African presidents are often criticized for problems affecting the continent. Given the actions of a majority of African leaders, critics are often right when they say that Africa’s problems are linked to leadership.
Although the actions of many African leaders are shameful, there are some good apples on the tree, some African leaders have set an example and deserve to be congratulated.
However, these leaders are not considered to be blameless but are ranked according to their policies and achievements in the areas of economic stability, education, infrastructure development and employment during their tenure.
NANA ADDO AKUFO-ADDO, GHANA
Often referred to as Ghana’s number one worker, President Nana Akufo-Addo has earned the admiration of the entire continent and beyond for his pan-African convictions and pro-population policies.
Since taking office, it has cut civil servants’ salaries and created about one million jobs for the Ghanaian people while stabilizing the economy. He is also recognized for digitizing the national health survey, driver’s license and other government-issued documents.
It has reduced corruption in the public service. President Akufo-Addo recently extended free electricity and water for citizens by three months after taking steps to alleviate the suffering of his people affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
PAUL KAGAME, RWANDA
When Paul Kagame became president of Rwanda in 2000, he inherited a country that had been torn apart by genocide. To rebuild it, it had to rely on guerrillas mostly without instruction and a handful of poorly trained cadres. Even the most optimistic analysts doubted his chances.
But 19 years later, the country is stable, prosperous, unified and largely reconciled. Social services, such as education, health care, housing and livestock, are provided to the needy, regardless of ethnicity or region of origin.
DANNY FAURE, SEYCHELLES
Since President Faure took office on 16 October 2016, he has propelled the Seychelles economy to higher heights. It did not inherit a weak economy, but it is to be congratulated for maintaining the economy of the island country.
In 2019, Faure received the prestigious Global Leadership Award at a National Geographic Award ceremony at George Washington University in Washington DC.
The president has implemented a program to provide free laptops to students across the country since 2017.
ROCH MARC CHRISTIAN KABORÉ, BURKINA FASO
The record of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore is mixed. In particular, its ability to keep its election promises has been hampered by funding constraints and growing insecurity. However, some social programs have been successful.
He received praise for his fight against the insurgency in the country and his ability to open a new market for gold exploration and export. It has also helped farmers across the country.
As a result, agriculture currently employs about 80% of the country’s total population.
ADAMA BARROW, THE GAMBIA
President Adama Barrow inherited a country plagued by chaos; According to the local press, the country’s long-time dictator, Yahya Jammeh, had emptied the public treasury before going into exile in Equatorial Guinea.
In June 2019, he was awarded the Grand Builder’s Super Prize, the Babacar Ndiaye Trophy by African road builders, for his achievements in the country’s infrastructure.
One of the areas where the President has been most commended is to have allowed the judiciary to conduct an independent trial against the former President and to have sought justice for the many victims who suffered human rights violations under the Yahya regime Jammeh.
GEORGE WEAH, LIBERIA
President Weah took office in 2018, amid criticism from sectors that believed he was not qualified to lead the Liberian people.
Although accusations of corruption have tainted his government, many critics argue that the achievements of the Weah administration exceed those of any other president of the country since its independence in 1847.
Some of its greatest achievements include the announcement of free education for Liberians up to university level and its commitment to connecting all county capitals with paving.
JOÃO LOURENÇO, ANGOLA
Following José Eduardo dos Santos, the government of President Lourenço exposed the corruption and nepotism that prevailed in Angola.
Since taking office in September 2017, President Lourenço has undertaken important reforms to improve the transparency of the financial sector, liberalize the exchange rate regime, and pursue a more pro-business trajectory to improve the perception of the country’s business climate by international investors.
MACKY SALL, SENEGAL
President Macky Sall received tremendous praise for his achievements in the health sector. He also repeatedly called on other African leaders to invest more resources in health to address the health challenges facing the continent.
Macky Sall also won the hearts of Africans when he called for the completion of the bridge, road and rail project between Brazzaville and Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Its investments in the health sector in the context of the coronavirus pandemic have not gone unnoticed. These investments encouraged the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors to approve $100 million – half in grants and half in appropriations – to help the Government of Senegal address the social and economic impact of the pandemic.
SAHLE-WORK ZEWDE, ETHIOPIA
In October 2018, Sahle-Work Zewde became Ethiopia’s first female president and the only female head of state in Africa.
A veteran diplomat and United Nations veteran, Zewde was unanimously appointed by Parliament. Since her election as president, she has helped Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed privatize the economy. This partnership provided the young Prime Minister with the much-needed experience and advice to put the country on the path to achieving its goal of becoming a lower middle-income economy by 2025.
CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, SOUTH AFRICA
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, who loves fast cars, vintage wine, trout fishing and game farming, is a controversial figure.
However, it deserves some praise for repositioning the South African economy to take first place in Africa.
As a skilled negotiator and strategist, who acted as the ANC’s chief negotiator during South Africa’s transition to democracy, Ramaphosa created the country’s most influential union – the National Union of Miners.
His negotiating skills have made a significant contribution to helping the country overcome hostile situations that would normally have affected the country’s stability and relations with other African nations.
