Austin Gamey, CEO of Pulse Institute Africa, issued a strong plea to African leaders: set aside partisan divisions and focus on national unity for societal advancement. Addressing the Global Well-Respected Chief Executive Officers Awards in Singapore, Gamey underscored the negative impact of partisanship on citizens.
According to a report by Graphic Online, he advocated for a nationalistic leadership approach that brings diverse groups together to forge a more cohesive society. Furthermore, Gamey advised young people and the middle class to critically assess leaders’ capabilities in realizing their goals.
Under the theme “Promoting Global Corporate Competitiveness for Attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” the event aimed to recognize and commend institutions and individuals contributing to effective governance globally and to economic prosperity.
Moreover, Gamey, drawing on his labor expertise, noted Africa’s three-decade developmental delay due to inadequate planning and insufficient civic engagement through elected representatives.
He detailed the SDGs’ ambitions, such as resilience, sustainable infrastructure, innovation, and poverty elimination, touching on critical issues like hunger, health, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.
Speaking to an international audience, including representatives from Ghana, Gamey questioned how globally, and especially in Africa, these 21st-century pertinent SDGs might be realized, with countries like Singapore, Norway, Finland, and Japan possibly reaching these milestones soon.
Gamey issued a stark warning: Setbacks could affect even the most developed nations without effective leadership. Consequently, he challenged global leaders to foster balanced discussions at UN forums to serve as guiding examples for others.
Highlighting Africa’s abundant natural wealth, Gamey expressed concern over the continent’s discipline and knowledge deficits, which threaten SDG attainment.
Additionally, he identified persistent mistrust and entrenched perceptions as stumbling blocks to fully activating the African Continental Free Trade Area, akin to efforts within the European Union.
In conclusion, Gamey pinpointed excessive partisanship, conflicts, disjointed tax systems, and flawed educational structures as significant obstacles to achieving the SDGs.
