Noah Dallaji, Founder, African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF), has called for the renewal of values and attitudinal change in African leadership towards creating a new Africa that works for all.
He made the call in Accra, Ghana, while speaking at the 2021 global summit of the Africa Development Forum (ADF) with the theme ‘The Africa We Want” where he canvassed good governance and vibrant leadership
Dallaji reviewed leadership in the continent and stated that there was still much to do to change the situation towards a more dedicated and altruistic leadership that serves the majority.
Dallaji noted that achieving the desired framework in Africa will require a collective responsibility at individual level, from each country and then the continent.
“As individuals, we must choose our leaders wisely, some of these leaders have no business being in government because they lack the basic requirements yet they get into office because we citizens helped them to attain political power by influencing your ballot,” he said.
He added that African youths also have a role to play to herald the necessary change and development in the continent.
“We surely need a new Africa where there’s political stability, deepened democracy, equity and justice and economic prosperity, but all this will only materialize when we could attain a position of self-reinvention.
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We need leaders with intrinsic values, inclusive government, leaders with capacity and competence and altruistic enough to be servant leaders,” He added.
Also speaking, Jewel Howard-Taylor, Vice President of Liberia, agreed with Dallaji’s position on the need for leadership renewal in order to create a well reformed Africa.
She made the case for women in the conversation for a new Africa, stating that the discussion really should be how everyone can combine resources, innovations and energies to build the continent.
“We must bring a whole different aspect to governance; we’re interested in collaborations so that women from all across Africa can work together to build the continent. This can start by immediately implementing key reforms in governance,” she said.
David Egwu, ADF Director for West Africa, said that according to the theme, it is time to change the social profile of Africa by challenging its leaders to be accountable.
“We need vibrant leaders who are people-centric, not pocket-centric, meaning that we have to ensure our leaders are men and women who are committed to excellence, probity and selfless leadership and that’s what we need to transform the African continent,” he said.
