HE Dr Bawumia is the most consequential Vice-Presidents in the 4th Republic of Ghana. Even before he came into office, not only did he demonstrate his economic and financial knowledge and bona fides, but he also successfully prosecuted the case against the then-incumbent government and successfully labelled them as incompetent. A tag that Ghanaians agreed with, and it stuck on the NDC like glue. In office, he didn’t take a back seat and do normal boring VEEP ceremonial stuff. He got his hands dirty by designing, proposing, and helping to implement some of the most consequential policies that have contributed to the upliftment of this country and with that global praise. He proposed and championed policies under digitalization, mobile money interoperability, just to mention a few, and medical drones, etc. In a country where corruption allegations are thrown around willy-nilly, none is yet to be thrown at him, and the few desperate attempts have refused to stick. Here, even his opponents come to his defence as one of the honest and cleanest politicians of our time.
But it is in the area of strategic leadership that we can see the genius and humility of Dr Bawumia. By strategic leadership, I am referring to the broader policy roles of policymakers and Senior Management who are responsible for the management of public agencies. Strategic leadership is vital for sponsoring, endorsing, and even providing critical political support for policy reform and innovation in government. The leadership scholar Wart (2003) argues that strategic leadership is supposed to provide a sense of direction and vision, an alignment with the environment, a healthy mechanism for innovation and creativity, and resources for invigorating organizational culture. Governance and leadership expert Donaldson (1995) further argues that the role of leadership in reforms and innovation is critical because of its presumed ability to understand the ambiguous intentions of policymakers. HE Dr Bawumia understood this task when he successfully championed the digitalization agenda in the government. He understood this when he moved the government and, for that matter, Ghana to be one of the leading governments in Africa to champion digitalization and provide digital services to citizens. He demonstrated this when he led and championed financial inclusion in the country.
The scholar Schein (2004) also emphasized the unique functions of leadership in creating an enabling environment and culture in organizations for higher performance. Such a leadership must be creative and have the skills to translate the government’s broad policies and intentions into programs that can be implemented to achieve intended targets. Doing so calls for knowledgeable, selfless, informed, and entrepreneurial leadership to manage for results. We see all these qualities in Dr Bawumia.
But above all, it’s his humility and down-to-earth nature that inspire a lot. As Wart (2003) has argued, good leadership should provide an alignment with the environment, offer a healthy mechanism for innovation and creativity, and create a resource for invigorating the organizational and national culture. Dr Bawumia’s efforts to improve the already cordial relationship between Muslims and Christians in Ghana are legendary. This Muslim feels very comfortable in an Orthodox Charismatic church. He celebrates Mass with and fetes lepers at Easter and Charismas. He turns the Jubilee House into a party ground to host Muslims during Ramadan and for Iftar Meals. He pays for the construction of Mosques and Churches, all to the glory of God/Allah. He adores traditional Ghanaian culture, and whenever he has the opportunity to meet a traditional chief, his knowledge of traditional etiquette is always on display and commendable.
In the current campaign, only one leader has taken full responsibility for his time in office. Where he has failed, he levelled with Ghanaians. He demonstrated this truth and humility when he said he was against the E-Levy but could not stop it. He demonstrated his true character when he publicly acknowledged the battles he lost in Cabinet on some taxation policies. Where he disagrees with the incumbent President on issues like the E-Levy taxes, he has said so and said so publicly. But we can and should also celebrate his successes like the digitalization agenda, mobile money interoperability, financial inclusion, religious tolerance, and his incorruptibility.
H.E, Dr Bawumia has what it takes to user this country into a better, brighter, and prosperous future. He has demonstrated it in opposition, in government as VEEP, and will surely deliver as President if and when given the chance. Such consequential leaders with a sharp mind, good hearts, love of his people, and the ordinary man are difficult to come by. In this turbulent global environment, Ghana needs smart, intelligent, and steady hands to help move us forward. Dr Bawumia has proved that he is the man for the job.
By: Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato
