Leadership Ineptitude, Security Deficit and Sustainable Development Crisis in Sub-Sahara Africa

Abstract

Development is driven by a range of contextual (governance) and convergent (precipitating) factors in social formation. Contextual variables are predisposing factors involving creation of an enabling environment which engenders processes (dynamics/triggers) towards sustainable development. A critical vector in this equation is security; the promotion of development has become synonymous with the pursuit of security. At the same time, security has become a prerequisite for sustainable development. Ironically, leadership in Africa have become a huge drain on the scarce resources of the state through a number of avenues, some official and others illicit leading to security and development crisis. Within the framework of transformational leadership theory, this article examined leadership ineptitude, security deficit and sustainable development crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. This article is carried out using a qualitative desktop method in deriving data for addressing the issues raised. It argues that leadership still holds the keys to security deficit and sustainable development in Africa. The import of this article is to ensure that African leaders manage the resources of the state in such a manner that money is conserved for developmental purposes. Africa can achieve this if it embraces ethical rebirth, the rule of law and constitutionalism, international best practice in management of resources and good governance, among other remedial steps.