Opinions of Sunday, 23 June 2013

Columnist: Mensah, Richard Obeng

The hero in Martin Amidu

Real heroes are both sacrificial and selfless
Real heroes are worth celebrating both in their lifetime and after their passage. They must be celebrated primarily because of their pace-setting examples and positive achievements. Mr. Martin A.B.K Amidu, a former Attorney-General of the Republic of Ghana, is undeniably a real hero who must be celebrated. Mr. Amidu has doubtlessly demonstrated that he is a sacrificial and selfless fighter!
The greatest need of Ghana and Africa in general, today, is honest leaders. Honest leaders are sacrificial, selfless and principled. They are usually more than willing to sacrifice their comfort for the general good of humankind. They are also selfless because they are always motivated by the comfort of the public rather than themselves, family members and cronies. More importantly, honest leaders always allow their good conscience and godly life principles to dictate their sense of direction. Jesus Christ, Kwame Nkrumah, Martin Luther Jnr., and Nelson Mandela, just to mention a few, are examples of honest leaders. Admirably, Mr. Martin Amidu has by his deeds entered the throne room of these great personalities and his admission has been approved and sealed. Ayekoo! Mr. Martin Amidu.
We can draw three (3) key lessons from the real heroic deeds of Mr. Amidu. Firstly, he is a functional leader. Functional leaders, unlike positional leaders, are not obsessed with titles and positions but always endeavour to achieve the demands of their entrusted office. Mr. Amidu did not compromise the responsibility of a Minister of Attorney-General and Justice. Besides, he has demonstrated that leadership (or say being an Attorney-General) is more than an official title. Although he was fired from office by his own buddies, for reasons best known to them, Mr. Amidu has undauntedly demonstrated that official position without more does not guarantee any good thing. Secondly, Mr. Amidu is a real partisan politician. Real partisan politicians know that politics without principles destroy a nation. Besides, they always allow good conscience and life principles to override their political loyalty to any so-called party discipline (interest). To them, the interests of their nations supersede the agenda of their affiliated political parties. Mr. Amidu, being a real hero, chose to serve the interest of Ghana than to sacrifice it for political expediency. Lastly, Mr. Amidu’s actions were pivoted on selflessness and sacrifice. How many so-called African leaders will champion a cause that will deplete their pockets? How many so-called political leaders in Ghana are ready to sacrifice their stomach, so-called reputation and political office for the benefit of Ghanaians? Mr. Martin Amidu is a living testimony to all of us.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Wisdom Thoughts.
Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com
Blog: Richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com