Features
When Ghana turned into ancient village of Umuofia!
Umuofia is an ancient village located west of the city of Onitsha, a market town in the Anambra State in Southern Nigeria on the east bank of the Niger River.
In Chinua Achebe’s popular and widely read novel, “Things Fall Apart”, the village of Umuofia is a setting for the story and the community of characters. He decided to use events in Umuofia to illustrate his book. Achebe in his writings, suggested that many things that were true of Umuofia, were true throughout the villages of precolonial Nigeria. Umuofia can, therefore, be seen as a representative of the tribal societies that have not yet been altered by colonialism.
UMUOFIA AS REFERRED TO IN ‘THINGS FALL APART’ NOVEL
Within “Things Fall Apart”, this view of life in Umuofia as reflecting larger patterns is shared both by Okonkwo, the novel’s protagonist and the British Commissioner, who decides to use events in Umuofia to illustrate his book about the process of colonialism.
Indeed, the recent Watchnight church services across the country to usher in the year 2022, were graced with some funny and interesting developments from some of our pastors and prophets with doom prophecies and predictions about fellow humans, group of persons and the country at large in spite of the strong warning from the police hierarchy to them to refrain from the act or face the full rigours of the law. Some of these pastors defied the warning and made predictions of death of fellow humans without any proof whatsoever.
POLICE WARNING TO DOOM PROPHETS AND PASTORS
It is recalled that few days before the end of the year, the Ghana Police Service gave a strong warning to these so-called doom pastors, prophets and men of God that it would go after them, arrest and prosecute such offenders. That, according to the police hierarchy,was a move to stamp out that annual ritual during such period of the year when the country is in festive mood. The police indicated its resolve to deal with such waywardness that has become annual ritual of the end of year Watchnight church services and New Year resolutions.
A statement from the Ghana Police Service warned that under Ghanaian law, it was a crime for a person to publish or reproduce a statement, rumour or report which was likely to cause fear and alarm to the public to disturb the public peace whereas that person had no evidence to prove that the statement, rumour or report was true. It is also a crime for a person, by means of electronic communication service, to knowingly send a communication that is false or misleading and likely to prejudice the efficiency of life saving service or to endanger the safety of any person. The police emphasised that while they were not against such prophecies and had time and again acknowledged the public’s right to religion, freedom of worship and free speech, those rights were subjected to laws and those found flouting the law would be dealt with accordingly.
FLAGRANT DISREGARD OF POLICE WARNING
Strangely, some of these so-called doom pastors called the police warning a bluff and went ahead to make frivolous and deadly predictions and prophecies during their Watchnight church services and got away with it without being arrested.
The funnier prediction or prophecy came from that popular and controversial Ghanaian Prophet, Founder and Leader of the Prophetic Hill Chapel, Prophet Nigel Gaisie, who either for fear of being arrested or for some obvious reasons, used the village of Umuofia in the Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” novel to make his predictions and prophecies over what is bound to happen in Ghana this year. He likened Ghana to Umuofia and predicted the death of certain prominent personalities including a First Lady. Adopting an evasive style for his prophecies this year, Prophet Gaisie, aligned his prophecies with various countries geographically including a certain Umuofia and Uganda. Strikingly, there were similarities in his prophecies about Umuofia and Ghana.
PROPHET GAISIE’S DIRECT REFERENCE TO GHANA
Looking and evaluating critically the names of individuals, towns, institutions and activities of political parties, one can simply adduce that Prophet Gaisie, was directly referring to Ghana in his details about Umuofia. “I saw a heavy cloud of darkness covering the Head of State of Umuofia. Let’s take this prophecy very serious. I saw that his deputy is using ways to trigger his quick passing. I saw in the realm of the spirit that the shoe of a big man is being worn by the deputy. I saw in a nation of Umuofia that something that has happened there is about to re-occur,” he stated in one of his prophecies.
For the benefit of those who don’t know this controversial prophet, let me enlighten my readers and patrons with a brief background of Nigel Gaisie. This man, we are told, was born and raised in Ghana. He is one of the richest prophets in Ghana at the moment with a lot of properties, including mansions and plush vehicles. We are told that Prophet Gaisie is estimated to have a net worth of 10 billion dollars. He is married to a Ghanaian lady with two children. The behaviour of Prophet Gaisie in this instance can be regarded abuse of the law and must be condemned.
THE FEAR AND PANIC BEHAVIOUR OF OUR PASTORS AND PROPHETS
It is a fact that some of these so-called pastors with their own small churches are bent on causing fear and panic in this country through their actions and inactions. The way some of them are conducting themselves leaves much to be desired. Sometimes, it baffles to think of how they acquired their lincences to operate in this country. They use all kinds of occult and devilish means to dupe unsuspecting followers, promising them things they are not capable of doing.
CHASING THE RECALCITRANT PASTORS AND PROPHETS
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, which regulates the activities of these churches must be up to the task of monitoring the activities of these mushroom churches which are playing on the ignorance of the people and feeding fat on them by using sugar-coated religious messages to outwit their followers. Much as this country agrees to freedom of worship and association as enshrined in our 1992 Constitution, we must also make sure that churches whose activities and actions tend to undermine national security thereby creating fear and panic among the citizenry are proscribed.
This is the time for the Ghana Police Service under the able leadership of the energetic, young and hardworking Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, to move into action, arrest and prosecute these doom and selfish pastors, prophets and other so-called men of God who are bent on causing fear and panic in our dear nation.
This year must be full of action and nothing should stop us from moving the country to greater heights.
Contact email/WhatsApp of author:
0277753946/0248933366
By Charles Neequaye
Features
The Prophet part 2
“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any meaningful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.
I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embassies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.
Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”
Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.
There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.
“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offering. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.
He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suitable piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.
Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!
After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.
This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great surprise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any language, he could understand them.
Tomorrow there will be testimonies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘
He went to sleep smiling and whispering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’
He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.
Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testimonies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impotent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.
He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start making my selection, he told himself. Today!
“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his wonders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.
“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimonies, many more of you would like to testify.
Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consultations, after which I will give directions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most importantly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”
His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”
By Ekow de Heer
Features
Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives
The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.
He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and mentor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.
Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.
“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”
He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach programme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.
He cited testimony-sharing, mentorship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.
Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.
The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.
He, therefore, called for more volunteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.
Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornography, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.
That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and restore these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA
