In recent days, Ghana has been struck by two sobering events: the tragic loss of eight government appointees and military officers in a helicopter crash, and the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Though unrelated, these events converge to remind us of a profound truth – life is fleeting, and positions are temporary.
These are not just headlines; they are reminders. No matter how high we climb, how powerful we become, or how secure we feel, everything can change in an instant. History is full of leaders who ruled with iron fists. They silenced dissent, punished critics, and surrounded themselves with praise-singers. Yet, when their lives ended suddenly, what remained were memories of fear, not love.
“Let your legacy be your kindness, not your crown,” our forebears would say.
The helicopter crash victims were not just officials—they were fathers, mothers, friends, and mentors. Their titles and possessions are gone; what remains is the impact they made while alive.
Beyond Death
Life’s fragilities extend beyond death. Losing a position or capacity to serve can happen suddenly, as illustrated by the removal of Justice Torkornoo—the first head of Ghana’s judiciary in the Fourth Republic to be removed under constitutional provisions. A committee found that grounds for misbehavior had been established, recommending her removal.
Her case is a stark reminder that even the highest office is subject to accountability. Today, you may command authority; tomorrow, you could become an ordinary citizen. What matters most is the positive mark you leave on society.
Lesson for Living
As our elders say, the footprints of the dead are lessons for the living. To those in power: do not weaponize authority, antagonize, or settle personal scores. The people you look down on today may be the ones history celebrates tomorrow. Positions are temporary, but the impact you leave is eternal.
Humility must guide our actions. The helicopter crash victims were traveling to address illegal mining—a noble cause demonstrating that public service should focus on societal benefit, not personal gain. True leadership lies in serving others, not being served.
Those who abuse power today may find themselves powerless tomorrow. Officials who dismiss subordinates unfairly, treat citizens with contempt, or exploit their offices to settle personal scores must remember that positions are fleeting, but the harm inflicted can last a lifetime.
What Next?
As we mourn the helicopter victims and reflect on the Chief Justice’s removal, let us embrace the truth these events reveal: positions are temporary, but impact is eternal.
The measure of our lives is not in titles or wealth, but in the positive difference we make in others’ lives. Each of us must ask: what will be said of us when we are gone? Will people remember our compassion or cruelty? Our service or selfishness?
To government appointees, public servants, and those in positions of influence: you have a platform not for personal gain, but for public good. Use it wisely, humbly, and to build rather than break.
When the curtain falls—and it will—only your impact will remain. Let us live and lead with the awareness that tomorrow is not promised. Prioritize humanity over hierarchy, service over status, and legacy over luxury.
Ghana needs leaders who understand that true greatness lies not in the position you hold, but in the lives you touch.
Source: Seidu Agongo, businessman and philanthropist
