Masire calls for good governance

a was delivering a lecture on the topic “Challenges of Leadership in 21st Century – Africa” at the University of Ghana, Legon. He noted that corruption scared away investors, affected development, entrepreneurship and impeded growth by reducing domestic investments and tax inflows. Some 40 per cent of Africa’s wealth is held outside the continent by Africans.
He said other social challenges on the continent were decrease in life expectancy of 41 years in Africa as against 78 years in Europe, increase in HIV/AIDS and malaria killing 1.8 million children each year and costing Africa 12 billion dollars.
Sir Quett said the continent was also being affected by political challenges such as accountability and transparency, improving public sector management, delivery of public services, removing bottlenecks to private enterprise and building a credible and responsible media. He said a new lease of hope for Africa was appropriate leadership coupled with the abundant available resources to turn the continent around.
“The Continent can be turned around into an enviable model of social and economic development,” he added.
He noted that Africa naturally relied on state leadership to overcome the challenges in her political, economic and social fields, and called on African leaders to play their central role of guiding and facilitating the crucial process of making economies of their nations viable. He said poor governance had affected Africa and plunged the economies downwards while civil wars had disintegrated societies. – Own correspondent