Features
Misplaced priority: The bane of Ghana
When I started studying journalism, the very first essay I wrote was titled: Misplaced priority. The English lecturer just gave the students the liberty to choose any topic and write about it.
For some of the students, that freedom meant “anything goes.” So, they took the easy way out and wrote on things that had no bearing on journalism, such as: The food I like best. At that level? Yes! I know it because we were made to exchange scripts and read someone else’s essay.
As I pondered what to write about, my instincts nudged me that the lecturer wanted to test how journalistically inclined the students were, and so the assignment must be about universal issues common to humanity.
So, I reflected on the ills in the society and I was surprised at the degree to which priorities were misplaced by all– students, mothers, fathers, governments, churches, and what-have-you.
At the time of the assignment, President Hophouet Boigny of La Cote d’Ivoire was building a miniature model of Rome’s cathedral, that is, St. Peter’s Basilica in Yamoussoukro while his people had a shortfall in affordable housing as well as other critical needs. I saw it as a misplaced priority.
I observed also that as students got their loans for books and other logistics, the first place they headed for was the cafeteria. What for? You see, hard times had deprived many of them of the ability to drink a bottle of beer or two.
So, when they got the money, it was time to get even; it was time to revenge against the system for “making them unable to enjoy small.” Before they realised it, the one or two bottles had moved into overdrive. The party must go on, and it did with everything in the mix – khebab of all types: guinea fowl, beef, and goat meat at the expense of what the money was meant for. Misplaced priority, indeed!
My reflection also brought to mind the imprudent behaviour of some fathers who tarried long at the bottle daily, enjoying a cocktail of drinks with friends while their children’s fees were in arrears. Their personal enjoyment and comfort seemed to be more important than their children’s education. Misplaced priority!
What about women who, in spite of the dire circumstances of their families, and the need to cut their coat according to their size, insist on a new cloth for every funeral to be abreast of the times? I wondered if that was really necessary while the family budget was always under some form of constraint. I saw that as a misplaced priority.
My attention drifted to contractors and how most of them used their mobilisation fee which at the time, was given to them, to, as it were, mobilise some equipment and logistics for the work to begin in earnest.
Instead, many of them opted to buy the latest Mercedes Benz or BMW to flaunt their opulence around their areas of conquest. How could you hire the necessary equipment for the work? Why not finish the work, get the big bucks, and then do all the somersaulting you desire to do? Misplaced priority!
Before long, I had a long list of examples to write about and concluded that the bane of Africa’s development was misplaced priority. That was several decades ago. And to our big shame, it still is.
Accra and other parts of the country have been flooding from Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s time six decades ago, leading to loss of precious lives and extensive damage to property, and no government deems the problem huge enough to be accorded priority status in our development plan. At best, it is ad hoc measures, and they are not paying off.
One word that Ghana used to describe itself was “unprecedented.” Until Egypt, Nigeria, and Cameroun either overtook us in the trophy haul of the Africa Cup of Nations, or equaled our tally, we prided ourselves as the unprecedented four-time champions. Now, Egypt has way overtaken us and got seven, while Nigeria and Cameroun are at par with us.
We have relinquished the title in football but when it comes to flooding, Ghana now seems to be unprecedented leaders in how to maintain the status quo. This is what I call trailblazing in reverse. The Akans would say, “Adikan bedi akyire” meaning “The first shall be last.”
A country that was seen as the beacon of hope for other African countries, has now been overtaken by novices like Rwanda in terms of implementing development targets.
Last Saturday, May 21 2022, this fact was brought to the fore. The rains descended heavily on Accra and its environs, and as expected, huge swathes of land were flooded once again, a ritual that has become the rule rather than the exception.
Various media outlets corroborated one another’s coverage of the disaster with similar reports that the areas worst affected were Kaneshie Lorry Station precincts, the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, Adabraka, North Kaneshie, Alajo, Tema, and Kasoa.
Homes were submerged and valuable property destroyed, including documents and computers at the head office of the Lands Commission as well as the State Transport Company
Vehicular traffic was impeded by the flood at some locations as the overflow gushed through major roads and highways, causing a major gridlock, especially, at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, and bringing business to a halt in many places.
In the hardest hit areas, residents had no option but to evacuate their homes to seek refuge on higher ground elsewhere, including homes of friends, relatives, and just anywhere they could find shelter.
Even residents of areas like Adenta, Teshie, Nungua, Madina, and Spintex, which did not flood, had to grapple with currents of the surge from the drains that had brimmed over.
A timely warning by the Ghana Meteorological Agency and the Ghana Police Service served to avoid serious casualties. The public safety tips by the police for people to avoid certain areas proved particularly helpful.
Years back, a female medical officer tragically lost her life along the La Beach-Kpheshie Lagoon Road towards Teshie/Nungua stretch during a similar downpour as she was sadly swept off while driving.
Social media platforms were awash with videos, still pictures of the flood as well as comments about what government is doing about the situation and when Ghanaians will be free from this torment.
The government cannot pretend to be ignorant about how to solve the problem. And everybody knows that people have built unauthorised structures over waterways, preventing the free flow of water when it rains.
And these structures are still springing forth left and right as if there were no regulating authorities to oversee development planning. What are the assemblies doing? What is the central government doing? What is the problem? Is it lack of political will? Definitely! Is it misplaced priority? Of course!
For the sake of political gain, government after government has turned a blind eye to this crime, fearing that they would lose votes if they demolished such unauthorised structures.
Given the inaction of the authorities, the encroachers have concluded, and rightly so, that the government is just a toothless bulldog. It barks on end without ever biting. Consequently, they have been emboldened to continue their trespass with impunity without fear of retribution.
The solution is simple, and the authorities know it. Show some steel. Flex your strong muscle. Use all the arms of government – the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Legislature to do the right thing. And that is, demolish, demolish, demolish!
If the perennial problem of flooding in Ghana, especially in Accra, does not deserve to be accorded priority in our national development agenda, what other problem qualifies for premium attention? If this albatross is not removed from our neck, it will sink us like lead dropping to the bottom of the sea.
The police warning explained that the flood in certain areas was caused by the high level of the Odaw River which is dredged periodically. So, what shall it profit the nation if we dredge the lagoons and desilt the drains without tackling the root causes of the problem?
That is putting the cart before the horse. Unless we do the first things first, all the dredging and desilting would amount to nothing. They would just be an unnecessary dissipation of our scarce resources.
Apart from demolition, the government must ban plastic bags. They are non-biodegradable and are disposed of indiscriminately into drains, on the ground, and just anywhere. When it rains, they choke the drains and cause them to overflow and spill into the streets, leaving in their wake a huge trail of garbage.
Parliament and the assemblies must enact laws that impose heavy sanctions on people who dump garbage anyhow, especially plastics. That would stem the tide initially. Then, draining would work; then the demolitions would finish the job. Stop barking and bite.
Contact: teepeejubilee@yahoo.co.uk
By Tony Prempeh
Features
The Prophet part 4
Antobam woke up with a terrible headache. He checked the time on his mobile phone, 2:30 am. “What! Where is the money?” He asked aloud. “Where are those girls? Why did I drink so much of that whisky? What were those two girls up to?” He sat up on the bed and noticed a bulge close to the pillow.
He lifted the mattress and picked up the newspaper wrappers with the neatly arranged notes. He saw the neatly written record of the value of the notes. No, those girls are not thieves.
“It was my mistake. If I hadn’t drank myself to sleep they would be here in bed with me, giving me the time of my life. Pretty girls, those two. And so loyal and honest. Tomorrow will be different.”
“I will not drink any whisky, and I will show them that I am a real man. Just then he heard the whispers. Very soon it will be time, they seemed to be saying. This is an important day.”
The gold dealer will bring lots of money. Give him some of the liquid to drink, and we will prepare him. He will do very big business, and he will give you anything you ask for. There will be more miracles and testimonies today.
Antobam smiled to himself. “I am going to be a very rich man in only a few days man. Money, power, and women. Wow! Antobam got to the grounds at 5, but there were quite a number of people waiting.
Mr Kwame Dofu was among them. He greeted them all, and they came around to shake his hand. “My brothers and sisters, I assure you that whatever your problem is, you will not go home without a solution.” Shouts of “Amen” “thank” you Osofo and “you are a true man of God” responded.
“Please take your seats, and start talking to the great one about whatever bothers you. Before the service is over, there will be a solution.” He waved Mr Dofu over, and went with him to the wooden structure that serves as a temporary office.
“My brother, I have done quite a lot of work on the issue you came to see me about. I have prepared a special, powerful package for you. Take this, drink it, and go back to your business. I want to see you in two weeks.”
Beaming with smiles, Mr Dofu drank the foul smelling liquid in two gulps, said a big thank you to Antobam and took his leave. “I believe you, Papa Osofo. And I assure you that I will reward you, big time.”
Just when Osofo Antubam finished with Mr Dofu, Mary and Suzzie went over to him. “Good Morning ladies. I am very sorry about yesterday. I drank too much of the stuff you gave me. Today will be different, I assure you.”
“Don’t worry, Osofo. Since you are now setting things up, our main concern now is to help you to put things in place, and to make you comfortable. We are always there to serve you. This morning, Osofo, we want to go and clean up your place, and prepare something nice for you when you close.
And before coming to church, we will pass by the bank and collect the forms. After you have signed them, the account will be open. You can check the payments anytime and, of course, issue cheques whenever you need money.”
“Suzzie and Mary, I am happy I picked the two of you from the very start. Listen, I will take good care of you, okay? Here is some money. Buy whatever you need for the errands you have mentioned.
And here is the key. Please come back as early as you can. You know I need you here.” The service was very lively. The lively singing of praise songs was followed by one and a half hours of testimonies.
Most of them related to money – big sales, new jobs and overdue debts paid. But there were also testimonies about healing. Barren women had taken seed, and, of course, several men who had lost their bedroom authority had regained them, to the delight of their partners.
As he had promised, Antobam preached for only 30 minutes, exhorting the congregation to attend church regularly, pay their tithes and offerings, and strictly follow his ‘directions’ for securing solutions to their problems.
After another round of praises during which the congregation danced to the floor to drop their offering, he closed the service, grabbed the big bowl which was full to the brim with money, and moved to his desk. A long queue was quickly formed at the desk.
Meanwhile, Mary and Suzzie had gone to give Antobam’s place quite a decent look. A new bedsheet and pillows, a secondhand carpet and four plastic chairs placed in the verandah had done the trick.
They also prepared two fish and chicken stews. After all these, they rushed to the National Savings Bank and collected application forms for opening current and savings accounts.
They joined the service a few minutes before the main session closed. Antobam looked round and saw, to his relief, Mary and Suzzie moving towards him. “Hello ladies. What have you been up to?” “Quite a bit, Osofo. We’ve just collected your drink. Here you are. We’ve made a few changes at your place. I think you will like it. You will also have something nice to eat. Now, here are the forms for the savings and current accounts.
If you will sign them, the bank will open the account. From today, we can pay all monies direct into the account.” ‘How can I thank you, ladies?” “You don’t need to thank us,” Suzzie said. “It is our duty to help a man of God succeed.” “Okay, my ladies, please take the offerings and count them as you did yesterday.
You can add the payments made after the consultations. Will it be possible to pay them into the account today?” “Yes,” Mary said. “The bank closes at four. If we leave here at three, we would be there just in time.”
The two friends started counting, as Osofo Antobam gave his clients his directions for solving their problems. On quite a few occasions he closed his eyes as if he was receiving direction from above on what to do.
But as the fetish priest at the Nana Kofi Broni shrine and the dwarfs had assured him, the solutions would certainly be provided. Having heard the huge testimonies earlier in the day, the clients parted with substantial sums of money in expectation.
By Ekow de Heer
Features
The issue of spiritual father in our churches
A student was supposed to go to school as the natural cause of events should be when universities or schools in general opens but this was not the case in a certain young man’s life.
He decided to postpone his trip because apparently he could not get to meet his pastor, his spiritual father. The question is, should this spiritual father die, will the young man’s life come to an end?
Does it mean in such an instance, he is going to curtail his education? This is a worrying trend in a lot of churches where the pastors use this notion of spiritual father to manipulate members especially the youth.
Some unscrupulous pastors utilise this spiritual father concept to have affairs with gullible young ladies in their churches.
Now with homosexuality gradually making inroads into some of the churches, young men are becoming vulnerable to pastors who have hidden homosexual inclinations.
This spiritual father concept is a Biblical concept that runs through both the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. We see it in 2 Kings 4:12 where Gehazi is serving Elisha and also in the New Testament we see Paul relating to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:2 as a Spiritual Father.
In fact, the concept of spiritual father is a good thing if executed according to the word of God since it helps in guiding the younger ones. However, it becomes problematic when it is being executed by unscrupulous wolves in sheepskins as described by Jesus in Mathew 7:15.
I see it as a way that these unscrupulous so-called men of God maintain their hold on the congregants so they do not question their unchristian actions.
One of the things I have observed since I got born again many years ago is that, any pastor who often insists that members recognise that he is their spiritual father is a warning sign that he is doing some wrong things or is about to indulge in some wrong things.
A parent complained about how his daughter was being influenced by a pastor of the church she attends and how worried he was. I am sure there are many parents out there with stories to tell about how their wards are being made to see their pastors almost like their Jesus.
These pastors have managed to make their congregants so loyal to them and to believe in them so much that it is terrifying, as a parent.
The way things are going, an immediate intervention is required otherwise I am not a prophet of doom but I forsee unfortunate instances where parents burst into church auditoriums and star shooting some Pastors out of frustration and anger.
We cannot look on unconcerned as a society and allow unscrupulous fraudsters using the name of God to create problems for families. My recommendation is for a certain amount of regulation in order to bring some sanity in religious practices.
I agree that ordinarily regulating religious practices makes it a bit restrictive in terms of freedom of worship as enshrined in our constitution but given the way things are going, a bit of regulation will not be out of place.
Disgusting stuff are being attributed to some men of God. There are cases of manipulation of young ladies and sometimes married women by so called men of God and it is bringing Christianity and therefore the name of the Lord into disrepute.
Christianity is gradually losing its attractiveness as a result of the negative reportage resulting from disgusting stuff happening in Christian circles. The way some pastors have been manipulating congregants to take money from them leaves much to be desired to the point where they are convincing some of the youth to give out their phones. May God help us.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
