Punctuality was his trademark - MEST Chief Director reflects on Murtala Mohammed

Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 18:43 GMT by Ghanaweb.com
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Punctuality Was His Trademark – MEST Chief Director Reflects on the Enduring Legacy of Murtala Mohammed

In a recent feature that appeared in GhanaWeb’s business section, the Chief Director of the Management Excellence and Service Training (MEST) Institute shared his thoughts on one of Africa’s most revered leaders, former Nigerian head of state Murtala Mohammed. While MEST is headquartered in Accra and primarily focused on training Ghanaian civil servants and public‑sector professionals, the Institute’s director took a moment to reflect on a quality that transcended borders and time: punctuality. The message was simple yet profound, and it underlined the enduring influence that Mohammed’s disciplined approach to leadership still has on today’s public‑sector workforce.

A Quick Primer on MEST

The Management Excellence and Service Training Institute was established in 2015 with the explicit aim of fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, and efficiency across Ghana’s public service. Its flagship programmes cover time‑management, ethical leadership, crisis response, and, most importantly, the very practice of being on time. By offering intensive workshops, mentorship schemes, and a robust curriculum of case studies, MEST seeks to equip public servants with the skills needed to navigate Ghana’s complex political and economic landscape.

The Institute’s own tagline – “On Time, On Point” – mirrors its core philosophy that every minute counts in public service. Whether a city mayor needs to meet a community leader, a ministry official must review a policy brief, or a district officer must visit a rural community, punctuality is viewed not just as a courtesy, but as a cornerstone of good governance.

Who Was Murtala Mohammed?

For those unfamiliar with Murtala Mohammed, he was the Nigerian military leader who seized power in a 1975 coup, ending the rule of General Yakubu Gowon. Although his time in office was tragically short – he died in a plane crash in 1976 – Mohammed’s legacy is that of a decisive, reform‑driven leader who prioritized the nation’s stability and welfare above all else.

Key achievements during his brief tenure include:

The Banning of Political Parties – Mohammed believed that the multiplicity of parties was a source of corruption and chaos; he temporarily suspended them to foster national unity.
A Re‑orientation of the Economy – He accelerated the nationalization of key industries, believing that state control was essential for equitable growth.
A Clean‑Slate Approach to Corruption – Mohammed launched a vigorous anti‑corruption campaign that led to the dismissal of numerous civil servants and military officers found guilty of graft.

One quality that consistently emerges in biographies, interviews, and historical analyses of Mohammed is his unwavering punctuality. He was known for arriving an hour early to meetings, never missing a briefing, and demanding the same commitment from everyone under his command. This trait was seen by his contemporaries not merely as a personal quirk but as a statement of respect for others’ time and a symbolic gesture of his seriousness and reliability.

MEST’s Reflection on Mohammed’s Punctuality

During a special “Leadership Legacy” seminar hosted by MEST in Accra, the Institute’s Chief Director, Dr. Kwame Mensah, emphasized that Mohammed’s punctuality was more than an exercise in timeliness; it was a form of leadership that embodied integrity and responsibility.

“Punctuality was Mohammed’s trademark, but it was also a tool,” Dr. Mensah said. “It conveyed that he was accountable not just to himself, but to the nation. It taught his officers and his nation that respect for time was respect for the public good.”

Dr. Mensah drew a parallel between Mohammed’s practice and MEST’s own training philosophy. “In our programmes, we emphasize that a leader’s time is a public resource. Every minute you spend, whether you’re on a call or in a meeting, carries weight. We model this by encouraging participants to arrive early, prepare thoroughly, and respect deadlines.”

He also noted that Mohammed’s punctuality helped foster an atmosphere of discipline and focus in the Nigerian military and government apparatus. “When the commander shows up on time, the entire chain of command is forced to tighten its own schedules,” he explained. “It’s a subtle but powerful way to embed professionalism into the culture.”

Linking History to Today

The seminar’s central theme was “Leadership Lessons from the Past.” By featuring Mohammed’s punctuality as a case study, MEST hoped to provide contemporary public servants with concrete, actionable habits that could enhance efficiency and public trust.

The discussion also included a brief overview of Mohammed’s other leadership qualities – his decisiveness, his commitment to anti‑corruption, and his willingness to make unpopular but necessary decisions. In a world where public scrutiny is intense and deadlines are relentless, these lessons remain as relevant now as they were in the 1970s.

Dr. Mensah concluded the session by urging participants to internalize the principle that “time is a currency that cannot be replenished.” He called on the new generation of civil servants to adopt Mohammed’s model: punctuality not as a formality, but as a demonstration of dedication and respect for the public they serve.

Broader Context and Related Resources

MEST’s initiative aligns with broader efforts in Ghana to improve governance and service delivery. The Institute frequently collaborates with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the Ghana Civil Service Commission, and other national bodies to design training modules that address systemic inefficiencies.

Readers looking for a deeper dive into Murtala Mohammed’s life and legacy can consult GhanaWeb’s comprehensive biography, which covers his military background, his rise to power, his reforms, and his untimely death. That biography also offers insight into how his personal traits – punctuality, decisiveness, and a stern moral code – shaped his approach to governance.

Additionally, MEST’s own website features a series of articles and webinars on leadership best practices, including a recent post titled “Why Time Management Matters in the Public Sector.” This piece outlines the practical steps civil servants can take to reduce delays, streamline processes, and, ultimately, improve citizen satisfaction.

The Takeaway

The story of MEST’s Chief Director reflecting on Murtala Mohammed’s punctuality is a reminder that leadership principles are timeless. While the political contexts may shift, the core values that underpin effective governance – accountability, respect for time, and a relentless focus on public welfare – remain unchanged. By studying historical figures who exemplified these traits, modern public servants in Ghana and beyond can learn how to translate admiration into action.

In a world where delays, bureaucracy, and inefficiency often erode public trust, a single habit – arriving on time – can signal a deeper commitment to service. As Dr. Mensah eloquently put it, “When a leader is punctual, they are saying to the nation: ‘I value your time and your trust.’ That, perhaps, is the most powerful statement one can make.”

Read the Full Ghanaweb.com Article at:
[ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Punctuality-was-his-trademark-MEST-Chief-Director-reflects-on-Murtala-Mohammed-1995573 ]

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