Respect, Key To Successful Leadership - Rawlings

President Rawlings (left) being welcomed by Togbui Sri III

Former President Jerry John Rawlings says respect of the people is key to the success of political office holders.

He said many politicians tried to protect themselves with the military and police instead of respecting the aspirations of their people. “But see what is happening across the Middle East. Some leaders protected themselves with the security agencies but today they are fighting on behalf of the people,” he added.

The former President was speaking at Anloga in the Volta Region when he paid a courtesy call on Togbui Sri III, recently installed Awoamefia of the Anlo Traditional Area.

President Rawlings said where there was truth, justice, freedom and respect, civilised behaviour prevailed in the society. “Without truth and justice all we are doing will come to nothing,” he said.

He noted with concern that the protracted chieftaincy dispute had negatively affected the Anlo state and thanked God for its eventual resolution. He also thanked all those who in diverse ways contributed to the successful resolution of the dispute.

“As chiefs you are protected by the respect your people have for you. Unlike politicians you do not need the police and the military to protect you. Your entire kingdom listens to you anytime you speak,” President Rawlings said.

The ex-president urged traditional chiefs to endeavour to hold in reverence the spiritual elegance within the chieftaincy institution.

“Togbui ooo, I am grateful to God that our trials and tribulations are over and today we can rest and say in comfort that our spirituality is intact and restored. Is it our love for freedom, our love for justice, which is a problem to some? No, God says no. They will try but will never succeed,” he said.

Togbui Sri III commended,President Rawlings for taking time off his busy schedule to hold audience with the chiefs and people of the Anlo State. He said the Anlo State was proud that their son had been elevated to the high position of African Union High Representative for Somalia and was confident that he would succeed in his new role.

Present at the ceremony were Council of State member and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Arnold Quainoo and Ghana’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Dan Abodakpi.