Ghana's political leaders must adhere to this advice to gain public trust

One of the most exciting topics in Ghana has been the country's leadership practices, which began with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the country's first president, and has continued until Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the country's current leader. The reason for the interest is that most of the population is dissatisfied with the performance of the country's political leaders. I ask, "Why do people think our leaders have not done well up to this point?" I think some of our leaders have performed well compared to some of our West African neighbors who have endured civil wars and instability. We, as Ghanaians, need to evaluate ourselves to determine whether we are not the cause of our leaders' alleged underperformance in the past and present.

I am not holding brief for our leaders but offering my honest view. Some of our leaders have done an excellent job leading the nation to this point. However, their best needs to be improved, and they can improve if they follow the following guidelines. First, I encourage Ghanaian leaders to set clear goals because leadership kindles people's enthusiasm and creativity with well-defined objectives. Political leaders in the country must develop clear goals, allowing citizens to see them as persons driving the nation in the right direction. Providing the government with clear guidance and directing citizens on the correct path is essential because one of the primary pillars of excellent leadership is having well-defined goals. These goals serve as a road map for leaders and their teams, providing them with direction, motivation, and purpose.

Furthermore, Ghanaian leaders must maintain the most excellent honesty. Their conduct must be beyond reproach. To accomplish that task, they must maintain a high moral standard and accept responsibility for their acts. It is also critical for leaders to lead the crusade against corruption and promote justice and equality. When it comes to the administration of justice, our leaders must not be selective. When citizens violate the nation's laws, they must be treated equally. Our leaders must always defend equality and justice. They must not be prejudiced when it comes to delivering justice.

One issue contributing to Ghanaians seeing their leaders as failures is their (leaders') desire for material riches and luxurious lives. Many Ghanaians consider this to be the key reason why many graduates of colleges and universities attempt to enter politics. Some people enter politics because they believe it will lead them to fame and money. Most Ghanaian politicians are greedy and self-centered; they view politics as the quickest way to achieve their desires. They are less concerned with moving the country forward and raising people's living standards. Suppose they want the citizens to see them as good leaders, they must learn to consider the perspectives of others while making decisions that impact the country. Teamwork is the spark that helps ordinary people to accomplish remarkable outcomes. A society where the government serves all people's interests must be founded on such a high level of dedication.

Leaders must abstain from stigmatizing members of the public who express dissident opinions on matters that differ from their own and from seeking to discredit or destroy such individuals. Dismantling the winner-take-all mindset is critical to give opportunities for individuals with the qualifications to take on national posts. People with the requisite skills or expertise should be encouraged to contribute to the country's growth. Giving family members and friends precedence for positions of responsibility while rejecting capable individuals does not bode well for a rising country like Ghana.

It is also vital for Ghanaian leaders to avoid the big entourage of officials and extravagant spending that characterizes their activities. African political leaders are known to travel with a large escort of personnel, especially when traveling to the Western world for loans. This depletes the country's already scarce resources and makes their lenders look at them with "bad eye." as my military drill instructor will say, If political leaders travel in a small fleet of cars, with staff members sharing vehicles, part of the money spent on fuel could be used to finance development programs in some of the country's poorest communities. To be considered caring leaders and recognized as a government for everyone, the country's political leaders must listen to the voices of the country's downtrodden. Ghanaian politicians should listen to all people, especially youths and older people who are retired. The living conditions of some of these retirees are terrible. The problems they encounter before receiving their meager retirement benefits lead some to their early grave.

Finally, leaders should seek God's guidance through prayer and meditation before making critical policy decisions. This humble approach allows people to recognize that their leadership responsibilities belong to God and not to them. The country's leaders must remember that their authority comes from the people and the creator of the universe. In this regard, Ghanaian political leaders must pray to God for guidance and visit and pray with the country's religious leaders. Putting God first in leadership entails acknowledging that our understanding is limited and that we must rely on Him for guidance. "If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, ask God, and he will give it to you" as stated in James 1:5. This simple advice will put our leaders in the good books of the citizens.