The convergence imperative: TICON Africa's policy case at Livingstone 2026

It is quite a normal sight on Ghanaian roads: a toddler sitting in the front passenger seat, sometimes on an adult’s lap, sometimes standing between the seats and occasionally even appearing to “help” Mum or Dad drive. We have seen it so often that it barely attracts attention.

For generations, millions of children encountered the world through maps that gave them a misleading impression of its proportions. Africa appeared modest in size, while Europe, North America, Canada, Russia and Greenland seemed overwhelmingly large.

Imagine a newly appointed Director-General of a public regulatory authority who inherits an institution known for slow processing, opaque decision-making and informal payments that have gradually become accepted as part of navigating the system.

“He who teaches, learns.” – African proverb

In Ghana, organisations are always looking for good leaders. But playful people may not always be their first choice. Just look at job advertisements. Among the qualities employers seek in leaders, playfulness is rarely mentioned.

Walk through Makola, Circle, Kejetia or the shops lining Spintex on any weekday and you will pass hundreds of businesses that are, by any reasonable definition, good businesses.

Leadership begins the moment someone chooses to follow you. Not the moment you receive the title. Not the day you move into the ‘corner office’.

For many years, we have told young people leaving university to “follow their passion”.