Ghana Former Vice President Warns African Heads of States

Alh Aliu Mahama, the former vice president of one of Africa’s most respected States, has made his voice heard about the status quo of the African continent, saying, “We cannot harness and utilize our resources effectively when intra Africa trade remains dismally low on the continent.”

The former subordinate to President John Kuffour, who along him, led Ghana’s government from 2001 to 2009, pointed to a consortium of political leaders, security analysts and experts, saying Africa has the potential in both human and natural resources to generate wealth and end the poverty of our people.
His Excellence Aliu Mahama was speaking at a high-level gathering, aimed at recognising African leaders and Statesmen who have taken a giant stride in developing the continent through their expertise, altruistic political position, and selfless service to creating a stable buzzer zone for human lives to blossom, held at the Sheraton hotel, The Gambia.

Alh. Aliu Mahama, former Vice President of Ghana; from January 2001-January 2009


Whilst it is true that we have increasingly become responsive to the needs of our people on the continent, we must continue to be assertive in engaging in the bold decision that enhances regional and continental integration, he cautioned. “At both economic and political levels, we must work towards more integration of our collective efforts.
“I am absolutely convinced that such integration efforts will also enhance and give meaning to compliance with ECOWAS regional political principles and protocols.”
He observed that peace – which is a catalyst to the development of Africa – is very critical to our accustomed discussion that we often garner ourselves to converse about the development of our African continent.
The Ghanaian former vice president said, for Africa to realise part of its dream, it needs a good leadership that will inspire the broader understanding and application of human security with the focus on human life and dignity.
He argued that an egocentric Head of state who is apathetic to the cause of his people, is far beyond the need of the continent; rather the African people hanker for a leader who will free them from intellectual slavery and the nuisance of despotism. “Indeed [we need] the type of transformative leadership that is selfless, but very inspiring to lift and motivate our people and turn around the fortunes of our continent.”
“As Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, I made my contribution while in government and continue to do so at the level of leadership and governance outside government. From my experience over the years, I am deeply convinced that we must continue to work hard to address the leadership question.”
As regards developing the continent, he observed that the most important issues that must continue to capture our attention include enhancing good governance and democratic practice, transparency and the fight against corruption, respect to the rule of law, and creating the enabling environment for private sector led development.
“We, in Africa hold the key to our own security and development and must galvanise the political will to make peace [and development] happen on our continent.
“We have to step up educational strategies to bring home to our leaders that the discourse about security in Africa has moved on to embrace human security. This involves the security of the individual [including food security] with respect to the satisfaction of the basic needs of life,” he explained.
For him, these are not the only mechanisms, rather “It also encompasses the creation of the social, political, economic, military, environmental and cultural conditions necessary for the survival, livelihood, and dignity of the individuals.”
He asked: “How do we build a security architecture or infrastructure from the State level to the Continental level to ensure the practice and application of human security?”
In providing a universal panacea to this question, he maintained that the Continent must make efforts to build capacities to protect the state and citizens.
He advised African governments to take with good fate advises from independent bodies on issues surrounding security and human development.
“Another area that we can consider is, encouraging independent organisations to assess and advise governments on issues relating to peace and security within Africa. Such bodies should also continue to educate the larger population on the causes of insecurity and suggested remedies to overcome these lapses as part of their research,” former Vice President Aliu Mahama who also chaired the gathering, said.