World acclaimed Bahamian multi-millionaire pastor, motivational speaker, consultant, enterpreneur, businessman and statesman, Dr. Myles Munroe has said the oil find in Ghana makes the country one of the leading emerging third world countries at a time when first world countries were experiencing a consistent financial meltdown. “These are times when it is okay to be a third world country because the first and second worlds are melting down whiles there is an explosion of new opportunities in the third world countries and Ghana is one of those countries poised to experience economic explosion and assume a leadership role in Africa,” he said. Dr. Munroe was speaking at a press conference at the beginning of his five-day visit to Ghana to hold business leadership seminars for present and aspiring business leaders in Ghana, and also to meet with top politicians, including President John Evans Ata Mills and other leaders. The visit was at the invitation of renowned Ghanaian international pastor, leader, consultant, diplomat, statements, and businessman Dr. Kingsley Fletcher, and it is being facilitated by Sparrow International. It was designed to tap into the expertise, years of experience and deep knowledge of Dr. Myles Monroe on business, Christian, community, international and political leadership devoid of corruption, and characterised by integrity, and how that could drive economic development in Ghana. The highlights of the visit would be the Achievers Power Dinner on Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Accra International Conference Centre with business leaders; and the Aspirers Power Breakfast on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at same venue, with a more youthful audience. Dr. Munroe said this was the first time in 15 years since he last visited Ghana and he was already impressed with the massive physical infrastructure he had seen in Ghana so far, adding that the people of the Bahamas considered Ghana as their roots so he was happy to return to Ghana with the good news that “things are going to get better in Ghana soon.” He said it was important to understand that in the scheme of global events where the economies of first world countries were breaking down, it was important to note that Africa was not part of the banking system of the first world so Africa would emerge when the first world falls. “The future belongs to the emerging economies and Ghana is one of them and perhaps that is why you have begun to tap into (oil and gas) resources which have been hidden for thousands of years until now – it is no coincidence that Ghana discovered oil at a time when the West is falling – this is because Ghana is destined to be a leader in the emerging world,” he said. He predicted that the explosion of opportunities which have begun in Ghana would attract thousands of real foreign direct investments into Ghana, adding that he was personally going to champion investments from the Bahamas and from other parts of the world into Ghana. “I reach over 1.2 billion people with my television programs across the world and I am going to use that platform to project the tourism and investment opportunities in Ghana and drive investors into the country,” he said. Dr. Munroe noted that Ghana’s thriving democracy, characterised by at least two smooth transitions of change of power was a plus to the country because it assured investors of political, economic and social stability. He however noted that without a solid, strong, competent, and well-grounded leadership, no nation or organisation could experience and sustain any meaningful development. Dr. Munroe said the oil find puts Ghana on the verge of becoming global player but that also creates the temptation for corruption, which therefore requires that the resource find be balanced with the development of morally sound leaders, who would ensure that the profits from the resources benefits the entire country. “This is where I come in - I have worked with presidents and governments across the world training leaders with integrity to run the affairs of nations and I have come to believe that leadership is key to the progress of any country or organisation – of something goes wrong or right with the progress of a country or business it is always because of leadership,” he said. Dr. Munroe said nothing happens, changes, improves or is corrected without leadership and the state of the followers depends on the one leading them - so if the leader is weak and incompetent that would reflect on the followers and eventually on the entire community, organisation or country. He assured Ghanaians that during his meeting with business, political, community and religious leaders, over the five days he is in Ghana, he would pass on very practical principle-based and purposed-driven leadership skills which have worked for him as the founder and owner of five successful global businesses, worked for his country, Bahamas, and for other countries and multinationals he mentors. “I would also be addressing the issue of national vision because without vision the country will go in circles; and I will also touch on youth development because the future of the country depends on the competencies of the youth,” he said.