Leadership is About Legacy, Not Statues – Mahama Knocks Nana Addo

President John Dramani Mahama has taken a swipe at his predecessor, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, over his decision to commission a statue of himself while still in office.

Speaking during the wreath-laying ceremony for the late Professor Mills, Mahama said Mills’ life taught us that leadership is about leaving behind the right legacy and not resorting to statues or slogans to be remembered.

“If there’s one lesson we draw from the life of president Mills, It is that no challenge is insurmountable. When we lead with integrity, when we listen with empathy, and when we govern with principle. It is that lesson that I strive to follow in the reset agenda that we have adopted,” he said.

Mahama added that leadership is about legacy, and that is built through hard work and improving the lives of the people you are elected to lead.

“In the end, leadership is about legacy. And it’s not to be found in statues or slogans. But in the lives of the people that we touch and the examples that we leave behind,” he continued. “To the people of Ghana, let us recommit ourselves to the Ghana that professor Mills believed in. A Ghana that is united in diversity, strong in values, and anchored in peace.”

During the final year of his term in office, President Akufo-Addo commissioned a statue of himself that was constructed near the Effia Nkwanta Hospital in the Western Region.

@officialutvghana Leadership is about legacies not statues and slogans – Prez Mahama #UTVNews ♬ original sound – UTV Ghana

Analysis of Mahama’s Akufo-Addo jab

There is truth to the claim that leadership is mostly about legacy – what people would remember about you once you’re gone.

The problem is that has to be a motivating factor for a leader if they’re to be any good.

If a leader lacks the recognition of the importance of legacy, they might rule for their own selfish interests and care less about what people say about them once they are gone.

While Mahama is making this great point, we can only hope for all our sake that he actually believes it and is working to leave behind a legacy that can rival the NDC Presidents before him.