A Governor of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, Mr. Anis Haffar has commended the selflessness and commitment of several traditional leaders towards growth and community development.
Mr. Haffar noted that the traditional leaders have the best interests of their communities at heart as a result of which they actively work to promote growth across board.
Speaking on the topic; “Effective Education for Traditional leadership in the 21st Century” at the Millennium Excellence Foundation lecture at the GIMPA Main Auditorium in Accra recently, the renowned educationist stressed the need for traditional leaders to be guided by fairness, integrity, accountability and transparency in their leadership roles, saying education of traditional leaders should emphasise the importance of moral leadership.
The Vision of the Millennium Excellence Foundation, of which Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, is the Life Patron, is to recognise and support achievement in sustainable development in line with its core values with the objective to inspire, identify, celebrate and reward achievers in diverse fields of endeavor; mentor, coach, build resilience, support stakeholder initiatives, train, build capacity and develop infrastructure; serve deprived communities and vulnerable groups, and people living with disability, women and the youth.
The seasoned educationist noted that when the traditional leaders have been equipped with these qualities it would ensure that they serve as role models and promote the best interests of their communities.
According to Mr. Haffar, traditional leaders are the guardians over the land and natural resources for which their education should highlight the importance of environmental stewardship, conservation and sustenance resource management.
This, Mr. Haffar said, would enable them to understand the environmental challenges facing their communities and implement measures to protect their natural heritage.
The author and columnist who is also the chairman of the National Teaching Council noted that when “ traditional leaders show integrity, transparency and strong sense of commitment they inspire and motivate others to follow their lead as well as create the environment for community development”.
Mr. Haffar has, therefore, recommended that since traditional leaders would want to serve others rather than be served, there is the need for them to benefit from education to encourage them to be mindful of their leadership roles.
He explained that since we live in a digital age it is recommended that the traditional leaders upgrade their skills in technology to meet the demands of the youth in these modern times.
