GHANA IN THE BELLY OF THE WHALE OF CORRUPTION

GHANA IN THE BELLY OF THE WHALE OF CORRUPTION

Corruption is a popular marketable political commodity in Ghana. Political parties in opposition are especially more vociferous about alleged acts of corruption by some elements of the ruling government. While political parties in opposition usually appear to be saints and also offer practical solutions for corruption; ruling governments usually water-down allegations of corruption and also offer political rhetorical solutions for dealing with the canker.

Sadly, both ruling governments and political parties in opposition mostly seek to score political points in terms of efforts against corruption which none of them is better in relation to the canker. Usually, one political party touts itself as being the lesser evil when it comes to corruption but there is no good in evil. There is no wisdom in choosing between two evils since both greater and lesser evils will eventually breed evil outcomes.

Ghana’s performance in the fight against corruption in the last decade has been abysmal. According to the Transparency International’s January 2024 report, Ghana’s performance within the last four (4) years on the global Corruption Perception Index (CPI)  is 0%. Despite a number of political rhetorics in the fight against corruption by the ruling NPP Government, the output of the government is within the margins of 0% and is the worst performance compared to the state of affairs or the prevailing trend in or before 2015..

Like the Biblical Jonah, Ghana has been swallowed by the Whale of Corruption. There is the need for genuine repentance from the high to the low places in Ghana. Corruption is rife in the country because it is tolerated and sometimes even ‘honoured’. The canker has become an attractive instrument for securing political power, facilitating the performance of some public services, securing admission into educational institutions, securing employment and so forth. It, for instance, appears partisan politics has become so attractive in Ghana because of the incidence of corruption associated with it. Why should some political elements or government officials suddenly become affluent only when their political party is in power?

To get out of the belly of the whale of corruption in Ghana, the country needs to adopt more sincere and pragmatic steps. We must move from turning a blind eye to the evils of corruption to blowing the necessary whistles in relation to the canker. Whistle blowers of alleged corrupt acts, which eventually turn out to be true, must also be celebrated,  honoured and protected by the Government of Ghana.

Besides, ruling governments must demonstrate by their actions and inactions that occupying public positions is not a business avenue for embezzling public funds. Governments in power must also be seen to be honestly supporting anti-corruption institutions in their fight against corruption and related offences.

Moreover, the legal regime on corruption should move from being toothless bull-dogs, especially when it comes to politically exposed persons, to wild-bitting dogs which seek to devour all players of corruption. 

Furthermore, the Government of Ghana should prfioritize the passage of a law that seeks to regulate the Conduct of Public Officers in relation to corruption and related matters. Ghana should also be intentional in creating a legal culture which will require people suspected of corruption to explain the source of their wealth in a satisfactory manner with robust evidence or risk criminal sanctions such as confiscation of assets, imprisonment, removal from public office or punitive fines.

The justice system should be reformed or enhanced to ensure speedy prosecution of corruption-related offences or corruption-related cases. Ghana should also consider empowering its citizens to initiate civil actions against public officers involved in alleged corrupt acts, and such officers should be required to prove their innocence after a prima facie evidence (sufficient at first impression) has been established against them.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author  of Daily Wisdom. The writer is an award-winning prolific author of 8 books and over 250 articles on legal and non-legal themes. He is also a pastor, lawyer, law lecturer, certified life and leadership coach and a blogger.

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

Mobile: +233 (0)246 556 774.

Publication History

Authored on 31/01/2024 and published on 31/01/2024 on the author’s blog and other social media platforms.

Acknowledgement

The author appreciates the critiques and valuable comments of his Editorial Team to this write-up.

A CONTROVERSIAL JESUS?

A CONTROVERSIAL JESUS?

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega.
He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
He is the Light that was called upon by God at creation to bring life to the earth.
God created all things through Him.
He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can go to God except through Him.
His life is the light of all mankind.
He is the light of this world.
His light always shines in the darkness and darkness cannot overcome it.
He is the Lamb that was crucified before the foundations of the earth.
It is by His blood and word of testimony that evil is overcome.


But is He the Son of God and does God have a son?
But for sin, all human beings are children of God.
Because of sin, a person can now only become a child of God after believing in and receiving Jesus Christ as that person’s  Lord and Saviour.
As the first born over all creation and the firstborn among the dead, Jesus has supremacy over everything.
Jesus is the promised child of God who was born and given as a Son.
He is the only begotten Son of God, given to this world for its salvation.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He became flesh and made His dwelling among humanity as the God with us (Immanuel).

If He is the only begotten Son of God how come He is referred to as God?
The prophecies about His birth foretold that He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Immanuel (God with us) and Jesus.
He and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are one in nature and purpose but with distinct personalities and functions.
Jesus is the visible image and the exact likeness of the invisible God.
God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Jesus.
The Holy Spirit accomplishes the unified will of God the Father and God the Son.
Jesus is also the very words of the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is also the wisdom and power of the Godhead.
Jesus is the ultimate revelation behind the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

 
If Jesus is God how come He died?
Jesus’s only purpose when He was on this earth was to save the people of this world from sin.
Although He is God and sinless, He took upon Himself the very form of a servant to save us from our sins through His death on the cross.
He is the only sacrificial Lamb whose atoning blood is capable of forgiving sin, because He is sinless.
Because He is God, the spirit of death could not hold Him captive.
He was Lord even while in the grave.
Although He died and was buried, He resurrected on the third day and is alive forevermore.
He is the resurrection and life.
Whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.
Although that person’s body may die, his soul and spirit will live forevermore.
On Jesus’s resurrection, He later ascended in Heaven and is sitting at the right hand of God the Father as an advocate interceding for humankind (especially believers).

How come Jesus who is God is at the same time sitting at the right hand of God the Father?
Jesus was with God in the beginning and will continue to be with Him forever.
The right hand of God is the highest exalted position God has given to Jesus in the personality of God the Son after accomplishing His purpose on this earth.
By sitting at the right of God, the enemies of Jesus have been placed at His footstool. 
The right hand of God is the place for exercising the ultimate authority over all things in heaven, on earth and under the earth.
Sitting at the right side of God is an affirmation that Jesus is equal in status with the Godhead.

If Jesus is God why did He ascend to heaven with His human body?
Because He will come back to this earth to judge the living and the dead at the end of the age.
He will return to this earth as the firstfruit of the dead to raise the bodies of those who died believing in Him to be like His.
The ascension of Jesus with His resurrected and immortal body also affirms that His incarnation was not temporarily.

The controversies about Jesus are symptoms of unbelief, doubts, deception, ignorance, pride and ego.
It is only in the light of Jesus that the controversies about Him can be deflated, dissolved or resolved.
The word of God has answers to every human controversy or question about Jesus.
Darkness cannot overcome darkness; only light can do that.
The entrance of God’s word gives light which is able to overcome every darkness.

Jesus is not controversial.
He is rather the only answer to every human controversy, puzzle, qualm and problem.
He is the only Creator and Sustainer of all creation, both visible and invisible.
He is the Bread of Life and the Good Shepherd.
He is the only Saviour of the world and the only source of eternal life.
He is the only answer to eternal death and damnation.

His name, Jesus, is superior to all names in heaven, on earth and under the earth.
At the name of Jesus every knee bows and every tongue acknowledges that Jesus Chris is Lord.
I invite you to receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Saviour if you do not know Him.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author Wisdom Thoughts. The writer is an award-winning prolific author of 8 books and over 250 articles on legal and non-legal themes. He is also a pastor, lawyer, law lecturer, certified life and leadership coach,  and a blogger.

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com
Mobile: +233 (0)246 556 774.


Publication History
Authored on 13/01/2024 and published on 18/01/2024 on the author’s blog and other social media platforms.


Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges with appreciation the critique and valuable comments of his Editorial Team to this write-up.

THE GOLDEN TREES IN AFRICA

THE GOLDEN TREES IN AFRICA

Africa is full of actual trees.

It is also full of several golden trees.

These golden trees are in the form of oil, minerals and other natural resources including water bodies.

These natural resources are God-given for the benefit of all people.

The golden trees in Africa are for the good of humanity.

They are for the good of Africans and humankind at large.

The fruits of a good tree are expected to be enjoyed by all members of a community or nation. 

Like the streets of gold in Heaven, the fruits of golden trees serve as good roads for members of the public.

Branches of golden trees are expected to provide shade for many people.

When the fruits and branches of golden trees are captured by political parties, their cronies or selfish leaders; wanton waste and underdevelopment are inevitable.

Such greedy capture also leads to devaluation, pollution and destruction of such golden trees.

Many African river bodies are losing their natural state because of greed and selfishness.

Many golden trees in Africa are being reduced to prices of firewood because of greed and wickedness.

State capture is more dangerous and treasonable than a global pandemic because it silently kills many people and sabotages the destinies of many generations. 

There are many Gardens of Edens in Africa which are full of golden trees.

These Gardens of Eden consist of countries in Africa.

Like Adam and Eve, all Africans have the divine mandate to keep and till such gardens.

Let Africans arise and safeguard their gardens that are full of golden trees.

Let the youth arise and safeguard their God-given golden trees and gardens to avert their destruction and depletion.

Let Africans arise by condemning, challenging and confronting state capture, greediness and selfishness that are embezzling and devouring the golden trees in their gardens.

Let’s stop running to the West, global north or elsewhere and focus on securing our golden trees and gardens through lawful means and legitimate actions.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of If You Think of Your Opposition You Lose Your Position. The writer is an award-winning prolific author of 8 books and over 250 articles on legal and non-legal themes. He is also a pastor, lawyer, law lecturer, certified life and leadership coach and a blogger.

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

Mobile: +233 (0)246 556 774.

Publication History

Authored on 06/01/2024 and published on 09/01/2024 on the author’s blog and other social media platforms.

Acknowledgement

The author appreciates the critiques and valuable comments of his Editorial Team on this write-up.

DEMOCRACY UNDER SIEGE IN AFRICA?

 DEMOCRACY UNDER SIEGE IN AFRICA?

Yes, it is the system of government where the majority rules without suffocating the genuine and reasonable interests of minority groups.

Yes, it is a system of government which depends on the will of the people.

Yes, democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Yes, its chief aim is to truly secure the reasonable interests and welfare of the people.

Yes, democracy has contributed to stable governance, fundamental human rights and the general well-being of humankind.

Yes, democratic governments are averagely better than authoritarian regimes, totalitarian regimes, oligarchy, communism, monarchism, colonialism and aristocracy.

But why is democracy sometimes so mean, heartless, wicked, selfish and full of confusion in Africa?

Why does democracy appear to be the dictates of the so-called powerful people and the so-called developed nations to the detriment of Africa?

Why should democracy be reduced to senseless geopolitics and be used by selected dictators as a weapon to veto decisions that auger the larger populace on the global stage without taking into consideration the interests of Africa?

Why has democracy become a tool for promoting obvious foolishness and insanity on the global stage and forcing them down the throats of Africans?

Why does democracy sometimes put on the clothes of awful discrimination, dictatorship, arbitrariness, greediness, wastefulness, and unfruitfulness in Africa?

Why have some so-called democratic governments in Africa become safe havens for dishonest idiots, professional liars, corrupt and dishonourable officials, and wicked people?

Why does democracy in Africa sometimes reduce the electorates and the populace to pitiable servants and sorrowful slaves?

Why does democracy in Africa sometimes allow some executive arms of government to bully, control, or silence its counterparts like the legislature, judiciary, media and other relevant players?

Is democracy not losing its salt in Africa?

Are the lights of democracy not dimming in Africa?

Is democracy not becoming unreasonably expensive and being replaced by moneytocracy in Africa?

Is democracy not becoming a cycle of mere periodic elections and endurance of pathetic and bad governments in Africa?

Is democracy not becoming synonymous with arbitrariness, kangerolism,  juntalism,  junglelism, richtocracy, and greedy and populace partisanships? 

Is democracy not more and more looking like a white elephant in Africa?

Democracy must be seen to be more than periodic elections in Africa.

It must in reality be made to be bigger and stronger than political parties and their cronies.

It must truly be manifested as the government by the people, of the people,  for the people, and truly with the people.

Democracy must be more reasonable, sincere, honest, relevant, profitable and fruitful in Africa.

Democracy in Africa must sit up!

It must truly be up and doing without pretence and sheer partisanship.

Let the citizenry and electorates in Africa arise and accord true meaning to democracy.

Oh, Lord! Help the failing and failed democracies in Africa.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author 'If You Think of Your Opposition You Lose Your Position'. The writer is an award-winning prolific author of 8 books and over 250 articles on legal and non-legal themes. He is also a pastor, lawyer, law lecturer, certified life and leadership coach, advocate and blogger.

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

Mobile: +233 (0) 246 556 774.

Publication History

Authored on 30/12/2023 and published on 02/01/2024 on the author’s blog and other social media platforms. The author appreciates the critiques of the members of his Editorial Team on this write-up.

THE MOCKERY OF DOMELOVO’S FORCED RETIREMENT

 

THE MOCKERY OF DOMELOVO’S FORCED RETIREMENT

 

My name is Mother Ghana

I celebrated my 64^th Independence Anniversary on 6^th March 2021

Because of Covid-19, the celebration was not accompanied with the usual fanfare

But it was a great opportunity for my sons and daughters to truly pause and reflect

They need to reflect on their attitudes - especially their blind loyalty to political parties, insincerity, corrupt mindset and lack of patriotism; and amend their ways.

 

My 64^th Independence Anniversary was preceded by sadden news

I was sad after reading a letter dated 3^rd March 2021 from the Office of the President

The said letter took the view that Mr. Daniel Yaw Domelevo has formally left office as the Auditor-General of Ghana based on some records and documents made available to the Office of the President by the Audit Service

Consequently, the President formally retired Mr. Domelevo based on his views.

 

Mr. President when and how did Mr Domelevo formally leave office?

What then is the essence of your letter retiring him from office?

Please why did your office compel Mr. Domelevo to go for the contentious accumulated leave of 167 working days from 1^st July 2020 if he had ‘formally left office’ as at 1^st June 2020?

Please why didn’t you give Mr. Domelevo opportunity to be heard on the allegations made against him as you sought to do for persons who were cited for wrongdoing by the former Special Prosecutor in the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal?

Please don’t you think your decision to retire Mr. Domelevo from office barely a day after he returned to his post after faithfully serving his purported 167 accumulated leave was an embarrassment to him?

Please don’t you think your decision and its antecedents are disincentive to the spirit of patriotism, the fight against corruption, and good governance?

I would be grateful if you could please give my foregoing rhetorical questions pensive reflections.

 

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Wisdom Thoughts. The writer is an award-winning author of 7 books and over 250 articles.  He is also a certified life and leadership coach, a lawyer, a law lecturer, a doctoral researcher and a blogger.  Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com    Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com © 15 March 2021.

 

TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF THE LATE JOSHUA GBEVE

 

TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF THE LATE JOSHUA GBEVE 

Josh, our God caused our paths to cross sometime in 2010

Our first encounter was in relation to my book ministry of which my graphic communication designers happen to be your close friends and roommates. You and your roommates were hospital enough to share your room with me.

 

You were indeed a destiny-connector and a divine helper

As our friendship grew, I once had a beautiful dream about you which I could not share with you during your lifetime; I wish I had. The Lord told me in that dream that you were a destiny-connector and a friend-for-keeps. Our ten-year friendship unveiled these truths and proved that you were indeed a precious gift from the Lord. Not only did you literary share your office at KNUST with me to facilitate my academic and research related activities. You also introduced me to the Chevening Scholarship which by God’s grace we both successfully applied.

 

Josh, you were an authentic Christian

 You were a true lover of the things of God; you loved prayer, God’s word and fellowship with other believers. We used to pray together and share God’s word both physically on the top of your office building and at the KNUST Botanical Garden, and virtually through conference call, WhatsApp and zoom. You were humble, selfless, sober, generous, gentle, patient, prudent, affable, faithful, reliable, tenacious and forgiving. Thanks for all the sweet fellowships we had together. Your life continues to inspire me to love the Lord more and more, and give more attention to His kingdom and righteousness. I will always remember you for your inspiring quotes including the following: ‘you cannot almost make it to heaven,’ and ‘there’ll be no rebels in God’s kingdom’.

 

Why have you left us suddenly?

When at the dawn of 30^th November 2020, I heard of your sudden death from your wife, it sounded like an expensive joke but it turned out to be painful news. You were sound and fit when you came to my office at KNUST on the 24^th and 26^th November 2020. You took several photographs of our mutual friend Dela and I on the 26^th November but we did not take one together with you, except your unintended appearance in one of the shots I took. Perhaps we never thought you were indirectly bidding us farewell. You called me on phone on the 27^th November when you were on your way to register your dream company, which you successfully did; only for you to die on the 29^th November 2020.

 

Josh, your sudden death has humbled me and created a big vacuum

But your Maker had permitted it to be so although your loved ones count it as a great lost to humanity; we are proud of your great legacy which are worth emulating. As you are being laid to rest today (30^th January 2021), may the faithful God remember your good works and generosity. I have no iota of doubt in my heart that you have entered His eternal rest.

  

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Wisdom Thoughts. The writer is an award-winning author of 7 books and over 250 articles.  He is also a certified life and leadership coach, a lawyer, a law lecturer, a doctoral researcher and a blogger.  Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com    Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com © 30 January  2021.

 

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*Joshua was a User Experience Specialist, a Chevening Scholar and a Senior Staff of KNUST.

 

SEASON OF POLITICAL HYMNALS

The Lord says: These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me- Isaiah 29:13 

The very mention of a hymn brings to mind a song of praise or joy, or a song of thanksgiving to God.[1] Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Holy Holy Holy, It is Well, and Great is Thy Faithfulness are some of the most popular Christian hymns. There are also political hymns that are sung during political campaign seasons, and these political hymns may be in the form of slogans or election campaign promises. This article seeks to explore political hymns in Ghana in relation to election campaigns.

Political slogans are interesting features of elections in Ghana because of their ability to motivate and gain public support for a particular political party during elections. William Safire defines a slogan as ‘a rallying cry; catch phrase; a brief message that crystallizes an idea, defines an issue, the best of which thrill, exhort and inspire’.[2] Political slogans typically express a political party’s ideas in a concise manner.[3] Since Ghana’s independence in 1957, the country has held a number of democratic elections and political slogans have played enormous role in influencing voter choices in those elections. The first slogan that gained much popularity was the United Gold Coast Convention’s (UGCC) Self Government in our Lifetime.[4] The Nkrumah led Convention People’s Party (CPP) changed the slogan to Self Government Now. The CPP went on to adopt Freedom as its slogan.[5] The United Party (UP), the first nation-wide political party to oppose the CPP, adopted Justice as its slogan.[6]

It has, however, been observed that Ghanaians did not experience ‘freedom’ in the First Republic despite the CPP’s slogan of freedom.[7] The First Republic is usually remembered as a Republic that was characterised by violations of basic rights and freedoms of citizens. Citizens did not have the freedom of speech or freedom of association since Ghana was made a one party state. The Preventive Detention Act (PDA), for instance, was constantly used to punish individuals who criticised the Nkrumah’s administration.

In 1969, the Progress Party (PP) under the leadership of K.A Busia was in power. The PP’s slogan was Sure! It turned out that the only thing the Busia’s administration was sure of was the unprecedented devaluation of the cedi.[8] The Progress Party later adopted the slogan of Discipline.[9] Citizens were highly inspired by this slogan but later discovered that their leaders themselves had failed to exercise the discipline they were preaching about when it came to the declaration of their assets as stipulated in the then Constitution.[10]

The I.K Acheampong regime which ended the PP’s reign also came up with slogans such as Yentua, Operation Feed Yourself’ and Capturing the Commanding Heights of the Economy.[11] The Rawlings led  National Democratic Congress (NDC) can also be remembered for its Probity and Accountability slogan. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) under the leadership of Kufuor adopted the slogan Positive Change.[12] In Kufuor’s view, there was economic negativity under the NDC government and so it was time for a positive change for Ghana and her citizens. In 2008, the Better Ghana Agenda by the NDC gained a lot of public support. The most popular slogans in 2012 and 2016 included Yeresesa mu; Changing Lives, Transforming Ghana; Apam Foforo; The Battle is the Lord’s; JM Toaso; Free SHS; One District, One Factory; Ghana Beyond Aid, and One Village, One Dam. 2020, likewise previous election years, has had its fair share of political slogans. The most popular ones are Four More For Nana, to Do More For You, and Jobs, Prosperity and More.

It is evident that political slogans are very significant since they help propagate campaign messages as well as gain public interest in elections. Nonetheless, just as a hymn is sang to inspire and transform lives; political slogans and campaign promises should not merely create high level of political excitements to win votes. Political leaders who sing political hymns during election campaigns must be prepared to demonstrate their willingness and ability to fulfill the promises embedded in these campaign slogans when they are eventually elected into office. They must not just pay lip service to the electorate by throwing around catchy slogans. Political parties should also have a renewed sense of commitment towards fulfilling their campaign promises when they are elected into office, rather than merely singing political hymns every election year. Electorates should also not allow themselves to be carried away by mere political hymns since such hymns may merely come from the lips of those who sing them, but not from their hearts.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of If You Think of Your Opposition You Lose Your Position .The writer is an award-winning author of 7 books and over 250 articles.  He is also a certified life and leadership coach, a lawyer, a legal academic and a blogger.  Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com   Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com © 4 December 2020.

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[1] ‘Hymn’ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/hymn accessed 15 November 2020

[2] William Safire, ‘Safire’s Political Dictionary’ (Oxford University Press 2008)

[3] Cail Newsome, ‘The Use of Slogans in Political Rhetoric’ (2002), The Corinthian: 4(3)

[4] Nikoi Kotey, ‘Ghana, A Fertile Land of Slogans, Mottos and Shibboleths’ (2002) < https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.modernghana.com/amp/news/111337/ghana-a-fertile-land-of-slogans-mottos-and-shibb.html> accessed 15 November 2020

[5] Ibid

[6] Ibid

[7] Ibid

[8] Ibid

[9] Ibid

[10] Ibid

[11] Ibid

[12] Ibid