Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, has called for a new era of leadership in Ghana, one that prioritises integrity, equity, and trust while aligning with the nation’s Directive Principles of State Policy.
Delivering his remarks at the 2024 Asogli Te Za Grand Durbar, Togbe Afede highlighted the urgent need for effective economic management, accelerated development, and the promotion of citizens’ welfare. He urged leaders to tackle the country’s pressing challenges with a sense of honesty, accountability, and dedication to the public good.
“We have a crisis of leadership. Our leaders have become what I call the poor man’s boogeyman. We seem to be afraid of them and afraid to talk about the bad things that they do.
They have been divisive and vindictive, and they have exploited our democracy and our abhorrence of coups to perpetuate bad governance on our people,” he stated.
Togbe Afede XIV stressed the need for constitutional amendments to decentralise power and a shift in attitudes towards corruption.
“Unfortunately, all these things are made possible partly by a constitution that is bad, a constitution that has outlived its usefulness, a constitution that has concentrated power in one person. And that is not good for our country.
“Distinguished Guest of Honour, ladies and gentlemen, we are indeed in a crisis, and all of these things that I have talked about are a threat to our peace and stability. But as a slave of optimism, I believe that we can turn all of these things around,” he stated.
Touching on the pending elections, he urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.
“I want to call upon the Electoral Commission to ensure that we have conditions that allow for free and fair elections, conditions that would ensure that the people’s mandate is respected and the people’s choice is respected, so we can continue to enjoy the relative peace that has made us relatively unique in West Africa and Africa at large,” he stated.