ONE day, a reputable leader of a country was made to step down because the citizens decided that they couldn't cope with his high standards. This was a leader who had rescued the people from slavery, proffered just and accountable leadership, provided first class infrastructure and social services and protected them against aggressors.

In the process of time, the people went to their leader with a relentless request "...Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." So, the leader stepped down for the people's preferred leader to take the spot.

Is leadership a problem in Africa? Perhaps! Is leadership the solution to the problems in Africa? Maybe, maybe not.

Is western-style democracy the cause Africa's developmental challenges? Well, has dictatorship produced sustained development anywhere on the continent?

Do we need leaders who don't care about losing elections? Ah! If a leader loses elections, with what mandate will they implement the good policies they have?

Is the voice of the people really the voice of God? Well, that great leader who was asked to step aside by the people was God in Biblical Israel.

This seminal work by Terry Mante offers insightful perspectives on governance in Africa and presents a definitive blueprint for creating a functional governance framework for the transformation of the continent.