Renowned gospel artist and pastor, Dr. Sonnie Badu has voiced his concerns about leadership and development in Africa, urging leaders to adopt a new approach.
Dr. Badu called for drastic changes to tackle deep-rooted issues.
“You would have to clear everybody in Africa and recreate something here,” he stated, reflecting on the persistent problems the continent’s been facing.
Dr. Badu cited a recent incident involving comedian, Michael Blackson and underscored the potential impact such statements could have on foreign investment.
“You just read what Michael Blackson said happened to him. Now, this guy’s an international figure and everything he says carries a lot of weight. What he’s done is damage Ghana big time because what it’s going to do is tell everybody, don’t go and invest in Ghana.”
Dr. Sonnie Badu
He stressed that the issue is prevalent across the continent. “This is Africa, so it’s not just happening in Ghana. It’s happening everywhere,” he said, criticizing the short-sightedness of many African leaders who prioritize personal gain over long-term development. “Where people think about their pockets first before impact,” he remarked.
Comparing African leadership to that in Western countries, he noted that the latter plan far into the future, even at the cost of immediate benefits, contrasting this with Africa’s tendency to focus on short-term gains.
“When you go to the white man’s land, they plan things 200 years ahead. Even if they don’t make anything, even if it doesn’t benefit them. They would rather benefit their children to come.”
Dr. Sonnie Badu
He warned that if the current trajectory continues, future African leaders could inherit a continent lacking in opportunities. “There’s going to be a time in Africa where one will become a President, but there’s nothing to look up to because we have sold our birthrights,” he cautioned, stressing the need to rethink the continent’s development strategy.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of competent leadership.
“We just pray that the right people will occupy certain spaces because there’s something that comes with promise and failure,” Badu said.
He acknowledged the common pattern of leaders failing to deliver on their promises. “This is Africa indeed,” he added, encapsulating his frustration with the current state of affairs.
Artist Discloses His Interest in Football
Dr. Sonnie Badu called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to focus on building team bonds and providing psychological support for the Black Stars.
He stressed the need for better team cohesion, which he believes the team is lacking.
Dr. Badu shared his deep interest in football, saying, “It was either I become a footballer or a musician, and God chose my path. So, I have a lot of interest in football.”
“They can have individual brilliancy, but if you don’t bond together, you wouldn’t make any impact,” he remarked.
He pointed out that off-field bonding can translate to improved performance on the pitch, drawing parallels with teams like Arsenal where players spend a lot of time together.
He also emphasized the importance of psychological support for the players, especially during tough games.
“These players need good psychologists to help them, and they need to bond more together,” he advised, noting that a coach’s motivational skills and team spirit can sometimes determine the outcome of a match.
Comparing the current players to former stars like Asamoah Gyan and Michael Essien, Dr. Badu noted that the past players had grown together through the youth ranks.
“These guys grew from starlets to Black Stars. They know each other. Now flip the script. What about these players? They don’t know each other yet. They’re brilliant, but they need time to gel.”
Dr. Sonnie Badu
Dr. Badu believes that using more local players, who are familiar with African pitches and have stronger team chemistry, would be advantageous for the team in the near term.
He further implied that the current team lacks the unity seen in previous squads.
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