Accountable leadership has been one of the biggest challenges to Africa’s development. Among the numerous factors that account for this is the age gap between those deciding policies and those who have to weather their effects. The United Nations has indicated that Africa has the youngest population in the world with 70% of the sub-Saharan African population under the age of 30. While this presents an opportunity for growth across the continent, the potential of young people has not been harnessed enough with leaders leaving no seat for them at the table of decision making.
As bad decisions, economic mismanagement and insecurity continue to hit most countries on the continent, young people have begun to make their voices heard by demanding accountability through various means. But what better way to demand accountability than to be at the helm of affairs?
The rise of young people like Bobi Wine, the Ugandan musician turned political icon and recently, Nana Kwame Bediako, a Ghanaian real estate titan popularly known as Cheddar, to take top leadership positions have signaled a new revolution in African leadership.
After days of a controversial “man behind the mask” campaign that ran with the caption “The New Force”, Bediako revealed on January 8 this year that he is the man behind the political movement known as “The New Force”.
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“We need to educate. We need to uplift our children. We need to voice out to them. You are about to find out about this man in the mask because I never spoke a word, you were looking for me,” Bediako said at a press conference after the cancellation of an event called ‘The Convention’ which was to take place at the Blackstars Square on Sunday, January 7, 2024.
The event invited African leaders such as Peter Obi, Julius Malema, P.L.O Lumumba, and Arikana Chihombori-Quao to speak to young people. The idea, according to organizers, was to educate young people and encourage them to participate in nation-building.
This declaration marked a significant shift in his role from a business leader to a political aspirant, aiming to leverage his success and vision for Ghana’s economic and social development into tangible political change.
This would probably be considered the beginning of Nana Kwame Bediako’s political activism. Until then, he was mostly known for showing off in fancy dresses on social media with a self-proclaimed title of “The Prince of Africa”.
Bediako’s “The New Force” suggests a fresh approach to governance that is inclusive of young people, emphasizing economic empowerment, sustainable development, and a break from traditional political practices.
For Nana Kwame Bediako’, the launch of “The New Force” also signals a potential shift towards leaders who are not just politically savvy but also bring a deep understanding of economic development and social empowerment to the table.
On the contrary, Bobi Wine, born Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has been a pivotal figure in Uganda’s political discourse, channeling his influence as a musician to advocate for social change, justice, and political reform.
As of 2018, Wine had emerged as the most powerful opposition to President Yoweri Museveni’s 32-year grip on the country. He was only four years old when President Yoweri Museveni came to power in 1986.
His 2021 presidential run, although unsuccessful, marked a significant moment in Uganda’s political landscape, symbolizing the youth’s hunger for change and an end to the longstanding regime of President Yoweri Museveni.
As noted by the Harvard International Review, Wine earned the nickname “the Ghetto president” for his debut song “Ghetto,” which criticized the government even before he entered politics. Bobi Wine has also shown through his music and activism that he clearly articulates the people’s frustrations.
Wine’s approach to politics is characterized by direct engagement, leveraging grassroots support to challenge an autocratic regime and inspire a movement for democracy and transparency in governance.
But he has to face President Museveni who conducts elections to present a facade of democracy to Western allies in order to attract aid.
A Comparative Look at Bobi Wine and Nana Kwame Bediako’s Visions for Change
The entrance of Nana Kwame Bediako into the political sphere presents an interesting parallel to Bobi Wine’s journey. Both men have leveraged their success and popularity in their respective fields to embark on a path toward political change, albeit with different strategies.
While Bobi Wine’s approach is rooted in mobilizing the youth and challenging the political establishment through direct confrontation, Bediako’s “The New Force” hints at a movement aimed at systemic change through economic empowerment and innovation.
Wine has also used music, something that so many people relate to, as a political tool to highlight the frustrations of his grassroots.
Both Bediako and Wine’s visions embody a shared goal: to challenge and ultimately transform the outdated systems that have long governed their nations. Wine’s political activism and Bediako’s economic-driven political ambition represent two sides of the same coin—a desire for a new era of leadership that prioritizes the needs and aspirations of the African populace.
A ‘Youthful’ Vision for Africa’s Future
The emergence of Wine and Bediako confirms a growing trend of the rise of young people on the African continent. Besides the push for political leadership, protest activities such as #EndSars in Nigeria and #FixTheCountry in Ghana are proof of the hunger of young Africans for good leadership.
As Africa grapples with the leadership of veterans and descendants of the independence revolution, the political ambitions of the likes of Bobi Wine and Nana Kwame Bediako offer a glimpse into the future of potential transformative leadership. Their different paths to political engagement underline a common pursuit of all young Africans: a prosperous, equitable, and democratic Africa.
Whether through the grassroots mobilization of “The People Power Movement” the vision of “The New Force,” or other movements in Nigeria and Kenya, the continent is witnessing the emergence of a new era of leaders ready to challenge the status quo and redefine African leadership for the 21st century.