Features
Campaign for Kofi Baako
Recently for about two weeks or more, the world’s attention was focused on France because of the Olympic Games. Men and women in various sports discipline were in France striving to excel in their individual sporting discipline to win medals for themselves and their nation.
One can see clearly the expression of joy on the faces of medal winners as they stood on the podium, especially of the gold medal winners with their national anthems being played.
A certain athlete from Botswana recently won the Olympic 200m race and he was given a resounding welcome literally by the whole nation. The President of Botswana declared a national holiday on account of this gentleman’s achievement of the Olympics.
It is said that a country that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for and I believe that was the rationale behind such an honour and also for it to serve as a motivation for others to emulate to die for the nation.
This brings to mind a man called Kofi Baako of blessed memory, who used to be a minister and a trusted confidante of late President Kwame Nkrumah.
There has been a lot of talk in recent times about the need for patriotism among Ghanaians but patriotism is not an item on a supermarket shelf.
It is something that comes from a deliberate environment created by the nation for individual members of society to feel that the nation really cares about them. This, then generates in them a sense of indebtedness to the nation so they are motivated to as it were, strive to do something in return, ostensibly to repay the nation.
The flag of the nation then becomes an important symbol in the lives of the citizens of the nation and they then become citizens and not spectators in every aspect of the nation’s life.
If the nation treats its citizens well, the younger ones see the relevance in being patriotic and therefore putting the national interest first above personal and usually selfish interest.
Mr Kofi Baako as I hinted earlier was the Minister for Defence during the First Republic under President Nkrumah. Historical records show that he was authorised by President Nkrumah to negotiate for the purchase of an aircraft for the country in the UK.
In the course of the negotiations, he was offered a bribe of either one million Pounds or 10 million pounds but refused to accept it. There was a public declaration by revered journalist Kwaku Baako, who happens to be the son of Kofi Baako, that his father wrote a letter to President Nkrumah informing him of the attempted bribery.
This is a clear example of what patriotism looks like. When the Nkrumah government was overthrown by Kotoka et al, this nobleman was sadly imprisoned and his property was sold to the public. How can such an action perpetrated against such a man motivate young people to be patriotic?
That is why I loathe coups and coup plotters. They always accuse the people they overthrow but they do worse things when they come into power.
A very befitting honour this nation called Ghana, in my opinion can give to Kofi Baako is to immortalise his name by naming the Kotoka International Airport after him.
Kotoka must be replaced with Kofi Baako so that the youth on seeing and hearing about it, would be motivated by the rationale behind it, to also emulate his patriotic action which will help in the fight against corruption.
I believe this public honour although posthumously, will make a very lasting and considerable impact on the fight against corruption. It will also send a clear message to all and sundry that coups are not acceptable in our governance architecture. May God bless the descendants of this remarkable patriotic citizen.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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
