Attention! Qualified Leaders Needed

I begin this commentary knowing full well that some will disagree with me. I encourage it for diverse opinions build a strong nation. However as a Ghanaian who wishes only the best for my country i must do only as good conscience dictates. Today, governance of any country is a complicated and convoluted affair. To truly do service to your country requires statesmen of not only great patriotism but also, those in possession of relevant skills and expertise. In the halls of government, especially parliament, great decisions that affect Ghanaians today and generations to come, are taken. To choose any person other than a qualified candidate is a national security risk.

Men and women elected from among the people decide spending, national security, education, foreign relations etc. In the 21st century, these matters require some sophisticated reasoning and knowledge which basic education does not grant a person. To vote on a foreign relations charter requires understanding the charter as an individual, assessing its merits and demerits and what the people of Ghana think about it. The people rely on their elected officials to comprehend any given national policy so as to help relay it to them. If an elected officials votes on an issue just because another, no matter how distinguished that other is, does the same, the concept of democracy is broken.

When we appoint or elect unqualified people into national office and yet wonder why the national machinery is not running smoothly, we behave like ostriches. Each person has a vital role to play in national development. The key is making sure one plays a rule they are qualified and ready for. Otherwise their service becomes a disservice and retracts national progress. As the election cycles starts to churn, let each Ghanaian be caution and circumspect in choosing who represents his/her voice and with what tools they do so.

God bless Ghana! God bless Africa!
Bernard Nortey Botchway, Associate Fellow, Royal Commonwealth Society

Juris Doctor Candidate,
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill School of Law