Mo Ibrahim should invest in African youth not leaders

March marked the return of the Mo Ibrahim African Leadership Award, which has been given to five presidents since its inception in 2007.

On four occasions there was no eligible candidate, but this year it was given to 80-year-old former Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba this week.

A time has come to reflect on its relevance in enhancing accountable leadership.

To begin with, the amount of money involved is staggering in a continent facing poverty, diseases, ignorance, human rights violation and youth unemployment.  

Awarding an individual Sh460 million cash award spread over 10 years and thereafter Sh18 million annually for his entire life sounds extravagant considering that African presidents on retirement get very generous lifetime packages. 

Mr Pohamba left office last year after completing his term. By the time he gets his final part of Sh460 million, he will be 90 years old.  

The intention of the award is noble but there is a serious need to assess whether its strategy is working in influencing accountable leadership on the continent.

UNLIKELY TO BE MOTIVATED

It does not surprise that very few African leaders have shown any interest or concern of winning the award. Many African leaders including those leading the purportedly listed and cherished democracies tilt the balance in their favour for personal gain. 

Many African leaders are wealthy individuals who are less likely to be motivated by monetary rewards to promote good governance.

The cash award can altogether change its structure to give African leadership more value. It can be used to develop a robust mentorship programme on good governance for African youth-to build a new generation of accountable, responsible and responsive leaders.

In a continent where immense resources are required to amass political power, it will take time to alter the current status quo in many Africa countries unless deliberate measures are put in place.

Mo Ibrahim’s cash award approach should also focus on strengthening mechanisms of holding leaders accountable. 

The fund can develop a concrete civic education programme for the continent, setting examples and models to be replicated, and enabling citizens to elect visionary leaders. 

Rather than narrowing the focus on the head of states alone, the award should widen the net and also consider other significant achievements being made by other individual in promoting good governance. 

Youth unemployment is one of major problems facing the continent. Young people account for 60 per cent of all African unemployed, according to the World Bank. A 2011 World Bank survey showed that about 40 per cent of those who join rebel movements are motivated by a lack of jobs. 

Due to the dangers the high rate of unemployment poses to governance in the continent, the award can also be used to reward efforts being put in place in the continent to address youth unemployment: a ticking time bomb. This way Africans, especially the youth, will be happy to be associated with the award. 

Mr Obonyo is the external adviser and a member of the UN Habitat’s Youth Advisory Board. He is a Global Young Diplomat.