Dear Editor – I am writing this letter based on my personal views and interest of the issue relating to the leadership style and corruption that has become norm for Solomon Islands.
Corruption according to Transparency International is defined as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”.
That said, it is the central role that a leader plays in fashioning a society, for better or worse.
For a long time there have been questions concerning leadership styles and corruption in our country, and people have called for change; for good, morale and ethical leadership, by our policy and decision makers.
Despite it all, corruption still hampers our country.
The inefficiency in political, economic and social development in our nation depicts much, than we could say.
And most our succeeding leaders had a fair share on depriving citizens of resources, infrastructure and opportunities the people would otherwise had.
Corruption is a major factor which continues to drain our country’s wealth and reducing economic growth, for the personal gains of a few.
It took place in the logging and mining sectors which led to the depleting of our natural resources where nothing tangible was received in return for the land owners.
Think as well of the root causes of the Ethnic Tension some years ago, which had killed our people.
The Russell Plantation issue, the so called “black Tuesday” or April riot, Land issues, and you think of the rest.
Till then, it’s obvious our leaders were notably more attracted to personal gains, business oriented mindset and power rather than serving the interests of our people as supposed so.
Nevertheless, corruption has crippled our national economy. And so, today we witness a new culture at play in most our country’s institutes, and of course including our government.
Good leaders are not always the successful business men /women, whom can play with money, neither those decorated educates, not even a power or authority or an employment for that Matter.
Leadership is not just rules, skills and techniques, involve the body and the mind, but also the personality, style, spirit, character and wisdom.
Thus, leadership is an ‘Art’ embedding ethical principles of; respecting others, serving others, showing justice, manifest honesty and build communities. It is a life time service and sacrifice.
There have been highly regarded leaders whom their legacies have recorded in history for their great service to their country, which I put forward as a benchmark for future potential leaders.
The tremendous moral authority of Nelson Mandela for example, acquired through a life time of service and sacrifice, had inspired his people to choose the part to reconciliation instead of bloody ethnic tension being anticipated.
And on April 1994, millions of South-Africans queued for many miles to vote to end three centuries of racial injustice and elected Nelson Mandela as their president.
The question here is, whether we can achieve such leadership qualities in our country or not? Hopefully we could make-up own rational thinking.
But, we deserve change in our country for better, if not now then for the generations to come.
Jorge Puia Singatai
Emalus Campus, USP
Port Villa
Vanuatu
