Adei: Let's raise bar for who becomes Prez

The former rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, has called for improvement in the criteria for aspiring presidents in the country.

The economist indicated that when the constitutional requirements for Ghanaian presidential hopefuls are upped, citizens would begin to see hope in their economic, social and political lives.

Prof Adei explained that the qualification as prescribed in the 1992 constitution for a president is lower than that of a "primary school teacher".

The professor made the recommendation when he delivered a lecture at the All Nations University College in Koforidua on the topic: ‘Leadership and Nation Building’.

"We must raise the bar for who becomes the President in Ghana,” he insisted.

"The qualifications to become a president of Ghana [are] less than becoming a primary school teacher; you must be 40 years, speak English, and not be mad.

"There is nothing about your morals, what you have demonstrated in your life...we must raise the bar," he said.

According to Professor Adei, raising the bar regarding qualification for good leadership must cover character, competence, and care.

He called on the National Commission for Civic Education to rise to the task in educating citizens to look for signs of a good leader, adding: "We must increase the supply side of good leadership such as strengthening the accountability system and reducing room for corrupt leaders using public office for personal gains."

Professor Adei expressed disappointment in the middle class in the country, who, he said, have gone silent on the need to provide intellectual leadership for Ghana, and challenged them to rise and give voice to good governance.

He also called for the strengthening of the independence of the media from politicians.