Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has urged African governments to prioritize competence in appointing economic management teams, emphasizing that effective governance requires expertise at all levels of leadership.
Speaking at an Executive Leadership Retreat in Ada, Ghana, on April 24, Jonathan criticized the widespread lack of qualified personnel in key governmental roles across the continent, calling it a systemic barrier to progress.
“Getting competent hands to man major departments of government is critical, and it is lacking in most of our countries,” Jonathan stated. He argued that economic teams must consist of “top-class people” capable of driving policy implementation, stressing that leadership responsibility extends beyond presidents to ministers and junior officials. “They too must lead because leadership is not the president alone,” he added.
Jonathan also raised concerns about the four-year presidential terms in Nigeria and Ghana, contrasting them with the five-year mandates common in other African nations. He highlighted the practical challenges of shorter tenures, particularly for new administrations. “If you are a new person and you just came in, you need about a year before you will adjust. You work for two years; the next year is an election year. So time to really move your country is very limited,” he explained.
His remarks reflect broader debates over governance structures in Africa, where brief electoral cycles often clash with long-term development goals. While some countries have extended presidential terms to ensure policy continuity, critics caution against undermining democratic accountability. Jonathan’s focus, however, centers on balancing institutional stability with opportunities for meaningful reform.
The push for specialized economic leadership aligns with growing demands for institutional capacity in Africa, where debt burdens and global economic pressures persist. Analysts note that robust economic teams could reduce reliance on external advisors and strengthen locally tailored solutions. As nations navigate climate challenges and inflation, Jonathan’s critique underscores a recurring dilemma: aligning political timelines with the sustained efforts required to achieve equitable growth.
