Ghana’s High Commissioner to Namibia and Botswana, Abdul-Rahman Harruna Attah,has named leadership as Africa’s fundamental development problem.
Speaking with Business Outlook Africa, the veteran journalist, publisher and author urged African leaders to take the lead on development rather than deferring responsibility or retreating behind historical grievances.He cited Rwanda and its president, Paul Kagame, as proof of how effective leadership can drive national progress.
“It’s our leaders. You don’t want to sound too critical and that kind of thing, but our leaders should take the lead. Look at this young man and what he’s doing in Rwanda.I’ve been to Rwanda two times. And I’ve seen how the level of structure and development and even social discipline is big, which is a big problem for all of us in Africa. And he’s getting it right.
So you think leadership is our problem? It’s our problem.” he stated
When asked about his greatest worry about the continent,Harruna Attah pointed out to “The lack of jobs” as his greatest worry about the continent.
He however stated that going forward he believes the creative industry not only has what it takes to help deal with the “lack of jobs” but also has what it takes to produce more wealthy individuals for the continent.
“I can say without batting an eyelid, the creative industry. Because that’s what will bring out the best in us and let us innovate and without innovation you can’t move.”he added
The High Commissioner to Namibia and Botswana also called for the country’s banking system to design dedicated facilities that allow young people to access small amounts of capital to start businesses.
The veteran journalist and publisher stated that it is important for society to create such windows, cautioning against the current banking culture that overwhelmingly favours big businesses over young entrepreneurs.
“Let’s have a system, a banking system that has facilities for young people to draw on a little capital here and there.That’s very important for society to do.But we think banks should help only big businesses. That is wrong.We should have room for a young man, young woman to go and get a few thousands of cedis to invest in this and that. But we don’t have it. Our banks are just there for big businesses, for big loans. No, but that’s not where the development comes from.” he argued.
Africa’s population, currently estimated at roughly 1.58 billion, is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, driven by high fertility rates and declining mortality. By then, one in four people globally will be African, with nearly 40% of the world’s youth living on the continent.
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