Ghana’s former president John Agyekum Kufuor has advised office-holders always to demonstrate transparency and accountability in discharging their duties. This, he noted, is the hallmark of good leadership.
Quality public service that ensures inclusiveness and eschews discrimination in all forms is vital to transform society for the better, the former president added.
“Quality public service in a democracy such as ours should acknowledge the individual citizen, from whom all power emanates, as the real sovereign authority of the land.”
The former president was speaking on the theme “Maintaining Excellence, Integrity and Service in an Era of Global Instability and Permissiveness” at a special honorary award ceremony at Valley View University (VVU) in the Greater Accra Region.
At the event on Friday Valley View, Ghana’s first private chartered university, conferred honorary doctorate degrees on four distinguished African personalities.
It also presented a citation to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The figures who received honorary doctorate degrees are President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, the former president Kufuor, the former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Ghana’s Chief of Staff.
Dedication to public service
All the award-winners were recognised for their selfless dedication to the cause of humanity and society, having distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavour.
They have also been instrumental in championing the progress of society, particularly in the area of education, health, peace-building, youth, women and children’s development, good governance, democracy and mentorship.
“All the awardees share the distinction of public service with leadership. We all also staunchly believe in human dignity,” said Kufuor, delivering a speech after he was robed to mark his latest academic honours.
He reminded African leaders that focused work to address society’s development challenges and meet the aspirations of the people was invaluable for good governance.
Kufuor advised: “The theme should guide us to maintain excellence, integrity and service in an era of global instability and permissiveness.
“The key to ourselves is to begin to act rightly under all circumstances. First, we have to do right by the laws of the land. Then, we must also be guided to being aware of and [display an] appreciation of our nations’ position in the global context.
“And, finally, we must uphold the centrality of humanity in all our worthy endeavours, wherever we find ourselves. Living by this tenet would not be a mean task to do, but surely, you will have fulfilled your conscience.”
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