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PREPARING AFRICA’S FUTURE LEADERS
WRITTEN BY KWABIA BOATENG
The quality of a society’s future leaders – in govern- poverty, and high rates of civil conflict, among others.
ment, business, communities and families – determines In addition, the gap in living standards between Africa
its capacity for survival. Africa’s future leaders are and other continents is widening, in spite of Africa’s
today’s youth. Former United Nations (UN) Secretary abundant natural resources.2
General Mr. Kofi Annan once wrote, “No one is born The role of leadership is to transform the adverse
a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather circumstances that people face by inspiring hope
both are processes that continue to evolve over a life- and empowering them to achieve the desired results,
time … A society that cuts itself off from its youth severs which ensure stability and sustainable growth. But
its lifeline.”1 The type of future leaders that Africa gets Africa’s current situation renders its young people more
will reflect the kinds of investment we are prepared desperate, vulnerable and hopeless. The continent needs
to make in developing our future leaders. Leadership future leaders who will help unleash its potential for
is a management-based competency that is not just socio-economic and political development, and recreate
discovered, but must be identified and developed. its image as the cradle of civilisation, peace and social
This article examines Africa’s development chal- harmony.
lenges and suggests a framework for preparing Africa’s Africa’s challenges in the 21st century include
future leaders. The suggested framework is based on overcoming poverty, diseases and hunger. In addition,
the idea of emotional intelligence, or what the Akans of it must overcome challenges arising from the fast pace
Ghana refer to as ‘efie nyansa’, meaning ‘home wisdom’. of technological advancements, which not only renders
‘Emotional intelligence’ refers to the ability to reflect on Africa incapable of competing in the globalised world
one’s self and others, and using this insight to learn and of business, science and technology but also creates a
to solve problems in an efficient manner, including the great divide socially between Africa and the rest of the
ability to manage relationships effectively. This article world. Future leaders must be aware that Africa’s current
identifies four main pillars for developing the emotional predicament is partly self-inflicted, due to poor leader-
intelligence of the future leaders of Africa, namely: ship and mismanagement, and only Africa’s own leaders
leadership with results, that is, the principle that and people can address this predicament. For Africa to
leaders must produce optimal results; keep pace with the rapid changes in the world innovative,
national values, that is, leadership guided by a flexible, dedicated and responsive leaders are needed.
common understanding of where we are coming
from, where we are going and how we can get Leadership is about Taking Society to
there; Mutually Desirable Ends
capacity development, that is, expanding under- Leaders are not always identified by their positions
standing of the fundamental issues and the on the national, social or economic ladders. They are
mechanisms for addressing them; and also identified by the capabilities they possess: being
participation, that is, creating effective space for all role models; empowering others; being proactive;
in the development process. driving change and continuous improvements; showing
courage in pursuing agreeable solutions; and developing
Given the long history of mismanagement, not only relationships that are sustainable, inclusive and mutually
of resources but more so of its people, this approach to beneficial.
leadership is perhaps the most appropriate for Africa Usually leadership is envisioned at only one level,
today. namely the national-political level. For a nation to forge
ahead, it needs not only a capable national-political
Context leadership but also capable leadership at the regional,
Africa is a continent with vast resources and count- district, community and family levels. Furthermore,
less opportunities. But currently it is the continent with a nation needs as much leadership in business and
the worst socio-economic conditions: high rates of under- economics, education and culture as in science and
employment and unemployment, low literacy rates, high technology; as well as leadership in peace-building and
rates of mortality, high poverty statistics including food conflict resolution, among others.
44 I conflict trends
AFP / GALLO IMAGES
A summit of African Youth Leaders held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast (2006).
Africa needs leaders who can achieve sustain- rule and the detention of his political opponents. He relied
able results in terms of broad-based socio-economic on his authoritative skills in the face of mounting difficul-
progress and development. But the issue is which ties to sustain the momentum of economic progress, and
precise leadership behaviour can generate these results? failed to use the best of his emotional capabilities.
Researchers categorise six types or styles of leadership, Leadership styles emanate from the particular
namely coercive, authoritative, affiliative, democratic, components or capabilities of emotional intelligence the
pacesetting and coaching leadership.3 Coercive leader- individual possesses, namely:
ship is one that demands immediate compliance with self-awareness (self-confidence, understanding
the leader’s instruction; authoritative leadership is one one’s emotions and the fact that they impact on
that commands people towards the leader’s goals; personal performance);
affiliative leadership is one that attempts to create self-management (self-control, trustworthiness,
harmony and builds bonds among groups of people; initiative, achievement orientation and adaptability);
democratic leadership is one that forges consensus social awareness (service orientations, empathy
through participation; pacesetting leadership is one and organisational awareness); and
that sets high standards for performance; and coaching social skills (being visionary, having influence,
leadership is one that develops people for the future. good communication, teamwork and team-
African leaders have often been associated with building, being a change catalyst).
a leadership style that is more coercive and authorita-
tive than democratic or pacesetting. The achievements Therefore, to improve emotional intelligence,
of many past leaders were made at high social, polit- these capabilities (and their associate competencies)
ical and economic costs to the nation, and thus could must be developed. Specifically, future leaders must
not be sustained in the long run. For example, the have the desire and ability to achieve results; the desire
many achievements of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (the first and ability to self-manage by being guided by national
president of Ghana) in terms of economic development values; the desire and ability to create social awareness
were clouded by his unfortunate resorting to one-party and understanding; and the desire and ability to create
conflict trends I 45
space for the participation of others. These competen- intellect and test their beliefs – for example, by
cies are fundamental in determining the leader’s ability engaging young people in decision-making in their
to formulate and implement the development policies homes as well as their personal choices in educa-
required for creating a virtuous circle of hope: because tion, work and health, amongst others, rather than
there is a vision, work: because there is capacity, treating them merely as a group of beneficiaries of
satisfaction: because there is effective participation, and others’ decisions.
development: because there is a focus on results. Unlike
intelligence in the ‘IQ’ sense, emotional intelligence can Fostering an Understanding that Values
be acquired, that is, transferred or taught. Matter
How do we help the youth – our future leaders – By distinguishing ‘good’ from ‘bad’, ‘right’ from
grow their emotional intelligence? ’wrong’ and the like, values define the demand and
Coaching. This could take several forms such as supply conditions that determine the type of leaders we
counselling on leadership in schools, colleges and will have in the future. Where values are weak, such as
universities; and internship and apprenticeship in corrupt societies, there will usually be corrupt leaders
programmes in workplaces, both in the formal and who have the upper hand; but where values inhibit
informal economies. corruption, more upright persons have the opportunity
Forums for organised interaction among young to rise to positions of leadership. Donald Charumbira
people – such as student associations, voluntary has argued that, “if national development is to be
work camps, debating societies and development achieved by any nation, this requires the instillation of
clubs – should be broadened and strengthened. national values [in young people] which are in line with
These days such activities, which have normally development goals.”4 The struggle against slavery and
provided the opportunity for young people to colonialism succeeded because they were based largely
apply skills and competencies acquired through on the ‘values’ of respecting human dignity and the right
coaching and learning, have been scrapped due to self-determination. Hence, the challenges of disease,
to cost-cutting measures. We need to rethink their hunger, joblessness, poverty and others can be tackled
role in shaping our future leaders and building successfully if they are pursued on the basis of respect
solidarity amongst them. for human values.
At the family and community level, our future Tomorrow’s leaders must be imbued with values
leaders need to be given the space to exercise their – personal values, cultural values, social values, work-
GETTY IMAGES / GALLO IMAGES
Gender considerations need to be a significant aspect of any leadership preparation framework.
46 I conflict trends
WHEN WOMEN ARE PREPARED FOR FUTURE LEADERSHIP, THEN THE NATION IS
PREPARED FOR FUTURE SOCIAL COHESION, STABILITY AND PROSPERITY
place values and ‘national values’ – without which no experiential terms, the values they have learned and the
individual person or nation can advance. According to skills they have developed through direct participation in
Charumbira, national values are the result – the sum national, business and community affairs.
total – of four types of values: patriotism, social respon-
sibility, unity and economic productivity. The starting Encouraging Participation and Networking
point in inculcating national values is understanding the Future leaders must be given the opportunity to
national vision. Future leaders must be prepared with learn to share relevant information with the cross-section
the national, business or community visions in mind, of stakeholders. The buzzword these days is ‘partici-
based on the examples of model leaders, through school pation’. What does it mean, and what is its essence?
curricula, and especially through community and family Empirically, participation is simply a way to bring young
interactions. people together and cause them to pronounce on an
issue. This implies that participation is an end in itself, in
Infusing Broad-Based Scholarship and Critical contrast with ‘productive participation’, that is, engaging
Thinking youth not only on the basis of their self-interests, but
Africa’s future leaders must understand a wide also informed perspectives and comparative advan-
range of issues: climate change and its implications tages as a group that has physical claim to the present
for local livelihoods, poverty reduction, the Millennium and the future, with a view to establishing consensus on
Development Goals (MDGs), regional integration, development processes and their expected outcomes.
market access, corporate governance, gender and more. The lack of socio-economic development in Africa
Leaders who made significant impacts in the past were is partly ascribed to the over-centralisation of power
those who understood the evils of their time – such as and the impediments to effective participation of the
colonialism and apartheid. population in national and community affairs. Thus,
Investing in human capital is a basic requirement participation of future leaders – young people – is seen as
in preparing future leaders. Education provides the a strategy for securing broad-based development.5 The
instruments for such investment. Yet Africa’s educa- Lisbon Declaration on Youth Policies and Programmes
tional and other training institutions largely produce emphasises participation as a way to promote educa-
individuals with degrees (reflecting the level of knowl- tion and training in democratic processes and the spirit
edge transferred and/or received). Many believe that of citizenship and civic responsibility. The World Bank
these institutions do not develop the kind of capacities notes that focusing on the youth makes sense because
required of Africa’s future leaders, namely capacities in it is a demographic urgency, it has implications for
relation to emotional intelligence and national values. the MDGs, it is economically efficient, it is politically
Educational institutions are currently structured to be imperative, and it has a demand.6
autocratic, inflexible in the application of standards Productive engagement entails three main pillars
of excellence, and driven by private revenues – and of preparation:
therefore cannot be the best vehicle for transmitting 1 productive communication, which recognises
values to young people. Hence the first step towards and respects young people as partners of today
using educational institutions for leadership capacity and leaders of tomorrow, and thus facilitates role
building purposes is to transform these institutions and learning;
make them more democratic and more value-oriented. 2 constructive engagement, which provides the time,
Furthermore, leadership capacity building insti- resources and nurturing tools that enable adapta-
tutions should develop curricula that aim not only at tion to and application of norms and values; and
creating carpenters and masons out of unemployed 3 long-term commitment, which ensures accessibility
youth, but also at creating awareness of shared values; and accountability and facilitates individual and
helping individuals align their personal values with group devotion to mutually beneficial end-results.
community and national values; encouraging account-
ability; developing communication skills; and providing Currently, in an attempt to promote youth partici-
an atmosphere for healthy debate, among others. pation in decision-making, parallel institutions have
The next step would be to develop and expand been established at national and regional levels, such
opportunities for future leaders to apply, at least on as youth parliaments, youth councils, and regional and
conflict trends I 47
sub-regional youth forums. The impact of these parallel with sufficient government and private sector financial
institutions for preparing future leaders is yet to be support are needed.
systematically evaluated. But it could be said that amidst The InterAction leadership programme is one such
the constraints of resources, geography and timing, they transformational programme, designed by Africans for
have been marginal in providing leadership to the youth Africa in partnership with the British Council in Africa.
at large. Perhaps the time has come for greater focus The programme works with dynamic and innovative
on community and locally-based approaches to leader- individuals who want to make a positive difference in
ship development, especially leadership through service their organisations and communities. The programme’s
rather than only leadership in the exercise of political methodology is based on the principles of “goodwill and
authority. good intent”. By adopting an appreciative approach,
Service programmes that engage young people participants can activate their leadership potentials with
in responding to community needs also provide the renewed confidence. They are encouraged to challenge
opportunity to build skills whilst gaining work experi- the assumptions they hold about themselves, others,
ence. The governments of Nigeria, South Africa and their environment and their continent, whilst creating a
Egypt recognise the important benefits of youth service. soothing opportunity to think and act differently, so as to
In South Africa, through the efforts of 420 individuals make a positive difference. In essence, the programme
working under the National Youth Service Programme in aims to empower participants to engage with the
2001, 25 hospitals and clinics and over 100 government challenges that Africa faces by learning from “what has
buildings were made accessible to disabled people.7 worked and is working in Africa”.8
Another avenue for preparing future leaders is Besides current approaches like the InterAction
through sport, art and music, which help strengthen the programme, there are other examples of excellent
‘inner person’ through continuous personal rediscovery, traditional leadership preparation programmes in Africa.
discipline and healthy competition. Such participation In the Akan societies of Ghana, for example, leadership
also builds competencies in communication and team- training is part of individual and social development.
work. People assume formal leadership roles – including
marriage – only when they are judged to have sufficient
Leadership Preparation levels of emotional intelligence, besides other factors
Institutions, defined to include all the norms such as age, gender and lineage. Leadership training
and standards that guide behaviour as well as the involves lessons in history, culture, knowledge and
programmes and processes through which these norms wisdom, imparted through proverbial (‘Ananse’) stories.9
and standards are reviewed and applied, are important These lessons are reinforced through step-by-step
matters in developing leaders at all levels. The role of participation, according to age, in various community
governments at all levels is also crucial – creating the and family activities and assemblies. Thus, when an
environment within which national values are given individual is accepted as a ‘chief’ or ‘queen’, he or she
practical expression. But all sectors of society have a is deemed to be a complete embodiment of all personal,
role to play in identifying and helping to monitor future cultural, social and workplace values.
leaders. Good leaders are not found by accident. They are
There are many leadership programmes in Africa made. Africa must decide now (and make resources
today. In many African countries, one may find formal available) to develop the future leaders needed, to assure
institutions devoted to leadership training. Even inter- stable, peaceful and progressive societies.
national organisations based in Africa are involved
in leadership development. For example, the United A Gender Perspective and Concluding Remarks
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Gender needs to be a significant aspect of any
(UNESCO) in collaboration with the United Nations leadership preparation framework. However, Africa is a
Development Programme (UNDP) established a largely patriarchal continent, even though women form
project in 2004 called Foundations for Africa’s Future at least 51% of the population. Women are responsible
Leadership, in response to the need for improved lead- for 90% of the social care (in families and households),
ership across all segments and sectors of society. The 70% of farm labour (as unpaid workers), and 80% are in
project, with pilot programmes in countries such as petty trading, but they form a low percentage of leader-
Liberia and Tanzania, had training modules that included ship in businesses or in national and local governments.
positive mental attitudes, developing self-esteem, goal In the education sector, for example, the ratio of women
setting and achievement, communication excellence, to men who serve as teachers and administrators
managing conflicts, negotiations, public speaking and declines with the level of education – the ratio is highest
time management. More of such leadership courses at the primary level and lowest at the tertiary level.
48 I conflict trends
GETTY IMAGES / GALLO IMAGES
Addressing Africa’s poor socio-economic conditions, despite its abundant natural resources, is a major
challenge for the continent’s current and future leaders.
Young women must be prepared as future leaders 2 Average per capita gross national income in purchasing
through the provision of quality education, skills training power parity (PPP) terms for sub-Saharan Africa was below
$2 000 in 2005, compared with the world average of $9 420.
and the provision of financial capital to complement
3 Goleman, Daniel (2000) ‘Leadership that gets results’
their willingness to nurture the nation’s human capital.
in Harvard Business Review, March-April 2000, Reprint
Educating women is a vital part of educating the nation. R00204.
When women are prepared for future leadership, then
4 Charumbira, Donald T. (2007) ‘Revitalising values for youth
the nation is prepared for future social cohesion, stability in the context of national development’, paper presented at
and prosperity. the International Workshop on Youth Values Development,
International Youth Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
19 March 2007.
Dr. Kwabia Boateng is an Economist and currently
5 Okojie, Christiana (2006) ‘Youth participation in decision-
heads the Monitoring and Evaluation section at making in sub-Saharan Africa’, paper presented at the Youth
the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in Development Expert Group Meeting for Africa, organised
based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He was also by ECA and the UN Department of Economic and Social
an Associate Professor of Economics at the Affairs (DESA), Addis Ababa, June 2006.
University of Ghana. He coordinated the Fifth 6 The World Bank (2005) Children & Youth: A framework for
African Development Forum (ADF-V) for youth, action, HNDCY No.1, Washington, D.C.
that was organised jointly by the ECA and the 7 Douglas, Aimee and Alessi, Brett (2006) ‘Youth engaged in
African Union in collaboration with UN agen- service: A strategy for combating youth unemployment’,
cies and associated organisations, in November Innovations in Civic Participation, New York, USA, Summer
2006 in Addis Ababa. He is currently assisting in 2006.
drafting the premier edition of the African Youth 8 This paragraph was taken from ‘InterAction leadership
Report 2007, to be published by the ECA. training for youth participants of the ADF-V’, a project
proposal developed jointly by the British Council, Addis
Ababa, and the Economic Commission for Africa in
November 2006.
Endnotes 9 Ananse is the Akan name for ‘the spider’. Ananse stories
1 (2006) Quote from the Concept Paper for the United Nations are fables that portray the spider as the most clever of all
Global Youth Leadership Summit, UN Office of Sport for beings, but because it uses its unique gift of intelligence to
Development and Peace, October 2006, New York. cheat others, it’s always in trouble.
conflict trends I 49
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