A New Leadership for Africa
by Naye Bathily on April 15, 2009 in Features
“There is no greater power than the power of serving people.”
–U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi’s quote eloquently captures my career goals. As an African and as a woman, I want to make a positive contribution to Africa’s development. Running for office and being legitimately elected will give me the opportunity to serve my home country of Senegal and to impact countless lives.
Whether analyzed through the lens of political science, economics, or sociology, Africa is often perceived as a doomed continent. More optimistic analyses point to the 5+ percentage economic growth rates in certain African countries, rising foreign investment, and China’s arrival on the African scene. Still, much of Africa remains underdeveloped and the primary cause is poor leadership.
What is needed in Africa are leaders with vision that truly want to serve their people. My ambition is to run in the 2012 Senegal elections and to become one of these leaders.
Elected officials in any country play an important role in fostering change. In donor countries, they participate in allocating aid. In developing countries, they can champion social and economic reforms. The power of elected officials in West Africa, however, has largely been untapped; most politicians are simply rubber stamps. For this reason, and due to limited opportunities for women in West African politics, many educated women choose to work in the private sector.
I, however, strongly believe in the power of politics to create change, and that women leadership is essential to Africa’s development. In order to improve my chances in the 2012 Senegal elections, I applied for and enrolled in HKS’ Oval Office program.
The program has not only equipped me with essential skills for running for office, but has connected me with a broad network of talented women dedicated to public service.
Although the program is oriented toward careers in American politics, many of the skills I have learned are transferable to my home country. The program’s communications training – in public speaking and media relations, in particular – has been extremely helpful. I have also benefited from numerous networking opportunities. During a meeting last December with newly-elected members of Congress, I learned a great deal about campaigning from an Illinois Congresswoman sitting next to me. Her story was truly eye-opening.
Since participating in the Oval Office Program, my political ambitions have only strengthened. I sincerely believe that I have been called to politics and public service, and that fulfilling my ambitions is a matter of personal responsibility. My time in the Oval Office Program has been an important first step on the long road to my destination.
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