https://www.myjoyonline.com/vlk-djokoto-the-youth-statecraft-and-a-new-political-culture/-------https://www.myjoyonline.com/vlk-djokoto-the-youth-statecraft-and-a-new-political-culture/

We need a new style of political leadership that appeals to the citizenry of Ghana on a national basis, capable of arousing a common desire for a renaissance, with a practical programme and theory on which to base its method of statecraft.

This requires a government with an infectious enthusiasm, administrative genius and a charismatic leader who can stir the imagination of the citizenry.

We must reorganise the Ghanaian society and improve the welfare of households through a culture of entrepreneurship. The reorganisation of the Ghanaian society, however, must be intertwined with the principle of meritocracy; a culture that rewards hard-work and talent. One’s prospects of success should not be determined by circumstance of birth into wealth or privilege; people must simply be valued for what they can do.

The industrious lower class, which form the majority of our society, deserve a better quality of life. And a better quality of life, which guarantees work and happiness for the average Ghanaian citizen, can only be attained when we expand the local economy and establish a larger middle-class of manufacturers.

A robust indigenous economy is not just vital for a better life but, more crucially, is fundamental to the modernisation of the Ghana Armed Forces as an effective intelligence network committed to the maintenance of peace across the African continent. A Republic which fails to maintain a sound social order, within its sphere of influence, cannot advance the larger interests of its society. Political stability on the African continent is essential to the economic growth and sustenance of our development.

A nation-builder masters statecraft and applies this skill to the service of others. Life is a process of statecraft and every citizen is a potential nation-builder. An ideal political architect therefore envisions life through the lens of a nation-builder and bases every political campaign on two fundamental pillars: firstly, an introspective analysis of the political architects' star qualities; and secondly, a roadmap that can penetrate the conscience and earn the cooperation of nation-builders.

The latter requires a political architect to reason through the psychological components a national roadmap against the background of our socioeconomic realities as a Republic.

Political architecture is dependent on a shared conception of the Republic and a common desire to realise this vision. This gives the political architect a clear idea as to what constitutes the problems of our society and what criteria are relevant for a sustainable solution. And to do this, a political architect must focus intensely on the audience. It is not just about the discourse between the leader and nation-builders; facial expressions and even the tone of feedback matter. Civic dialogue provides a consensus about the permissible aims and methods of nation-building.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVxaeJF7hxw

When the roadmap is based on fundamentally different conceptions of the future, leadership becomes complex. If citizens can relate to the roadmap, they themselves shall endeavour to find every tool possible that can support the process of statecraft.

This would transform any political campaign conducted by a political architect into an aesthetic experience and stimulate the nationalism of citizens in a way that is beyond their control. The sense of unity, the courage to build and the will-power to sacrifice, is what makes change possible.

The youth of Ghana are the craftsmen that must be the foremost builders of a modern Republic. Ghana must have faith and give the new frontier of leadership an opportunity at statecraft.

A constitutional amendment of the Presidential age-limit has the potential to be one of the biggest steps in political advancement ever taken by the citizens of this Republic. The amendment would offer a fresh framework for national government; I have no doubt that a young and vibrant group of nation-builders would rise to the status of revolutionary national figures. I propose a new Presidential age limit is set at 30. There is a sense of optimism, euphoria and a renewed spirit for national development that comes with a modern political order. We are the spark that Ghana so desperately needs.

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Vincent Djokoto

Vincent Djokoto is an Adviser at D. K. T. Djokoto & Co and a Columnist passionate about politics, pop culture and history. He is an avid chess player, music enthusiast and Accra Hearts of Oak fan.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.