<<Print>>

Winston Churchill once said of Lord Chesterfield that, he (Chesterfield ) had the misfortune of living in an era of great men with very few historical events. Simply put, being alive at the right moment in time helps greatly in achieving greatness, personally and for country. Then you have Shakespeare's - Brutus - quote which says opportunity, "tide", comes and goes. And that to seize the "fortune", one must always take advantage when the "tide" is at its crest. Both observations, in their own unique ways, aptly sum up the presidency of Mills. In the first place, Mills has been lucky to be a president in an era with few good African leaders. Secondly, major and greatness defining events have been taking place, on the continent and globally. Yet he has failed to take advantage of the opportunities to enhance his legacy and to reestablish Ghana as the premier African leader and pacesetter. Going into the 66th session of UN General Assembly, one major issue was on the world's mind : the Palestinian State issue. As usual, Africa was also on the agenda but more so than any other time in recent history since the Liberation era of the 50s and 60s: our neighbor Ivory Coast, terrorism in Nigeria, Al- Shabaab, the Libyan crisis and the Arab Spring etc. So one would have expected President Mills to rise above his selfish and his country's immediate needs and dedicate, at least, one paragraph, to these globally affecting and pressing issues - in his once a year, 15 minute UN speech. Instead, Mills went to the UN like a spoiled son and acted as if the troubles of the world did not matter as much as his own; as if the dirt in his eyes were more life threatening than his brother's heart attack. "I, I, I" and "me, me, me." Of course, every country has its own troubles. But moments like this define the character of a nation and its leadership. South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Guinea Bissau called for a Palestinian State, condemned the use of force in Libya plus, the lifting of Cuba's embargo. Congo, Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Kenya and Lesotho all called for a two state solution.Senegal and Gabon, for example, wanted a two state solution plus a permanent seat for Africa on the Security Council. Mozambique also expressed support for a Palestinian state and also reminded the world of the assassination of Samora Michel "by apartheid" 25 years ago. Sierra Leone was uncommitted but President Komoral gave us a thought provoking quote in his speech: " we must act now to save the world from the anger of the weak and the excessive indulgence of the repression perpetrated by the strong." President Mrs. Sidibe of Mali, implicitly expressed neutrality. But at least, she wished disputing parties "god speed" in their quest for the best possible solutions.All these countries and their leaders, despite their internal problems, spared a paragraph or two -time - to acknowledge issues collectively bigger than their individual ills. But not so with President Mills; rather, he whined and cried as if he was campaigning for votes. And then like a spoiled sibling, he bragged about Ghana's contribution to the UN peacekeeping force, as if Ghanaians were the only contributors, ever, in the organization's history. Apart from the references to the "abstract" crisis and the perfunctory welcome salute to South Sudan, Mills' speech read like a message written without the consultation of "the president"-whose indecisiveness and phobia for commitment has compelled his cabinet to issue statements of "vagueness" in times of need. It was as if Mills himself was a VP or a foreign minister, delivering a speech on behalf of "that president." In short, the speech lacked "leadership." Now, it is absolutely alright if Ghana has decided to remain "non-aligned." But neutrality to the point of non-acknowledgement of disputing parties in public is sheer timidity. (Unfortunately, the policy of "see no, hear no, talk no evil" has also been employed domestically; same timidity with action only after the fact. It is not by coincidence that the President referred to South Sudan. The crisis has passed.....after the fact) On the domestic front, oil is booming, Gold and Cocoa are breaking records. On the continent, Africa is going through a democratic revolution. No African country currently enjoys the same prestige accorded Ghana by the world. Internationally, the longest political crises is heading for a showdown. These are all historical opportunities, once in a life time great" tides" , on which good leaders cast their vessels , in their quest to improve the "fortunes" of mankind and to personal greatness. But at this historical juncture, with all the stars perfectly aligned in favor of Ghana to take off, -and lead Africa - leadership is "missing." AFTERWORD "The Divine Plato" taught Kings and Statesmen but failed miserably as a politician at the courts of Dionysus II. He got only "one term."