General Overseer of the ICGC, Pastor Mensa Otabil
The end of the year is a good time for reflection.
Last week, the General Overseer of the ICGC, Pastor Mensa Otabil called Ghanaians out. He stated, during his Church’s “Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh night” that ” One of the challenges we have as Ghanaians or as a nation is that we always think that government must solve our problems; we lack private enterprise, companies actively addressing community issues because we perceive the government as the sole problem solver” Seriously, Pastor?
Now, before I deal with the issues raised by the venerable leader, let me confess that until the Capital Bank issue, I used to be an ardent admirer of Pastor Otabil for his Ministry and exemplary citizenship. While the admiration has dimmed, respect endures.
Is it really true that we expect government to solve our problems? In response to dry pipes and no water, we dig wells– in response to bad schools, we send our kids to private schools–in response to bad roads those who can buy SUVs and we look to government to solve our problems? Indeed, it is the considered opinion of many patriots that we privatize too many public issues and thus abdicate our responsibility to apply pressure that would lead to responsible, responsive, and accountable governance.
Actually, even if one concedes, for the sake of argument, Pastor Otabil’s argument for Ghanaians to step forward, we have stepped forward repeatedly only to be knocked back by our own government.
Kowus, Boakye mattress, Apino, Apenteng and Sarfo Adu, to mention only a few, stepped forward and might have rivaled Dangote or Moh Ibrahim but were knocked back by vindictive governments. Even in this fourth Republic, there are contractors and bankers who can attest to the fact that a party card and connections to a certain Mafia matters more than competence. Ask Kofi Amoabeng.
As for those in government and those who urge the masses to do more, whenever they need or want something, they shamelessly help themselves to it at public expense. When they are sick–or want scholarships for fancy degrees, empty national coffers become irrelevant.
And by the way, governments around the world developed Covid vaccines for their citizens and gave it to them freely!
If we could solve our problems, why would we need governments?
Ultimately, there is a moral case for saving the life of a new mother bleeding to death after delivery or dialysis patients dying for lack of supplies– while our government blows millions of dollars on a useless Cathedral or sending hundreds of delegates to a climate conference while permitting Galamsey to desecrate Ghana. That argument is simply that they are part owners of our gold and diamond and timber and oil and lithium. In addition to that, they are, taflatse, God’s children too!
“WHATEVER YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF THESE, THAT YOU DO UNTO ME” That, my friends is what the good book says. Let the faithful say, “Amen”!
It is reassuring that in the end Pastor Otabil conceded that ” government must solve problems and when they fail, we must hold them accountable “.
Respectfully, in the struggle between God’s people and kleptocratic, corrupt governments, the men of God should speak for the people instead of down to them.
They can start by calling out the government for building a Cathedral to glorify the God who lives in us while his children die from want of Healthcare.
This year, my prayer is that men and women of God, will call us to righteousness.
As Isaiah 1:4 states, “Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great– a brood of evil doers, children given to corruption. “
Let our religious leaders call out our nation wreckers!
May God bless Ghana!
Aluta Continua!
Arthur Kobina Kennedy
28th December, 2023.