the Lord. Daniel was a 100% super star. He was clothed with divine knowledge, divine wisdom, divine intelligence, and supernatural understanding. No wonder he was ten times better than the so-called wise men in the Babylonian kingdom. Daniel was preferred over all the other governors in the kingdom. He never compromised his godly standards although he reigned in the midst of crooked governors. Daniel preferred being a shining example to joining the majority of the crooked governors in their perversions. He was blameless in all his ways. Daniel’s positive character traits extinguished the diabolic schemes of his fervent opponents. He never allowed his detractors to dilute his focus.
Joseph and Daniel were blameless leaders. These great leaders had many things in common. They had common secrets. Those secrets are central to their exemplary leadership feats. Firstly, they had personal knowledge of God. They were, as a result, men of right spiritual sensitivity. Secondly, they acknowledged God’s presence in all situations. Thirdly, they completely relied on and looked unto God moment by moment. They for example sought God’s guidance before taking any step or decision. Besides, they obeyed the laws of God to the letter. In other words, they applied God’s word to their own lives and everything they did. In addition, they had forgiving and pure hearts. Moreover, they chose to serve their generations rather than seeking their personal welfare or lording over their people. Finally, they subjected their authority to God’s authority. It is worth noting that the qualities these exemplary leaders demonstrated can only be found in God. Education and much learning can never produce them. Technology is never a substitute to these indispensable qualities. No form of human training and teachings can cure corruption, greed, selfishness, dishonesty and wickedness. Human systems do not have the right force to promote law and order. Besides, no human-based organization can secure and maintain true world unity and peace. Charismatic leadership is never a substitute to character-based leadership. True leadership is in towels, not in titles. Jesus Christ’s models and principles of leadership cannot be sacrificed for human ideologies without multiplying our sorrows. His leadership principles and acts are undeniably the best. They are divine, reliable, workable and lasting. Joseph and Daniel used them.
It is time for African leaders to humbly seek the face of the creator of the continent to ask the right questions. Why did God create Africa and everything in her? Why the vast natural and human resources? Why the poor mismanagement, and blind and crooked leadership? God definitely had something in mind while creating Africa. He had a purpose and a good plan for the people of Africa. Lies within that purpose are the needed visions Africa needs to change her story. We have leaned on our understanding for far too long yet we are still not where we should be by now. It is time to go back to our roots. Africans and their leaders must get rooted in God. People who are deeply rooted in God are committed, courageous, fruitful, and exemplary. Trees require roots and branches. A tree must abide in its roots before it can bear fruits. Trees draw strength, values, and virtues from their roots. God is Africans tap root (Genesis 1:1). His Word is our secondary root (John 1:5; Rev. 5:5). It is our connectedness to the Root that determines our greatness in all facet of life. A tree which is not connected to its roots is a dead tree.

It is impossible to rightly rule a nation without divine guidance and protection. It is a common knowledge that the function of a product is dictated either by its manufacturer or its manual or both. God is the manufacturer of Africa and everything in and under the Heavens. Therefore, it is impossible to rightly govern Africa without full dependence on God and the Bible. George Washington, the first president of USA, said ‘‘It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible”. I fully agree. We certainly cannot be smarter and wiser than our Creator. I strongly believe George Washington knew what he talked about. The so-called developed economies have been ignoring this truth and fully depended on themselves. Although they have attained balloon economic boom, today they are virtually losing everything. Whatever God does is forever but self-induced successes of human beings are shaky. Ask the erstwhile once most powerful nations like Egypt and Babylon. Where is their power? It is Africa’s time but Africans must humbly go back to their roots if they really want to attain anything of lasting value. God ALONE knows the thoughts (good plans) He thinks (had designed for) toward Africa-thoughts of peace, not of evil. Thoughts to give Africa a future and a hope. He is readily ready to listen to us when we call upon Him in this kairos moment. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and WILL HEAL THEIR LAND” – 2Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) (Emphasis is mine). Africa needs both healing and visionary leaders to realize her full destiny. This is the time!
Richard Obeng Mensah, co-author of 37 Benefits of Reading. borncapy@yahoo.com/
www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com