The Late Levy Patrick Mwanwasa, President of Zambia
News of the death of Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, President of Zambia did indeed hit hard. Africa has by his death lost a practical, principled and political brain. Since taking office in January 2002, Levy Mwanawasa has shown beyond all reasonable doubts that he was a man of integrity. The World may remember Mwanawasa who died at aged 59 at a Paris Hospital on Tuesday as the African leader who dared to criticize Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
In Ghana , he could easily be equated to anti-corruption campaigner; P.C. Appiah-Ofori. Zambians will however remember him for standing up to his predecessor Frederick Chiluba. He proved he was no puppet despite being Mr. Chiluba’s chosen successor. Within months of taking office, he had stripped the former President of his immunity from prosecution for corruption. He was widely acclaimed by the international community for his fight against corruption and his economic policies.
Levy Mwanawasa is on record to have resigned as Vice President in 1994 following a row with Minister without portfolio and cabinet enforcer Micheal Sata who later challenged him for the Presidency. Originally, he broke with tradition when he spoke out about the crisis in Zimbabwe once comparing the economic situation there to a sinking Titanic. As Chairman of the Southern African Development Community, he sympathized with Zimbabwean opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai when he withdrew from the country’s sham run-off in June because of attacks on his supporters.
A lawyer with a strong stature, Mr. Mwanawasa suffered a stroke in Egypt hours ahead of the opening of an African Union Summit where Zimbabwe’s election was to be addressed and where he was expected to sit next to Mr. Mugabe President Mwanawasa’s life is indeed a challenge to African politicians especially those who believe they could hand pick successors to cover their back.
Levy Mwanawasa indeed stood up against corruption and walked his talk. His yes was indeed yes and his no, no, no matter whose ass is gored. As Ghanaians go for elections in December we need to be cautious in our choice of leaders. We need a President who would not condone corruption but take incisive action against corruption even if it involved party members. A President with a reputation for probity and a man of modest habit. It is unfortunate, none of our Presidential aspirate spoke against malfeasance by their party supporters in the just ended limited voter registration exercise.
As we join Zambians to mourn President Levy Mwanawasa, let us imbibe his virtuous character and distance ourselves from acts that are inimical to national progress, especially corruption which in Ghana is a national canker.
As we say in Akan; Mwanawasa, Due, Due, Due ne amanehunu.
And in Ga; Mwanawasa wo Dzogban, May Your Soul Rest In Perfect Peace.
