Mr Baffour Adjei-Bawuah, Ghana's former Ambassador to Japan under President John Agyekum Kufuor, has voiced concerns about the country's approach to leadership, arguing that Ghana’s challenges stem from a misconception that holding a position automatically makes one a leader.

In an interview on Accra-based CTV’s Master of the Game, hosted by Kwesi Kyei Darkwa on Monday, November 25, 2024, Mr Adjei-Bawuah emphasized that true leadership requires more than electoral success.

Mr Adjei-Bawuah highlighted the distinction between merely holding office and embodying genuine leadership, stating that leadership is built on intrinsic qualities such as respect, effective communication, and the willingness to learn.

He underscored that "just winning an election does not make one a leader."

According to him, true leaders are either trained, born with leadership traits, or developed through experience and relationships.

He argues strongly that there is a difference between post-holding and leadership, further explaining that the two are not the same       

The former diplomat further explained that appointments are often job-focused, with individuals hired to complete specific tasks, while genuine leadership involves personal attributes that inspire and engage others. “Leadership,” he said, “is about how you talk to your people and how they perceive your respect for them,” Mr Adjei-Bawuah warned that leaders who disregard or disrespect their followers would struggle to inspire loyalty and cooperation.

He also noted the common misconception that winning elections equates to effective leadership, criticizing the trend of “purchasing votes” and the frustration many elected officials feel when questioned by the public. Leadership, Adjei-Bawuah asserted, is a “natural quality” not possessed by everyone, and he argued that leaders must demonstrate qualities such as accountability, effective communication, and an openness to feedback.

Adjei-Bawuah’s comments underscore the need for leaders to cultivate trust and respect, urging that leadership should be evaluated not only by position but also by one's ability to engage, inspire, and respect those they serve.