THE ROLE OF ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA

Abstract

African leaders ought to be a crucial source of ethical guidance for their underlings and should at the same time be responsible for moral development in organisations. However, due to lack of ethical leadership in almost all sectors of life, we are undermining our economic and social future. This paper examined the role of ethical leadership in the sustainable development of Africa as its major aim. The doctrinal research method was adopted, and the data collected were both primary and secondary comprising of both hard copies and online source materials. It was discovered that substantive part of Africa is underdeveloped because of the bad leadership, corruption, ethnic manipulations, and dysfunctional institutions among others. The lack of selfless and ethical leadership on the part of our leaders has been a major setback to the development of Africa despite the huge potentials that the continent has in terms of both natural and human resources. It was recommended that ethics should be taught in schools and the civil society should introduce initiatives that would raise awareness about moral principles and selfless leadership. In conclusion, we cannot move forward as a continent if our leaders persist in their unethical manner of leadership. Thus, we must unite as a people to begin to change the narrative and make Africa a better place for living.