The inauguration of the new President of the United States was not the only historic inauguration in January 2009.

Ghanaian President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, took the oath of office almost two weeks before President Obama.

The inauguration was historic. It's the first time an African nation has had not one but two peaceful changes of government from one political party to another following an election.

Many people were concerned that Ghana would go the way of Kenya and Zimbabwe, since all three are former British colonies. After Kenya's 2007 election its defeated rulers refused to relinquish power to the election winners. The result was inter-tribal conflict with at least 1,000 victims.

Zimbabwe's election a few months later led to the defeat of the incumbent Robert Mugabe. But he remains in power. Having ruled Zimbabwe for 29 years, during which he brought about the economic collapse of his country, he has simply refused to step down. The police and military still follow his orders and members of the victorious opposition party are constantly being intimidated, arrested, tortured or murdered.

A major factor in all of this is corruption. Most African leaders and their cronies make a great deal of money from bribes and kickbacks while in office. This makes them afraid of an investigation should they leave office—an investigation that could lead to their prosecution, imprisonment or even death. In 1979 some of Ghana's former rulers were executed on charges of corruption.

Tribalism is another factor. Most people vote for a candidate from their own tribe. The Kenyan election was won by a member of the Luo tribe, which happens to be the same tribe as US President Obama's late father. With the former president still refusing to hand over the government to his elected successor, the joke in Kenya for some months has been that the United States would have a Luo president before Kenya! Sadly, this has proved to be the case.

Arguably, America's greatest president was its first, George Washington. This is not just because he was a revolutionary hero who led his troops to victory. It's also for the very simple reason that he left office gracefully, setting an example that continues to this day. Most of the newer presidential republics have not been able to accomplish that. Without a peaceful transition, economic prosperity is impossible.

Fear of political uncertainty and economic upheaval drive away foreign investors and the financial investment that poor countries desperately need. In his book Empire, historian Niall Ferguson showed that at the height of the colonial period immediately prior to World War I, 63 percent of direct foreign investment went into countries today called the Third World, but then colonies of the European powers. In 1996 that was down to 28 percent, while only 5 percent of the world stock of capital was invested in poor countries (page 360).

Why such a huge difference? When African countries were colonies of the European powers, they were politically stable. Investors knew their investments were safe. Unfortunately, this is not the case in most African nations today.

Jesus Christ observed that "the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them" (Matthew 20:25). He continued, "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (verses 26-28).

African leaders especially need to learn to serve their people rather than to "lord it over them."

One way America and other western nations can help is by setting the example of corruption-free government. Another is by not giving foreign aid directly to corrupt governments. This goes against the accepted practice; but typically aid money is stolen by leaders, the common people receiving no benefit at all.

Africans across the continent have high expectations of the new US president. But the fact remains that no matter how much money is given to Africa it won't make any difference until the problems of corruption, nepotism and tribalism are ended at the highest governmental level.

Although corruption remains a problem in Ghana, it really is good news that the country is setting an example for Africa when it comes to the peaceful transfer of power.

The world's most important transfer of power will occur when Jesus Christ becomes the world's King of kings. To learn about His promised Kingdom simply request or download our free booklet: The Gospel of the Kingdom.