“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”—– Douglas MacArthur.
Yep! Yep! Yep! My Nobel Prize goes to the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo! You may ask, but As3mp3 WHY? Where can I begin? In the words of P. Syrus, “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm…”. Folk, it is difficult and challenging to manage, govern, and run an entire country on a good day, but during a pandemic? His Excellency Nana Addo does it all. Do not get me wrong. As a human being, he has his shortcomings like the rest of us (Errrrrrmmm HE IS TOO NICE!!!), but you will accept that he is a visionary when one looks at the more significant picture of a leader. Yes, you read right; Nana Addo is a visionary leader.
Folk, the hallmark of a visionary leader is his or her ability to mobilize people towards a goal, and Nana Addo possesses all the markings of an innovative leader. The reasons for this are, he is; persistent, innovating, willing to take risks, organized; enthusiastic; focused, attentive, ready to listen to others, charismatic, and energetic. I swear this charismatic and active President has the strength of an ELEPHANT! Wow! This seventy-seven-year-old-man demonstrates his love and care for his fellow Ghanaians by tirelessly traveling from one town/village to the other, greeting and talking to the townsfolk, giving speeches, cutting sods, sitting down to eat with the locals. Wheeeeew! It is a sight and an experience to admire and emulate! Seriously, traveling around Ghana, moving daily from one village to the other, albeit being chauffeur-driven, is not a small feat, and for this President to do it so effortlessly makes me want to scream KUKURUDU! KUKURUDU! KUKURUDU!!!
“Fellow Ghanaians,” let us agree on one thing, education solves many of the challenges and ills of any nation, and the welfare of the inhabitants should be every leader’s priority. This President’s record on education and his citizens’ welfare is unprecedented and adds to the qualities that make him a visionary leader. I mean to pause for a minute to examine a few of this indefatigable leader’s achievements in education, his fellow Ghanaians’ welfare, and socio-economic advancements under his leadership in the four years he has been in power.
WELFARE:
- Measures taken against the spread of Corona Virus! Wow! I will not belabor this topic because the President’s remarkable and successful handling of the virus is mentioned and imitated worldwide.
- Needy and vulnerable persons within Accra and Kumasi received cooked food packs and dry food packages during the lockdown.
- Programs like free water and electricity were implemented during the Lockdown to assist folk who could not afford to pay for these utilities.
- 73% of LEAP beneficiaries have enrolled in the NHIS for free
- The government has established a National Adoption Authority to coordinate in-country and international children’s adoption to serve children’s best interests.
- Gender – Under this President’s leadership, the government has disbursed 80% of MASLOC loans to female applicants because the President recognizes that female business owners are the economy’s backbone.
- Creating and approving a unique pension scheme for cash crop farmers
- Common Fund Disbursement to Persons Living with Disability (PLWD) increased from 2% to 3%, while PLWD has been provided with GHS4million to scale up their businesses.
- The Kayayei are now exempted from market tolls.
EDUCATION:
- Under this President, Ghana boasts of FSHS, a testament to his drive to provide education for all.
- The number of beneficiary pupils under the Ghana School Feeding Program has increased from 1,671,766 to 2,980,000. The feeding grant per child per school-going day has risen to GHS1 since 2018.
- Provision of resources and infrastructure for special needs education across the country.
- Continuation of an increase in the workforce resources and teaching facilities, including the use of ICT teaching aids
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS.
- Most of the Roads in and out of Accra have been fixed, and it is a continuing process
- One District One Factory Agenda
HOUSING
- Affordable Housing
HEALTH INDUSTRY
- The building of new hospitals
- Addition of New ambulances
Folk, it warms the cockerels of my heart as I listen to success stories coming from the beneficiaries of the FSHS, One district one factory, NHIA, etc. According to my observations, Ghanaian citizens’ welfare and interests are of paramount importance to this President. For a second, try to research, evaluate, and analyze all his accomplishments objectively in four years. While doing that, consider the adage that “Rome was not built in a day,” and most importantly, this year has been the most challenging for most leaders because of the pandemic! I insist that this President tries to deliver on his promises, and he needs FOUR MORE years to complete what he has started!!!
Oh, crumbs, is it lunchtime already? I could murder some hot ‘Kofi Brokeman’ (Roasted Ripe Plantain with nuts) right now! Time flies when you are having fun! I have so much material, and I can write all day about this visionary leader. Unfortunately, I must take a break now, or in the words of my friend ANONYMOUS, “I have got to go”!
Okay, a friend asked the other day, As3mp3, if you have any concerns you want to share with the President, what will they be? Check out my next blog regarding my concerns! Are you drooling yet?