6 KEYS TO DOING GREATER WORKS

6  KEYS TO DOING GREATER WORKS

Richard Obeng Mensah*

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me...Most Assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father...And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son..” – John 14:1, 12-14 (NKJ)

Always strive to diligently guard your HEART,

 against the turbulence of life because a troubled heart sabotages creativity, contentment, godliness, focus, hope, trust, determination and perseverance.

BELIEVE in God; BELIEVE in Jesus; and BELIEVE in yourself,

because God and His Son (Jesus Christ) are the authors and sustainers of greater works. You need to also believe in yourself because you can do all things (greater works) through Christ who strengthens you.

Endeavour to DO THE WORKS OF JESUS CHRIST,

your actions will breed greater works if you make Jesus the centre of your life and deeds.

Always seek to GLORIFY God,

by doing and completing the assignments (works) He has committed to your hands.

Always  ASK God, in the name of Jesus, to bless your good and godly works and enlarge them, for it is the blessings of God that makes one’s work great; not necessarily hard work.

Always walk in the consciousness of the fact that YOU HAVE BEEN FASHIONED BY GOD FOR GREATER WORKS, nothing more; nothing less.

*The writer is a certified life and leadership coach, a legal academic, and a prolific author of 7 books and over 200 articles. Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com                                                      

THE MOCKERY OF PARTISAN POLITICS IN GHANA

THE MOCKERY OF PARTISAN POLITICS IN GHANA

Richard Obeng Mensah*

My name is Partisan Politics

I have existed since creation, and before creation I was

I am a great asset to humankind, not a liability

Contrary to popular opinion, I am not a ‘dirty game’

I am a serious personality and wax great influence over the affairs of humankind

I have been mistaken for a ‘dirty game’ because godly people have allowed dirty political minded people to play their corrupt and wicked political cards in my name.

Some so-called political parties and politicians in Ghana have taken me for a ride

They always talk with the heart of nationalists but they wallow in acts of traitors

Their decisions primarily further their self-serving interests, never that of their nation

When they are in opposition they propagate my good virtues and values

But when they are in power they abandon those virtues and values, and act otherwise

And usually do and defend the indefensible until they lose their political power.

I hate every appearance of corruption

Most Ghanaian politicians see and condemn acts of corruption when in opposition

But these same politicians see nothing wrong with taking kickbacks when in power

They see nothing wrong in rewarding their cronies and so-called foot soldiers with sensitive public offices and sensitive national assignments as well as defending their wrong deeds

They shamelessly endorse and defend construction and purchase of multimillion dollar party headquarters and offices, and purchase of buses for their constituencies

There is nothing creative about abusing your office, and increasing tax through the back door

What is the source of the monies you use to finance your flamboyant campaigns?

What is the source of the monies you use to buy votes of delegates and some electorates?

 I am not surprised that you usually promise heaven but you eventually deliver hell

Stop repeating bad history; stop milking and killing your people; act sensibly and honestly!

*The writer is a certified life and leadership coach, a legal academic, and a prolific author of 7 books and over 200 articles. Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com                                                      

7 LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM A FRUITFUL TREE

7 LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM A FRUITFUL TREE

Richard Obeng Mensah

A fruitful tree has deep ROOTS,

which reveal its formative influences; factors that affect its growth;

and its hidden preparedness to withstand storms of life.

It is planted in a favourable GROUND (positive routines and attitudes),

which reveals its specific fertile location, character and strong foundation base.

A fruitful tree has a projected TRUNK (talents and skills),

understands that diligently developing and using one’s endowments brightens a great future.

It has several BRANCHES (aspirations, hopes, visions, significance and outlets),

which are always connected to its stem and use them to provide shade, shelter and food (fruits) for humankind and other creatures.

A fruitful tree has numerous LEAVES (support and allies),

it values lasting healthy relationships, networks and partnerships.

It greatly DEPENDS ON NATURE (sunshine, rainfall etc),

it understands that without God there is no guarantee for its lasting growth and fruitfulness.

A fruitful tree bears fruits in its SEASON,

it appreciates and applies the principles of great preparation, sowing and reaping, pruning and endurance,  and right timing!

 The writer is a certified life and leadership coach, a legal academic and a prolific author of 7 books and over 200 articles. Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com        

10 LESSONS FROM ANAS’ RECENT EXPOSÈ ON CORRUPTION

10 LESSONS FROM ANAS’ RECENT EXPOSÈ ON CORRUPTION

1. Every secret has an expiry date.

2. Greed is a major root cause of corruption.

3. Sin robs great people of their great strength and power.

4. No secret is absolutely secret; somebody knows something about it.

5. Indiscretion if not corrected will eventually debase and destroy a person.

6. A leader’s wrongful decision or impudence has the potential to collapse institutions and sabotage destinies.

7. Sin will always expose a person’s nakedness no matter how hard that person tries to cover or whitewash it.

8. Those who claim to be smart in wrong dealings eventually swallow their foolishness at a very high and painful cost.

9. Those who strive to be famous or wealthy or both through dishonesty and ungodly compromises will eventually achieve widespread disgrace, reproach, sorrow and punishment.

10. The best way to remedy wrongdoing is timely and genuine repentance; not justifying nor defending it because sin can never be justified nor defended.

                            Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Wisdom Thoughts                                                                           Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com                                                                                    Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

THE GOOD AND EVIL IN ANAS’ EXPOSÈ

THE GOOD AND EVIL IN ANAS’ EXPOSÈ

Bribery blights lives. Its immediate victims include firms that lose out unfairly. The wider victims are government and society, undermined by a weakened rule of law and damaged social and economic development. At stake is the principle of free and fair competition, which stands diminished by each bribe offered or accepted - Ministry of Justice (UK), The Bribery Act 2010 – Guidance, page 2.

Kentumi: Good to see you Anobil; it’s been a great while.

Anobil: I am glad to see you K; we haven’t seen each other for years.

Kentumi: Charlie, where have you been hiding nowadays, now that the cash is flowing?

Anobil: Where else K will your paddy be other than moving within and without Ghana for...

Kentumi: For corruption related conferences and workshops, I think.

Anobil: Your guess is spot on; I have a burning desire for eradication of corruption in Africa.

Kentumi: Hahaha....you’re still embarking on that your impossible mission.

Anobil: Come on K, be a bit optimistic. Nothing is impossible unless it is tolerated.

                                                                                                                                 

Kentumi: What is your take on Anas’ journalistic style?

Anobil: I have heared a great number of high and low profile people criticising him for clandestinely setting evil traps for people with the aim of naming, shaming and jailing them but I don’t share in their view. I think his work is filing a great gap in our quest to fight and uproot corruption. Those who water down serious allegations of corruption against them and shamelessly call for hard-core evidence are now having more than they can carry. How else can one prove corruption in a society where transparency is nearly a taboo?

Kentumi: But why should he go about recording people secretly without their permission?

Anobil: K, can you fault a fisherman who succeeds in catching a fish with a bait? You see the issue is not so much about the method one uses but the wanton and greedy craze of those devouring our resources. What is your take on a secret recording unfolding a plot to kill your only son, K? Do you think that information is relevant to prosecute the alleged evil rogues?

                                                                                             

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of right your writing                                                                   

Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com                                                                          

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

THE ‘DUMSOR’ CHRISTIANS

THE ‘DUMSOR’ CHRISTIANS

‘Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light that you may become the sons of light”’ –

John 12:35-36 (NKJV)

The term ‘dumsor’ has become very popular in Ghana in recent times. In a homely sense, it denotes erratic power (electricity) supply. It literally means ‘off and on’ power supply. There have been recurrent energy crisis and power blackouts in most parts of Africa in the last three decades despite the abundance of energy resources^[1] and power sector reforms on the continent.^[2] About 30 of the 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have suffered acute energy crises in recent years.^[3] This means that majority of the countries in the region “are struggling to keep the lights on.”^[4] Ghana, for instance, has had five major power crises since 1984^[5] despite several reforms in its power sector.^[6][7] Ghana is among the top 10 countries in the world that have experienced and continues to experience crippling load shedding.^[8] South Africa’s economy has also suffered over the past decade due to the lack of adequate electricity supply.^[9] One of the root causes of this unhealthy trend in Ghana and South Africa is the failure to invest in the power sector;^[10] more particularly investment in clean energy infrastructure.^[11] Likewise ‘dumsor’ in many parts of Africa, many Christians have become erratic in their walk with God. ‘Dumsor’ Christians usually wallow in darkness instead of walking in the Light.

Light and darkness are opposite forces and cannot co-exist. Although light can shine in the midst of darkness, the latter cannot easily operate wherever light reigns. This implies that anything that is erratic in nature and usually operates in light and darkness at different times cannot be trusted and relied on. Biblically, darkness connotes sin, disorder, falsehood, ignorance, corruption, evil and wickedness while light represents truth, transparency, transformation, glory and progress.  More generally, light in the Bible relates to the personality and nature of Jesus. A person who walks in the light (lives and believes in Jesus) ought not to walk in darkness but that person must always strive to walk in the light. Like mature Christians, people who always walk in the light are trustworthy and have a clear sense of direction for their lives. Such persons know their God-given purpose and seek to fulfil them by always walking with God and depending on Him.

Christians are the light of the world. Sadly, however, many Christians allow darkness to overtake them. They allow darkness to overshadow their lives due to lack of sustainable investment in their relationship with their Lord and Saviour (Jesus). Their Bible study, prayer, fellowship, giving, evangelistic and discipleship lives are so erratic that sometimes others find it difficult to consider them as real Christians. They usually read the Bible only during church services; they only make quality time for prayers when in crisis or anxious to meet a great need; their feelings dictate whether or not they should attend church services and fellowship meetings; they have wrong mindset about paying tithes and giving offerings although they may be faithful in paying taxes; and they relegate and denigrate the need to prioritize evangelism, visitations and discipleship in their walk with God. Are you a ‘dumsor’ Christian or a son of the Light?

                             Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Daily Wisdom                                                                                   Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com                                                                                       Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com.

---

[1] Africa Progress Panel, Power People Planet Seizing Africa’s Energy and Climate Opportunities: Africa Progress Report 2015 (Africa Progress Panel 2015).

[2] International Monetary Fund, ‘Regional Economic Outlook: Sub-Saharan Africa’ <https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/reo/2008/AFR/eng/sreo0408.pdf> accessed 10 March 2018.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Louis Schoeman, ‘Top 10 Countries That Have Experienced and Continue to Experienced Crippling Load Shedding’ (Power Plant, 15 May 2015) <ww.powerplanet.co.za/blog/top-10-countries-that-have-experienced-and-continue-to-experience-crippling-load-shedding> accessed 1 March 2018.

[5] Paul Adjei Kwakwa, ‘Energy-Growth Nexus and Energy Demand in Ghana: A Review of Empirical Studies’ (2014) 1 Applied Research Journal 28.

[6] Ishmael Edjekumhene e’ta, ‘Preventing and Enhancing Public Benefits under Power Sector Reforms: The Case of Ghana’ [2001] Energy for Sustainable Development 39.

[7] Ishmael Edjekumhene, Martin Bawa Amadu, Abeeku Brew-Hammond, ‘Power Sector Reform in Ghana: The Untold Story’ <http://www.wri.org/sites/default/files/powerpolitics_ghana.pdf> accessed 13 June 2016.

[8] Schoeman (n 4).

[9] Jessica A. Bohlmann, Heinrich R. Bohlman, Roula Inglesi-Lotz, ‘An Economy-Wide Evaluation of New Power Generation in South Africa: The Case of Kusile and Medupi’ (2015) University of Pretoria Working Paper: 2015-40 <http://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/61/WP/wp_2015_40.zp58417.pdf> accessed 13 June 2016.

[10] Kapika and Eberhard (n 5).

[11] International Monetary Fund (n 2).

THE MOCKERY OF ‘DUMSOR’ IN GHANA

THE MOCKERY OF ‘DUMSOR’ IN GHANA

My name is Light

I have existed since creation

At creation God invited me because He saw me as a valuable asset

In addition to calling me by name He created the sun, moon and stars to enhance His creation

His word and His only begotten Son is presently associated with my name

My name will be connected to His manifested presence in the New Heaven and New Earth.

I am an indispensable commodity to every generation and to any nation

Those who despise my significance and influence will wallow in utter darkness

I have power and authority over darkness and I am always needed by those who treasure me

I am accessible, reliable and affordable to nations and people who sufficiently invest in me.

I am popularly known as ‘Dumsor’ in Ghana

Most Ghanaians call me by that name because they think I am erratic in power supply

But that is not my nature rather I have been forced to behave as such in Ghana since 1984

Ghanaian leaders have reduced me to a mere political tool and trumpet for decades

Many other nations who treasure my presence and invest in me consistently have found me to be very accessible, reliable and affordable.

For how long will Ghanaians continue to regard me as ‘Dumsor’

Oh for how long will Ghanaian leaders tolerate darkness and play politics with it

Your precious lives are being lost, your businesses are collapsing, and your growth is staled

You need a more comprehensive Energy Action Plan; you need sustainable investment in sound energy infrastructure

Stop calling me ‘dumsor’, stop playing politics with me, treasure me and do the needful!

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of right your writing                                                                

Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com                                                                  

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/obeng.m.richard?_rdc=1&_rdr