 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11713 Posts |
 Posted - 27 May 2011 : 12:25:40
|
Dailynews Editorial: National Development depends a lot on Political Leaders
Friday, May 27, 2011
Malaysia at independence in 1957 from (British) was at par with some of our African countries like Nigeria. Fifty years down the line, Malaysia is now an economic and industrial power, leaving African countries lagging behind with numerous hurdles ranging from tribal conflict to corruption.
Today, Nigeria, with all its wealth is nowhere close to Malaysia in terms of development. What are the secrets behind Malaysia’s success? The answers lie, to a great extent, in her leadership.
Africa must wake-up from deep slumber and make strides toward development, through honest and dedicated leaders.
Malaysia’s priority has been to develop its industry and soon it opened up to both foreign and domestic investments, creating employment opportunities.
A lot of foreign investors flooded in. There are a lot of investments in the processing of raw materials.
Hichem Ben Yaiche, a former deputy prime minister of Malaysia said, the secret behind his country’s success is based on three main points: the leaders at independence were technocrats, who were versed in management and administration; they also have the support of the people; and they won elections.
“Many developing countries fought for independence, they got independence and power, but the leaders immediately forgot why they fought for independence, they rule for themselves. I am happy that this has not happened in Malaysia,” he said.
Why is it that many of our leaders today seem to be more self centered than national centered?
Many of them spend national budgets into their own dreams, with no development benefits on the nations they serve. And many too robbed their countries’ fortunes and save those millions and billions into foreign banks.
These are some of our development huddles. Many a times it’s the leaders who are richer than the states. Why and how, remains unanswered questions.
Like many too, elections are never won, and they easily plunged their countries into civil unrests like we are witnessing in Middle East and North Africa.
This is where the Malaysian case is different from that of ours. We were reminded by history that Ghana was also at par with Malaysia at independence. But clearly one can see a vast difference between these two countries.
National development depends a lot on the leadership of the nation. Let’s take the case of another country this time the West African state of Togo.
One year after the first free elections in 43 years, Togo’s government has taken steps towards political reforms and fiscal transparency in a bid to assure international donors that a new era has arrived, quite different from the days of the former ruler, Gnassingbe Eyadema even though it’s the son of the former who is in charge.
Last December, the World Bank and IMF relieved Togo of 82% of its debt ($1.8bn) for implementing economic reforms. On the political level, the dominant opposition party, the Union des Forces Changement (UFC), once fierce enemy of the Gnassingbe family and the ruling Rassemblement du Peuple Togolais(RPT) party now hold 7 out of 30 ministerial positions in the government.
Is that not brilliant? Why can’t we do it here or elsewhere all in the interest of national development?
Look at what had happened in Ivory Coast. It all boiled down to the leadership. The sight of Abidjan, one almost a replica of Paris has been reduced to the spectacle of Mogadishu. This is a reflection of how dictators can close their eyes to the destruction of their countries as they cling on to power.
For those African leaders who claimed to prefer staying away from the Ivorian crisis because it was the most appropriate thing to do to obviate bloodshed, as they put it, their position have been dealt a blow by realities of carnage which took place in the country.
They should bow their heads in shame as their discredited foreign policy is dragged in the mud, regardless of the accolades of wise men showered upon them by Gbagbo.
The end has finally come for him and that, the end of nonsense so-called power sharing in African politics. That was what some African prescribed for the troubled Ivory Coast.
Another African leader about to fall in the same ditch is Libya’s Muammar Al Garthafi. The man came to power in 1969, and stayed since then without elections for 42 years.
And this is the man who is now closing his eyes to the destruction of Libya all in the interest of further clinging on to power at all cost. What kind of a leader is he? This and many others on the continent of Africa is what is pinning our development down.
Unless our African leaders start to think and behave positive, by first holding and winning elections in the most fairest way possible, we cannot make a positive head way forward.
The people leading must be supported by their people, support cannot be forced, and people have to be convinced that a particular leader or party is the right one. No monetary or any other form of inducement.
Source: Dailynews
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
toubab1020
12309 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2011 : 16:52:56
|
"No monetary or any other form of inducement."
Be careful Daily News, you are sailing rather close to the wind,that strong wind may well capsize you.
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
 |
|
|
Galo Sowe
Sweden
116 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2011 : 17:17:13
|
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
"No monetary or any other form of inducement."
Be careful Daily News, you are sailing rather close to the wind,that strong wind may well capsize you.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths, The valiant never taste of death but once." |
Edited by - Galo Sowe on 27 May 2011 17:17:53 |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
