A few weeks ago, I stepped out to buy food at a certain joint in Accra. The location is quite popular, and every day, scores of people walk in to fill their bellies.
Apart from the fact that their meals are nice, the place has a warm ambience — and so the last thing you’d expect is a gloomy lady sitting quietly by herself.
From afar, two scenarios crossed my mind. My first guess was that she had been “served breakfast”, and my second guess was that she was a tired waitress taking a rest.
However, drawing closer, I realised that both deductions were far from the truth. Rita (name fictional) was neither heartbroken nor a tired staff member.
After our initial courtesies, I learnt that Rita was actually a project manager with a reputable firm in the country. The tag on her dress gave her away, and I wondered why she had isolated herself when everyone else looked cheerful.
So I broke the ice, said “hello”, and a conversation ensued. Minutes into our chat, she was already in tears, and the least I could do was offer her a tissue.
The summary of her grief was understandable. Her boss had given her a heavy beating of words for failing to meet some targets at the start of the year.
I took time to read the message, and while her boss may have had a valid case, what struck me was not the rebuke itself, but the manner in which it was delivered.
In that moment, I reflected on how a leader like Armah-Kofi Buah would have handled the same situation.
Indeed, one of the beautiful traits of the Lands Minister is his ability to straighten ugly people and situations while keeping his calm at the same time.
If you ask me, this craft is the reason why almost all those who have worked with him cannot delete the memories.
Like lightning, he can strike with thunderous impact — but even when he is pushed into that element, you will still see the warmth and grace that always define him.
Suffice to say, if Rita, who is now my friend, were working under Mr Buah and had failed her targets, she would not have come to that eatery alone.
The kind, generous, and gracious politician I have come to know may have escorted her, spoken to her as a daughter, and shown the way, while being honest about her flaws.
So back to answering the question. Everyone needs a boss like Armah-Kofi Buah because he combines grace and firmness with tact — and I am yet to read about any leader who has failed by applying this mixture.
Needless to say, at a time when the fight against galamsey needs a strategic change in mindset to complement ongoing enforcement, who best should lead the war than a man who knows how to crack the whip when needed and also offer guidance where necessary?
This is Armah-Kofi Buah in a nutshell, and for being such a blessing to humanity and leadership, may God continue to crown his efforts with remarkable success. The best truly comes from the West, and the Ellembelle MP is just that!
Paa Kwesi Schandorf,
A proud son.
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