Features
WHEN GHANA STOOPED LOW!
Democracy is a profound word with a sound meaning that reflects the will and aspirations of people in a nation. It is a political system that allows people to select their governments by voting for them in elections.
Simply put, it is the best option of governance because the citizens have their representations in government unlike military rule with dire consequences of dictatorship.
Nations, including the United States of America (USA), Germany, United Kingdom, France and a host of others that have adopted democratic system of governance can attest to the fact that it is a smooth system governed by constitution instead of decrees under military dictatorship. They have strengthened and advanced their economies through this system of governance.
Our country, Ghana, is no exception to a democratic system of governance for many years when it freed itself from military dictatorship which sent the nation backwards.
We are in our Fourth Republic and systematically the country is trying to build on its structures so that we can rub shoulders with nations that have taken the lead in building their economies through the democratic system of governance.
It appears that in recent times, choosing our leaders under this system, for selfish or obvious reasons, is creating problems for us as it has generated a lot of anxiety with a resultant tension in the country, especially among the citizens.
The recent elections in the country which saw the incumbent President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo of the New Patriotic Party, emerge the winner, to lead the people for his last term of four years has, indeed, heightened tension in the country.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by its leader, John Dramani Mahama, is opposed to the victory of President Akufo-Addo, describing the election as a stolen verdict and, therefore, he is in court challenging the outcome of the presidential election. Rightly so, that is what the constitution prescribes and Mr Mahama is entitled to the path he has chosen to seek redress for his grievances.
While the case is pending before the court, it will be a breach if the conditions under the constitution are not followed to the letter to form a government duly sworn-in to administer the affairs of the nation, hence the swearing-in of the President-elect, Nana Akufo-Addo, the Speaker and members of Parliament to steer the affairs of the country.
The drama and nasty incidents that took place during the election of the Speaker is worth noting and condemnable by every right thinking Ghanaian. Of course, we have been witnessing rowdy situations in many parliaments within nations across the globe, but not to this extent where honourables who are expected to exhibit exemplary qualities to their electorate would stoop so low by showing qualities that made the people to question their legibility in governance and whether they deserve to be called honourables.
Parliamentary rules were abused and thrown to the dogs as matured men and women elected to serve their constituents behaved in a “childish” and awkward manner. We can forgive them for the sitting arrangement of MPs which was flouted because both parties -the NPP and NDC, claimed they obtained the same margin of 137-137 seats of MPs elected and, therefore, any of them could sit where they preferred.
However, the voting of a Speaker with its attendant disturbances of kicking ballot boxes, heckling of the Clerk of Parliament and snatching of some ballot papers by an MP were unheard of in the history of Ghana’s democratic dispensation and should be condemned outright.
How could an MP harbour the notion of snatching ballot papers from officials when they were being counted and bolted with them? In fact, it was the Chamber of Parliament that saved the situation, otherwise it would have been disastrous and bloody if that episode happened at the forecourt or anywhere outside the parliament house.
The invasion of military personnel inside the Chamber was another matter to be considered in the future. Thank God no casualty was recorded whatsoever but that was a matter worth recording for history.
The drama has ended and the constitutional requirements have been fulfilled for the nation to move forward while the substantive case of challenging the presidential result is before court waiting for determination so that the right thing would be done for peace to prevail in the country.
All that the millions of Ghanaians are wishing for is that, this shameful spectacle which seemed to have dented our image in the international arena and has made the outside world to harbour the feeling that our nation would not be safe for business and other transactions, should be rectified within the shortest possible time.
It is also important to establish a consensus building in parliament where the two parties can relate effectively between each other so that the business of the house can be run smoothly in order not to retard the nation’s progress. This is exactly so because of the circumstances surrounding the election of the Speaker from the opposition NDC.
While Ghanaians wait patiently for the outcome of the election petition in court, it will be advisable for absolute peace to prevail in the country.
This is the only dear country we have and should there be any war, God forbid, we would perish in our entirety; therefore, we need to tolerate one another in order to preserve the nation’s peace and restore its original status as the beacon of democracy.
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
