AN EXAMPLE OF SELFLESS LEADERSHIP (DEC 8, 2009)

CONSENSUS, it has been argued, is a good method of moving matters forward in the right direction.
This is so because, among others, it is a product of the reasoned arguments and positions of various individuals or groups who collectively share in the destiny of an entity, be it a state or company.
With consensus it is relatively easy to mobilise societal resources, including people and funds, to embark on projects and programmes that would contribute to enhancing the quality of life of the people.
Additionally, the level of opposition or resistance to the pursuit of such policies or programmes would be lower, given that the support of virtually all stakeholders had already been secured.
It is, therefore, on account of these and other positive attributes of consensus building that we commend JOY FM and Coconut Groove Hotels for initiating discussions on the need to build consensus in order to move the national development effort forward.
In the bid to build and sustain consensus, it is important first to anchor such an important exercise on the strong foundation of the assertion of the truth and giving to each what is truly deserving of his or her.
That is why we find as appropriate, fitting and in the right direction, the testimony of Mr Kwame Pianim, an economist and a man well known in the country, to the effect that he can vouch for the integrity and cleanliness of President John Evans Atta Mills and that he can put his neck on the line that President Mills is incorruptible (see front page story).
We find this testimony striking not only because it is true but from whom and where it is coming from.
In a country such as ours, where it is the rule rather than the exception for political rivalry to be overstretched to the realms of enmity, it is highly inconceivable to find high level of accolade being heaped on or accorded the President, especially when the person giving this accolade doesn’t come from the President’s party.
Mr Pianim must be a principled and courageous man to defy the “political correctness” of his party to say all these nice things about President Mills, even as those who share the same political colouration with him may be gnashing their teeth in anger and annoyance.
Even before Mr Pianim spoke, President Mills had spoken and acted in similar regard.
Not in the history of this republic has a leader shown such levels of tolerance, humility and spirit of reconciliation as the President did on the assumption of office on January 7, 2009.
These values and attributes, if they are nurturd more to permeate the political system, would create a conducive atmosphere for the building and sustenance of national consensus in the way forward for our nation.
We must end the cycle of political recrimination by giving to each other his or her due even as we must never compromise on corruption and other acts of malfeasance for which the law must be allowed to take its course.