Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: Toward African Leadership

“When the post-colonial leaders exited the political stage, that ushered in a decline in the quality of African leadership.”

“It brought about a generation of military rulers with little or no vision.”

“They indulged in the systematic plunder of the people’s resources. They invested in military hardware and adventurism, lavish lifestyles and grandiose projects of little relevance to economic performance.”

“They should have invested in human capacity and food production, and focus on sheltering the teeming millions of homeless.”

“These so-called new generation leaders spared no effort in keeping the people disunited — by pandering to ethnic and religious sentiments among the largely illiterate population.”

“They also deliberately worked toward minimizing the significance of quality education — an indispensable ingredient in stimulating growth and development in Africa.”

“We have to usher in a new path of governance — and provide leadership that is committed to peace, democracy and development.”

“Whether you look at my own country, Liberia, or plenty of other countries, we have to contend with the effects of many years of a system of centralized and dictatorial rule — where the needs of the state and the people were subordinated to the whims of an imperial presidency.”

“A new Africa is unfolding before our eyes. The African Renaissance is now at hand. It is within reach. It is embedded within the honest and seeking minds of the young, the professionals, the activists, the believers in our continent.” (July 2008)

“The election of the first female president in Africa has broken the glass ceiling in this previously strictly male preserve. And it has sent a clear signal for the need of an alternative leadership style.”

“Beyond a passionate commitment to democratic governance, I am trying to lead [by the power of example] — with a healthy dose of personal modesty, quiet self-assuredness and a vision of one’s own place in history.”

“As a leader who inspired hope and optimism. As a person that was short on rhetoric and grandstanding — and long on implementable policies aimed at improving the real lives of people who have long been disenchanted.”

“In short, as a worthy citizen — not as a demi-God.”