Akufo-Addo Tends To Relish cracking Jokes And Engendering Controversies

Apart from the status quo of African leadership quality and style of government, Paul Kagame of Rwanda is among the few whose names beckon in the horizon when we talk about leaders who are making difference in terms of good governance on the continent. But one cannot recount the track records of "few" African leaders with good governance without that of John Mangufuli of Tanzania. President Mangufuli's leadership quality and style of government has attracted international attention and generated debates all over the world, especially Africa.

His manner of government yielded several positive results and left trail on political terrain. Mr. Mangufuli is known for his no-nonsense attitude, as the story goes, he sacked the head of state main hospital after finding patients sleeping on the floor after Mr Mangufuli paid surprise visit to the facility. Mr. Mangufuli is on the record of breaking up the 'board of managenment' of another hospital when he found out the scanning and diagnostic manchines were not functioning

The current president of Tanzania is known for several extraordinary actions, orders and measures. Such orders and actions taken by Mr. Mangufuli, among others aimed at fostering judiciuos use of state resources and to curb corruption with the sole purpose of bring about the desired change that the people of Tanzania yearned for several years and for which he was voted for-- l must say he hasn't disappointed them. His unparralleled and unanticipated move to suspend indefinitely celebrations of national independence day surprised most people including myself. Instead, himself and his cabinet members together with Tanzanian people devoted themselves to clean the city on the independence day

There is a survey of large number growing dissent among the youth in many African countries as they can't get jobs and/or the economic atmosphere generated by African leadership is not enabling for businesses to thrive in a continent, which can't provide for its people despite the vast human and natural resources. Well, l believe this kind of leadership quality of president Mangufuli is inspiration to many African countries including Ghana. It was in the light of this when Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo then-candidate of NPP, of the largest opposition political party campaigned on economic progress, efficiency, pragmatism, probity, accountability, judicious use of public resources and above all else incorruptibility, majority of Ghanaian electorate voted massively for him hoping that now-president Akufo-Addo would live by his words

I must admit that it will sound naïve if l should use the six month period since NPP government has been ushered in power as benchmark of terminal measurement of its performance. Nevertheless, the question majority of Ghanaians, especially the working class, are asking is, with the current approach whether Nana Addo will be able to deliver on his promises? So far, the president appears completely distracted and strangely unconcerned about the plights ordinary Ghanaians with his numerous trips to African countries. As of the time of this writing, there are different types of demonstrations going on across the country under 'placard' good governance. Also the presidency seems to be epitome of jokes and cradle of controversies. With Delta Force 8 incident in mind, is just one such several controversies which has rocked NPP government led by Nana Addo. And the fact that Ghanaians are temporally quiet over such scandals shouldn't be taken as endorsement. Much less should the current government officials interprete our silence and willingness to let off the hook such controversies as approval of his 110 ministers

Subsequently, though the president subtly tried to down-play the concomitant concerns raised by Ghanaian public about the humongous ministerial appointment as brouhaha and that his success will diminish and put things rightful perspective. Well, Mr. President, the experts have suggested that huge numbers of appointees will eventually bring about inefficiency and corruption, and statements as such do not not change the fact that large sum of public purse is needed to run rather large government. So far, Ghana's debt stock pile under this government has ballooned to staggering height. And government has not hidden its intention to continue borrowing amid concern that high debt is having negative effect on the economy and the earlier we started saving money the better

Money saving or cost effective strategy would have being in line with not to celebrate Ghana @60, it doesn't make any sense celebrating the 60th Independence anniversary in time we are supposed to be saving money. For me Ghana @60 celebration was mere conduit to embezzle money. What at all are we celebrating when as a nation, due to incompetence, we are not allowed by those powerful countries to take decisions as sovereign country? It goes without saying that most of the national decisions are taken on our behalf by neo-colonialist countries. I think Mr. Mangufuli's decision to suspend his country's independence day celebrations was drawn from this stark reality. Hence the show of opulence that came with @60 celebration was preposterous. I wouldn't have made such strong worded condemnation had it been Diamond Jubilee (75 years) at least

The Nana Addo, currently, addressing Ghanaian community in Guinea Conakry reiterated his commitment to tackle and fight corruption, of which he cracked a joke with effect that not even his wife could dissuade him from his resolve. He would fight corruption by prosecuting officials past or present found liable of corruptible activities. I think this assurance should be taken with pinch of salt! How is he going to successfully prosecute officials with best resources at their disposal to defend themselves when he couldn't prosecute mere 'defendless' members of vigilante group Delta Force 8 despite having 'cut and dry' case?

Ironically, African countries who are supposed to be taking cue from us ( Kwame Nkrumah Ghana ), instead we are the ones that are chasing these countries. In any case, what is the benefits (socio-economic, geopolitical and cultural) of the president of the republic of Ghana recent visits to Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cape Verde, even Ivory Coast? Don't get me twisted, am against frosty relationship between Ghana and any other country, not to talk our sisterly African countries but what is the driving force behind or relevance of these current several unremitting officials trips to these countries, or rather what exactly is the job of our Diplomats?

Agobodzo, Richard
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