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Do not be too trusting

 An incident occurred over 18 years ago that came to mind as I was thinking about what to write for this weekend. This life could be tricky at times and calamity can strike without warning.

It is therefore prudent for people to take the advice of the Bible as given by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ according to Matthew 10:16 “…be ye therefore wise as serpents…” (KJV). Just like the Bible admonishes that a man’s enemy is a member of his family, one can never be too careful.

If you think the good news or promotion or good for­tune that has come your way, makes everybody happy, then you are very wrong. The peo­ple who can cause you harm are those you least suspect because they are often so close to you which therefore dulls your sense of alertness that danger is lurking around.

A very useful example is a former deputy minister who lost her appointment be­cause her own cousin who she had employed as her driver, betrayed her by recording her conversation and leaking it. In the presence of a person close to you, you will not entertain any fear and will communi­cate freely without a thought.

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The story of highlife musi­cians in this country can never be complete without men­tioning the name of Daasebre Dwamenah. In fact his music had a unique style and was melodious such that if you are not careful, you might be tempted to dance to it while walking along the street.

What happened to him in 2006 is something that ev­erybody must take lessons from. That incident sent him to prison and it was so sad and so painful. Daasebre was going for a musical show in the UK and when he was going through customs on arrival at Heathrow Airport, he was arrested for drug trafficking because Cocaine was found hidden in his bag.

That was a shocker because he had no idea how that sub­stance got into his travelling bag. He was sent to prison custody in the UK to await prosecution. This incident really affected him because it threw all his plans into disarray.

Fortunately for him, after about 9 or 11 months in prison his lawyer was able to get the judge to free him.

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Interviews he granted after his release from prison and his return to Ghana clearly showed that he was framed up by a close friend. People indeed can be wicked and so we need to be watchful and alert.

It really showed that this world is indeed a dark place and people we consider as friends or close relations could be wolves in sheep­skins. Apparently the illegal substance or illicit drug was placed in the bag by the friend while preparation was being made by Daasebre to­wards the journey.

According to the renowned highlife musician, the friend was involved in his prepara­tion and so had unfettered access to his suitcase. It can be surmised that it was during this period that the drug was inserted into the suitcase.

One thing in this world that gives some comfort or to be precise consolation when people wrong us is natural retribution which some people call the law of Karma. The guy who most people who had knowledge of the circum­stances surrounding how the mysterious parcel containing the cocaine got into Daas­ebre’s bag suspects as the culprit, has recently passed away.

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If the traditional belief that in the life hereafter those who have already taken the lead receives new comers and ask them what brought them there, then Daasebre who de­parted from this life in 2016, will have a chance to exact some vengeance on him.

People forget that whatever we do on this earth there will be a day of accountability. Again whatever we acquire, we shall one day leave every­thing behind.

Let us not be too trusting otherwise we could

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The Prophet part 2

Some young men queing for visas
Some young men queing for visas

“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.

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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!

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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!’

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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.

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“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

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Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives

• Members of the Full Gospel Businness Fellowship
• Members of the Full Gospel Businness Fellowship

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.

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“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.

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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

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