A SPEECH DELIVERED BY EMMANUEL DEI-TUMI ON THE OCCASION OF THE AFRICA S YOUTH DAY LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE IN THE 21 ST CENTURY

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1 A SPEECH DELIVERED BY EMMANUEL DEI-TUMI ON THE OCCASION OF THE AFRICA S YOUTH DAY LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE IN THE 21 ST CENTURY This discussion on leadership and governance is taking place at a very historical moment. Within the past few months, Africa has witnessed the greatest test of all - a challenge of despotic, autocratic and the winner takes all systems of leadership. We have all been witnesses to the total collapse of Ghadaffi s 42 year regime, the near monarchical dynasties of Hussein Mubarak of Egypt, and that of Algeria. Now, the eyes of the world are focused on the happenings in Syria and what would come out of it. The world is undergoing a very rapid transformation leaving in its wake an unprecedented array of challenges that threaten the very survival of mankind as well as a major test of systems and traditions that have long been adhered to. It is therefore not surprising to see agitations calling for changes in the status-quo of most countries. The political unrest in some African countries on the continent and others around the world signifies a lack of confidence in the leadership abilities of leaders entrusted with the core mandate of managing the affairs of the electorates. The leadership crisis being witnessed, I must say will continue to suffice, especially in the African sub-region as result of the many damning challenges plaguing the continent. The world is witnessing a trend in population growth that has dire consequences for the entire continent but particularly the African continent. Just a few days ago, the world's population reached the seven billionth figure which was estimated a couple of decades ago. Estimates indicate that, this figure will soar to 9.3 billion by 2050 and finally 10 billion by the end of the century 1. Africa's population is projected to double to 2 billion by This figure is however projected to be greater if birth rates do not decrease faster than currently. Africa's total fertility rate is 4.7 children per woman. Astronomical growth in population is associated with varied challenges such as conflict, migration, exploitation of both natural and man-made resources, increase in vulnerable groups especially women, youth and children, unemployment as well as prevalence of diseases of varies kinds. According to the Population Reference Bureau (2010) 2, 40 percent of the world's population, or more than 2.7 billion people, lack access to an adequate sanitation facility. The bulk of the underserved live in rural areas of developing countries. Only 40 percent of people in rural areas in these countries have access to sanitation. 1 UNDP State of World Population Report, World Population Reference Bureau, Factsheet, P a g e

2 Mr. Chairman, conflicts in the Sub-Saharan African, have been caused by one or a culmination of these factors - poverty, poor education system, injustice, inequality, bad leadership and governance and so on. Often, the most affected are women and children who are considered vulnerable as well as the youth since they are often used as weapons of war. For instance, women and children are close to 80 percent of refugees and those internally displaced as a result of conflict and natural disasters in the world 3. Also, one in four people on the planet, more than 1.5 billion, live in fragile and conflict affected states or in countries with very high levels of criminal violence. Unemployment is another major threat to leadership and good governance on the African continent. Currently, the global unemployment rate is 6.1% 4. What is worrying more is the rate of youth unemployment rate. The youth unemployment rate worldwide is high, with a global average of 11.9% in This is almost three times higher than the adult unemployment rate 5. In 2009, however, it shot up to13 per cent. Reports indicate that of the world's 620 million economically active youth between the ages of 15 and 24, 81 million were out of work at the end of 2009, which is the highest number ever. Such trends, the report noted, will have "significant consequences for young people as upcoming cohorts of new entrants join the ranks of the already unemployed. Am afraid this trend, if not checked, may lead to a 'lost generation' of young people dropping out of the labour market 6. This is quite worrisome considering the immeasurable role the youth play in development as well as their vulnerability in society. The youth are the ones mostly used as weapons in times of conflict. Drug related Crimes is at an all time high in this century. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in its World Drug Report (2011) 7 reveals that globally, some 210 million people use illicit drugs each year, and almost 200,000 of them die from drugs. Natural resources are being depleted without being replenished. Diseases such as HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, Malaria and so on are on the ascendancy. Climate change leading to drought and global warming, poor sanitation management, human induced and natural disasters, crime, conflicts, and terrorism are on the ascendency across the globe; issues of water, world food shortage and general livelihood and sustenance are gaining more currency in fields of governance and academic discourses. In the corporate world, private sector businesses are getting more competitive- multinational corporations are rushing and competing over scarce resources. Employees in both public and private establishments are getting more agitated for better working conditions. 3 World Bank s Worlds Development Report International Labour Office (ILO) Global Employment Trends Report 5 ILO (2008c), Global Employment Trends for Youth, ILO, Geneva United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in its World Drug Report (2011) 2 P a g e

3 In public businesses, probity and accountability are being demanded by citizens from their governments, perceived corruption by public officials is being treated with contempt by citizens and international corruption watchdogs. Globalization is another pervasive phenomenon that has serious implications for leadership and governance in this century. The sophisticated technological and scientific innovations that have been introduced into the global system have brought new ways of transacting both public and private businesses. Leaders are compelled to adjust themselves to such new systems and ways. New ideas and inventions spring up every minute and cultures and people are getting more interconnected and integrated. Today, sub Saharan Africa is gradually warming up to the institutionalization of democracy. Democracy is the predominant regimental wave that is sweeping across the world from the west. Followers in both public and private circles prefer democratic regimes to autocratic, authoritarian, and monarchic and other patriarchal regimes. Followers have become more conscious of their rights and individual freedoms given the level of transformation and enlightenment that they are gaining. The Pursuit of gender equity and the empowerment of vulnerable groups such as women, children and the disabled are gaining momentum. There is strong universal endorsement for democratic virtues such rule of law, free and fair elections, stronger and independent parliaments, autonomous judiciary, free press and all inclusive power play by the executive in the governance of modern states. Most primitive societies have crossed the bridge of civilization, hence, they are no longer prepared to be oppressed or discriminated against by their leaders. The cross-fertilization of technologies, cultures and ideas has put leaders and the followers on a beam balance in the centre of the global system. The frontiers of leadership and governance in the public arena have expanded beyond the traditional functional circumference of ensuring there is peace and safeguarding citizens against internal and external aggression to cover a broader governance spectrum of providing for the essential economic and social needs such as food, clothes, shelter, education, health and justice. Governance especially in the developing world is expanding to levels that threaten entrenched governments on the continent. Another potent area of influence that leaders of the 21 st century have to reckon with is the increase in international cooperation and diplomatic relations. Adherence to international treaties, bilateral and multilateral agreements and international law all require a certain level of quality leadership. For instance, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance was adopted by the Eighth Ordinary Session of the Assembly, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 30 January 2007 to enjoin all member countries to adhere to the principles of governance and democracy. 3 P a g e

4 The recent involvement of NATO forces in Libya s political crisis which resulted in the toppling of Muammar Al-Qathafi s 42 year rule of Libya and eventual death, the role played by France in ousting of Laurent Gbagbo s government in Cote d Ivoire and the toppling of Iraq by the American led forces are some few examples that depict the level of pressure and influence powerful states and international organization have gained in the 21 st century. The modern trends, nature and scope of leadership and governance in the 21 st century brings to light a leadership model depicting the kind of qualities and governance that will be quintessential to surmounting the challenges confronting leaders in the sub-region. The current leadership crisis being faced in the sub-region suggests that leadership and governance is not about who can shout the loudest or haul insults but responsibility, probity and accountability. As professor Stephen Adei posits Leadership is cause, all other things are effect. This means that leaders must as a matter of principle make things happens. Their potential creativities must be brought to bear. According to Myles Monroe when a nation has a lack of quality, legitimate and just leaders, national deterioration occurs. Quality leadership is the key to a prosperous and peaceful life and nation. The quality of political leaders therefore must be persons of integrity, have the emotional and intellectual capacity to lead and care for their people while serving as catalysts for national development in a way that no other group does. This is because leadership is about the provision of a vision and strategies to achieve such a vision; the mobilization of people for a developmental agenda and the empowerment of citizens to go beyond the hitherto considered impossible things within the status quo to transform society. Such leaders are required to be very versatile, flexible, innovative, accommodating, adventurous, courageous and accountable irrespective of the type or level of leadership they may find themselves in. Leadership in Africa in the 21st century and particularly in Ghana must be characterised by these attributes. In conclusion, leadership and governance in the 21 st century appears more challenging than centuries ago as leaders are confronted with problems of human security, conflicts, disease and crime control. The 21st century is an era where leaders should have the capacity to generate ideas to solve problems, create more jobs to deal with the increasing unemployment menace. Leadership in the C21st is not for the weak hearted and slow in thinking who only complains about the problems or pretend to be concerned about the problem and yet do nothing about it. This century and the governance of it is about leading and caring for the people, it is about generating ideas and garnering the right team to achieve national goals via a multidimensional, multifaceted and multipurpose approach in order to meet the demands, expectations and aspirations of sophisticated followers. 4 P a g e

5 These qualities and the capacity to develop them are not farfetched. The citizens, electorate must demand for them from their leaders and the leaders must willingly and humbly demonstrate the capacity to demonstrate these and for those who cannot must do the honourable thing resign and join masses. This is the c21st leadership and together, we can. God bless Ghana God bless NYA God bless us all Thank you. 5 P a g e