The Replacement of Ghana's

President John Atta Mills:

Lessons for Other African Leaders.

- Editorial

While the world is focused on the Olympics and while the people of Syria are engaged in a bloody battle between the Assad-led-forces and those Syrians-fighting-for-freedom from the hold of Assad, just as life continues to go on in other parts of the world with the characteristic mix of good and bad news and events, something significant has just taken place in Ghana. Few days ago, the democratically elected of President of Ghana – President John Atta Mills passed away and within hours of the announcement of his death, the Vice President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as the new President of Ghana.

Of course the media especially in the West barely ran any headlines on the subject. Yet, we insist that such exemplary modus of administration and leadership character must be recognized for what it is worth. It is an indication that some African countries recognize and respect due process and the rule of law. It is an indication that not all African politicians or leaders are petty and willing to fight over any opportunity to occupy the throne of leadership. It is an indication that Ghana has reaffirmed its position as a country to be emulated by other African countries.

Although President John Atta Mills may not be without his own human shortcomings, the overwhelming commentary is that he made a good effort to continue steering Ghana in the right direction. It is no surprise therefore that after his death things continue to move smoothly so far in Ghana. Those citizens, patriots, leaders or politicians of other countries who continue to argue that they are ahead of Ghana should take a queue and try to emulate these recent examples of good leadership and governance emanating from Ghana. To not do so is to be fruitlessly arrogant. Those other countries in Africa who claim to be giants of Africa while having or doing little to show for it could do better to validate their claim of such honorable appellation. To continue claiming the glory of a title without a practical depiction of the characteristic good works and leadership denoted by such title could amount to an unrewarding arrogation of a title that is either no longer deserved or at best hurriedly bestowed and eventually devoid of its true characteristics. Let us call a spade a spade and take a queue to learn from the good examples emanating from Ghana.

We extend our condolences to the people of Ghana particularly the family of the late President and we wish them the fortitude required to handle the loss of a good President, father, husband, brother, son, neighbor and fellow African.

Oliver Oscar Mbamara
Editor-In-Chief
African Events.com
www.AfricanEvents.com
©August 2012
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Oliver O. Mbamara, Esq., is a filmmaker, writer, poet, and playwright. He is also a judge with New York State, OAH. For more on Oliver Mbamara, please visit www.OliverMbamara.com 

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