In Africa, We Have Distributive Leaders
During an intensely fought debate at the Vodafone African Business Leaders Forum, one distinguished professor stated that “when they get into power, our leaders think that their role is to distribute wealth - they do not create anything new.”
Professor KwakuAtuahene-Gima, Executive Director, CEIBS Africa - who is currently based in China - went on to give a scathing description of the way in which some African politicians operate today.
“We also have ‘fanfare’ leaders, they like to win awards…so they first distribute wealth to their inner circle and then win awards for it,” he added.
According to Atuahene-Gima, one of the most important things that leaders need to do is self-reflect, and become conscious of their flaws. He highlighted this as a particular failing of leaders in new democracies, where democracy is often mistaken for development.
“Democracy does not cause development - in Africa we focus on this first, without developing the foundations for growth,” said Atuahene-Gima. “We need leaders who can break the rules and first do what is beneficial for their country.”
“If you look at the leadership which got us here today, we need a very different type of leadership moving forward,” added AlhassanAndani, MD, Stanbic Bank, Ghana. “The next big leaderships challenge is to think beyond the level of state in order to break through poverty. Development only happens when people learn to govern themselves, and generate wealth that touches everybody.”
These comments were made during a discussion on whether ‘Africa has the right strength and flavour of leadership to deliver the continental dream.’ The overwhelming sentiment, from both speakers and audience, wasthat there needs to be a dramatic shift in the focus of today’s leaders.
“Leaders in Africa have to think differently - a lot of the things that they do today, are not useful for tomorrow,” explained Atuahene-Gima. “This is unlike China, where they always have a long term plan. In addition, we must be able to ensure that leaders have strategies that they can implement - merely having a vision is useless.”