Renowned Ghanaian economist Kwame Pianim has lamented the African continent’s leadership deficiency, claiming that it is becoming prohibitively costly.
Speaking on Monday, December 11, at the annual Leadership Lecture at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Mr Pianim stressed that the gap is considerably impeding Ghana’s progress, adding that Ghana and Korea had equivalent per capita income levels in 1960.
Nonetheless, after 62 years, Korea’s GDP per capita is USD 33,000, whereas Ghana’s is $2000.
“It has become increasingly and painfully evident that the leadership deficit in Africa is very expensive. Ghana and Korea started at the same level of per capita income around 1960. We were higher. 62 years later Korea has a GDP per capita of 33,000 USD, and Ghana has 2000 USD.
The topic of the annual leadership lecture was; ‘Re-imagining Ghana’s Development Trajectory for a Peaceful Prosperous Nation By 2057.’
Despite the hurdles, Pianim recognized Ghana’s comparative advantage, emphasizing the country’s tranquil character in comparison to other countries.
He emphasized the country’s fortitude in the face of hardship, pointing out that Ghana has been spared numerous natural calamities and has maintained a stable environment.
He stated that Ghana’s peaceful character makes the country the envy of many countries.
“Ghana is already peaceful, we are the envy of many people, and we are relatively peaceful. A Chinese friend moved to Nigeria recently and came back and said Mr Pianim, in Nigeria I cannot get out, two of my colleagues and their families are looking for money to [pay] ransom, they were kidnapped but I am in Ghana and I can walk to anywhere.”
