Leadership today is no longer a matter of authority — it is a matter of construction. In Chapter 3 of Power 237, titled “The Role of Religious and Traditional Organisations,” Dr Guy Gweth challenges our traditional idea of leadership. He writes that by encouraging genuine dialogue between the State and religious or traditional institutions, Cameroon can strengthen its power and quicken its transformation.
Behind that line lies a quiet revolution: modern leadership is not about control, but coordination. True power grows from trust, listening, and cooperation — between government, the private sector, faith leaders, and local communities.
From pyramids to partnerships
For much of history, leadership has been vertical: one leader at the top, orders flowing down the line. But this top-down model, inherited from military and colonial systems, is increasingly obsolete. The challenges of our century — pandemics, climate change, inequality, social unrest — cannot be managed by command alone. They require shared intelligence, collaboration, and co-creation.
Cameroon is uniquely equipped to embrace this change. It is home to a vibrant network of institutions, traditions, and communities — from traditional chiefs and religious leaders to civic groups and social entrepreneurs — all capable of shaping the nation’s future. When these voices engage with the State as partners rather than subjects, policies become more grounded, inclusive, and effective. But collaboration does not happen by decree. It must be cultivated — through spaces for dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared sense of responsibility for the common good.
What Cameroon needs now are orchestrators
Power 237 calls for a new generation of leaders — not commanders, but orchestrators. The country has no shortage of talent or ideas. What it sometimes lacks are those who can bring people together, align diverse perspectives, and turn collective ambition into coherent action. An orchestrator doesn’t drown out other voices; they create harmony. They don’t issue orders; they build consensus. They don’t impose their vision; they help shape a vision everyone can own.
A leadership culture rooted in cooperation
The future belongs to leaders who unite rather than divide, who listen before acting, and who see coordination as a source of strength, not weakness. This isn’t an idealistic dream — it’s a practical necessity. Cameroonian communities have always known how to negotiate, coexist, and find common ground. Power 237 simply urges us to elevate that instinct — to make collaboration not just a social habit, but a national strategy.
📘 Power 237 by Dr Guy Gweth — a call for renewed leadership and shared governance in a changing Cameroon.
By Sharon Emade
