Herbert Mensah

It is not easy being a leader or  a genuine peace maker especially in long standing conflicts. Most people are timeously reactive and are not the ones who should hold positions of authority and influence!

They live by the Old Testament ethos of “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” because they never experienced the loss of life and property which comes with a centre-less and morally questionable society and which ultimately means that the conflicts will never end.

Long term conflicts ore born out of egos, power struggles and misunderstandings all fuelled via various conspiracy arrangements between major and lessor players. Many are not born to be of the centre and get there by destroying and betraying the centre.

Sadly it takes real leadership to recognise the difference between those now dead or deprived as a result of the conflict, the principles and factors which brought about the conflict and their role in bringing about peace.

True leaders like Mandela whilst holding power showed the educated elite who normally fuel crisis what it is to give up more in order to ensure peace for the majority and the greater good. He showed that it is not about simple or cheap rhetoric but about action which the world could see!

In these our times and in many countries not only Ghana, the centre is weak and yet the majority pray for peace!