Quality Governance: the most important factor to a Nation’s Success -Tony Blair

There is no doubt that leadership and governance remains an issue of dire concern in most African countries: the story of failed states in the continent as well as leaders who promised their countries and people heaven on earth but ended up looting, or facilitating a prolonged stay in power that so often results in corruption at its peak, is now well known to the world.

However, we cannot but be grateful for the progress made so far. For instance the smooth transition from one democratically elected government to another in Nigeria, Ghana, and many others further strengthens the hope that democracy and its fundamentally transparent governance character is not a failed experiment in Africa after all: it is truly one which can be improved upon.

Moreover, the rising level of awareness among the populace in various African countries facilitated by the internet as well as public interest forums now makes it increasingly difficult for leaders to be unaccountable or run the activities of government under the carpets.

Ghana, as a country is equally engulfed in these developments. Earlier in the week, the former leader of the British Labour Party and Prime Minister between 1997 and 2007, Mr. Tony Blair was in Ghana on one of such forums where the lime light was once again placed on the subject.

The British statesman in addressing the forum of public stakeholders organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on democracy in Accra said “the single most important thing to a country’s success is the quality of its governance”. Adding that effective governance posed a major challenge to Africa’s leaders.

In conclusion, it is no doubt of great significance that we are at least talking about the issue but there have been advocacies like this in the past and so often not met by corresponding action on the part of Africans. The real challenge therefore is in the doing. In a genuine effort not just of Ghana’s government but those of other African countries in raising the dike on governance: making it more effective and more transparent.

In the words of the former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, ““[African] countries should take their own destiny into their own hands”.