Leadership deficit, a major challenge facing Africa – Ms. Nana Afadzinu warns 

By: Nana Kwame Bediako

The Mandela Washington Fellowship celebrated its 10th anniversary with a conference on Saturday, August 24, 2024, aimed at empowering leadership for sustainable growth and change. The event featured impactful speakers who shared intriguing ideas to help participants hone their leadership skills. The conference was a testament to the fellowship’s decade-long commitment to nurturing leaders who can drive positive change.

Ms. Nana Afadzinu, the Executive Director for West Africa Civil Society International, delivered some thought-provoking speech as she shed light on the pressing issue of poor leadership management across the African continent. Ms. Ijenu called upon all African leaders to take a stand for good leadership, emphasising the critical role it plays in the continent’s progress.

“If there’s one major challenge that Africa faces today, it is the fact that our leadership has failed us,” she stated. “We have a serious deficit when it comes to the kind of leadership that we need to get the Africa that we want. We have all the resources; we have the human resources, we have the materials,” her words highlighted the urgent need for transformative leadership.

Ms. Afadzinu’s speech served as a wake-up call, urging all participants to take personal and corporate responsibility in changing the continent’s trajectory. She emphasised that each individual has a role to play in fostering better leadership and driving sustainable growth. Her call to action was met with enthusiastic applause from the attendees, who were inspired to make a difference.

“There’s too much selfishness and greed. We’ve missed the morale; we seem to have lost our will as a continent,” Ms. Afadzinu said. “And we’ve lost the morale of us.” Her candid remarks struck a chord, prompting reflection on the moral and ethical dimensions of leadership. She stressed the importance of selflessness and integrity in creating a brighter future for Africa.

The conference concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among the participants. The Mandela Washington Fellowship’s commitment to developing impactful leaders was evident throughout the event. As the fellowship marks a decade of excellence, it continues to inspire and empower individuals to lead with vision and integrity. 

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