SELFISH LEADERSHIP, BANE OF NATION'S DVE — VEEP (SEPT 25, PAGE 16)

THE Vice-President, John Dramani Mahama, has said corruption, selfish leadership, greed and lack of patriotism on the part of political leaders have left the country poorer, decades after the death of its far-sighted leader, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
He said the life of Dr Nkrumah should teach all, particularly those in the public service, to avoid graft, corruption and plundering of the nation’s resources when given the opportunity to serve.
The Vice-President was speaking at a colourful durbar of chiefs and people of the Nzema area as part of the Centenary Birthday Celebration of the country’s first President.
“Today, the unfortunate situation is that the spirit of patriotism and sacrifice is lacking,” he observed.
As a result, Mr Mahama said, such acts had left the people with a deep sense of distrust of their leaders,” he lamented.
“We can only change our nation’s circumstances, if we all put our shoulders to the wheel and give a little shove to move our nation in the direction of progress and prosperity in a transparent and accountable manner,” the Vice-President said.
He said Dr Nkrumah was a selfless leader who valued human dignity, as well as the welfare of mankind above material gains and possession, adding that that was why he was not obsessed with material gains and did not believe in property-owning democracy.
He said the centenary celebration of Nkrumah was a call on all, particularly the youth, to aspire to higher values of sacrifice and commitment to ideals of service to one’s nation.
According to the Vice-President, ideas, good deeds and meritorious service to one’s community and country could leave an enduring legacy after one’s death, which is more fulfilling than corruption and acts that rob the country.
He was not happy with the low level of development in the region and assured the people that the government was doing everything possible to better their lot.
Mr Mahama said the minister of roads and highways was in northern part of the region to assess the conditions of the roads following the recent flooding.
He said the minister would continue to tour various parts of Nzemaland to enable the government to map out strategies to tackle the problem within the short, medium and long term.
The ceremony was attended by chiefs across the region, heads of corporate institutions, district chief executives, members of Parliament and members of the diplomatic corps, and members of various political parties.