News Commentary on Election 2024, Leadership and integrity

By Patrick Boateng, Writer and Change Agent

The summary of the Afrobarometer report recently released by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD–Ghana), revealed a historic decline in public trust in Ghanaian institutions, with citizens expressing deep concerns about the integrity of state entities. The evidence from the report suggests that nurturing support for democracy will require strengthening integrity in local government and official accountability. The issue of integrity comes up once more, as the report again indicates, that Ghanaians prioritise honesty and good character in a candidate’s campaign promise in the lead up to the forthcoming elections. This emphasis on integrity accords with the findings of the report to the extent that seventy-seven percent of Ghanaians say the level of corruption in the country has increased.

All three arms of government, that is the Executive, the Legislature and Judiciary, fall in the top five institutions perceived as most corrupt in the latest CDD-conducted report. Analysing this finding in light of other results of the report would indicate corruption and lack of integrity at the highest echelons of governance and institutions, where those qualities are most needed. This situation is worrisome and responds to the question, “If gold rusts, what would iron do?” This is because leaders are supposed to be hard-working and have been tried and tested for their competencies and moral fibre.

In light of this, our leaders cannot afford to be seen in bad lights. It is thus a sad development to cite leaders at the highest level of our governance structure as the most corrupt. In the most notable exemplification as modeled by Jesus Christ, leaders are to be servants of their people. However, the experience in our national situation is different and at the expense of citizens.

Ghana deserves better, and we need authentic and purpose-driven leadership. Ghana needs leaders with transformational and selfless visions, with wisdom, dedication, and true leadership abilities and capabilities. He or she should be humanity-driven, with sympathy for the troubles and needs of the people. The irony is that the status quo seems to benefit only a few, and many of the deprived citizens are the very ones defending their actions, making excuses, and fighting in the streets for them. Leaders have enormous power, not only to appoint the best people, but to appoint them based on merit and hold them and the citizenry to account. Ghana needs all-round leaders willing to create a culture of accountability and responsibility to drastically reduce corruption. Politicians also need to stop weaponising poverty by influencing citizens with money to vote.

The citizenry must hold leaders accountable. This can begin with a National dialogue. As Ghana goes to the polls on December 7, it is hoped that the people will come to the realization that change can only happen if they demand accountability and responsibility from their leaders. Change will not come by chance; change will only come by choice. And those good choices at all levels and in all things start with each one of us. 

Let us make it count.

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