In Defense of Soldier-Leadership: A Ghanaian Reflection

Every nation thrives or collapses on the strength of its leadership. History shows that when bold, selfless leaders rise, those willing to sacrifice for their people, the nation stands a better chance of progress. Ghana’s experience between 1979 and 2000 offers a vivid example.

This was a period marked by political turbulence, military coups, and a longing for stable leadership. One man, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, emerged from the ranks of the military to become a central figure during this volatile era. While his rule remains debated in academic and political circles, one thing is clear: Rawlings embodied a sense of duty and resolve rarely seen among career politicians.

Though brief periods of civilian rule punctuated this chapter in Ghana’s history, they were often marked by weak governance and corruption. What made Rawlings different was not perfection, but conviction. He led with the mindset of someone who had nothing to lose and everything to give, an ethos common among soldiers who are trained to serve and, if necessary, die for the people they protect.

The contrast with today's political class is stark. Many modern leaders engage in grand rhetoric during campaigns, only to prioritize their own interests once in office. Their policies often benefit the privileged few while the masses remain unheard and underserved. The politics of convenience has replaced the politics of sacrifice.

Career politicians are quick to flee when things get hard. Soldiers are more patriotic. They don’t run, and they usually don’t send their children overseas. They are simply more disciplined than civilians.

I still believe that those who are willing to put the nation above themselves, like soldiers, make better leaders. A president who truly places the people first will be the first to make sacrifices, the first to endure hardship, and if necessary, the first to die for the country. That is the kind of leadership Ghana, and indeed the world, needs.

In my world, soldiers should lead the nation.

That is just my opinion.

 -Pal Ronnie-