DEMOCRATIC DICTATORSHIP IN GHANA?

DEMOCRATIC DICTATORSHIP IN GHANA?

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others - Philippians 2:4 (AMP).

Democracy has been defined severally. The concept may mean different things in different contexts. For instance, the meaning of democracy will differ if one focuses on the procedures of governance as against the focus of the concept on goals of democratic government. Nonetheless, one of the most popular definitions of the concept is the one rendered by Abraham Lincoln. The revered US Statesman defines democracy as ‘a system of government of the people, by the people and for the people’. Abraham Lincoln’s definition of democracy implies that democracy in all forms should be people-centred. In this piece, the use of the concept of democracy implies upholding public interests above personal interests in democratic governance.

Ghana is a democratic nation. The country has been practicing constitutional democracy since it attained republican status in 1960. Despite the chequered nature of Ghana’s constitutional evolution and the unfortunate instances of military regimes, the country’s democratic dispensation has yielded a number of precious fruits. Ghana can be proud, at least, of its political stability and multi-party democracy since 1992. The country’s political stability over the past three decades has also engineered peace, growth and development in a number of sectors. Notwithstanding the dividends Ghana has so far enjoyed from its constitutional democracy, the nature of democratic governance in the country has not been totally centred on the welfare of the people in Ghana.

Article 1(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana vests the sovereignty of Ghana in the people of Ghana. This requires powers of government to be exercised within the boundaries of the 1992 Constitution to secure the welfare of the people of Ghana. Article 55 (5) of the 1992 Constitution, for instance, requires political parties to conform to democratic principles in their activities and undertakings.  Article 58(1) of the Constitution also requires executive powers to be exercised in accordance with the 1992 Constitution. Despite the provisions of the foregoing articles, the actions and inactions of political parties in Ghana have not, in most instances, been focusing on securing the best interests of the people of Ghana. Similarly, the exercise of executive authority in the country has not been focused mainly on securing the larger interests of Ghanaians. In practice, a number of decisions are taken to serve the parochial interests of political parties and their cronies irrespective of their adverse impact on the ordinary Ghanaian. 

It seems to  me that in Ghana, partisan politics and the exercise of executive powers are usually centred on how a government in power can win the next election or satisfy the expectations or demands of party folks. In this vein, the ordinary Ghanaian remains a mere voter who becomes important in the political architecture only when there is a general election. The powers, views and the welfare of the ordinary Ghanaian are usually swallowed by the dictates of political parties and those exercising executive powers.  It is unfortunate that unless a Ghanaian identifies him or herself with a political party and dabbles with that party’s antics and optics, that person’s share of the national cake will remain a mirage. This sad commentary has also robbed the nation of the benefits of the gifts and talents of many of its citizenry who may not be interested in partisan politics.

Why do we continue to preach democratic virtues and practice the vices of dictators? Why should true democracy be made to appear as if it is a master rather than being a servant? Why should we clothe the exercise of executive authority with democratic antics and optics while acting as dictators? Partisan politicians usually lose sight of the fact that multi-party democracy cannot exist in a vacuum. Similarly, executive authority cannot be exercised in the absence of a nation and its people. This implies that wise leaders will always focus on building stronger nations, not stronger political parties nor personalities. While Ghanaians are encouraged to challenge the excesses of the exercise of powers by political parties and executive authorities, honesty remains the greatest policy. It is high time a number of political parties and executive authorities in Ghana acknowledge that they are increasingly becoming democratic dictators. Let the ordinary Ghanaian wise-up!

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. The writer is a fellow of the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, KNUST, Kumasi. 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  21/03/2024 and published on 21/03/2024 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.

References

1. 1992 Constitution of Ghana

2. Russel J Dalton e’tal, ‘Popular conceptions of the Meaning of Democracy: Democratic Understanding in Unlikely Places’ (2007) CSD Working Papers >https://escholarship.org/content/qt2j74b860/qt2j74b860< Accessed 21 March 2024.

3. ADCO Law, ‘Democracy: Definition, Characteristics. And Types’ [ADCO Law, 14 December 2022] >http://adcolaw.com/blog/democracy-definition-characteristics-and-types< Accessed 21 March 2024.

FROM THE BATTLE IS OF THE LORD TO THE BATTLE IS OF ECONOMIC ‘POLITRICKS’

FROM THE BATTLE IS OF THE LORD TO THE BATTLE IS OF ECONOMIC ‘POLITRICKS’

‘Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people’ - 2 Timothy 3:5 (NIV).

On the heels of the 2016 General Election in Ghana, one of the political mantras of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was ‘the battle is of the Lord’. This mantra was particularly trumpeted by the current President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. His Excellency and the ruling NPP later added and trumpeted many other mantras including the following:

a. ‘I believe in Ghana’;

b. ‘We have the men’; and 

c. ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’.

Beyond these political mantras, the president also later made a solemn vow to build a National Cathedral to appreciate God for ensuring his election victories. The controversial National Cathedral which was scheduled to be commissioned on 6 March 2024, however, remains at the foundational level because of mounting economic and political challenges.

Ghana was 67 years old on 6 March 2024. The 67th Independence Celebration was held under the theme ‘Our Democracy, Our Pride’. I think Ghanaians would be proud of a democracy that upholds accountability, probity, self-determination, transparency, honesty, development, freedom, justice and decency.  Ghanaians are increasingly becoming apathetic towards any kind of democracy that is just about periodic elections, political speeches, failed promises, corruption and wanton waste of state resources, political chauvinism, and democratic dictatorship. The country will be 70 years in 2027.  Will the 70th Independence Anniversary Celebration of Ghana also be bridled with uninspiring political speeches and political sermons?

Before the 67th Independence Celebration of Ghana, the country has been stirred in relation to the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act 2024. The  reactions of the His Excellency, the Majority Leader in Parliament and the Ministry of Finance to the yet-to-be assented Act fueled the already charged-atmosphere. Contrary to the provisions of Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, His Excellency on 4th March 2024 chose to address members of the Diplomatic Corps about the proposed legislation. The president sought to allay the anxieties of certain quarters of the diplomatic community about the passage of the proposed legislation which is yet to reach his desk. His Excellency also assured the diplomatic community that Ghana will not take any backsliding step in relations to its human rights records. The president also indicated his awareness of a case filed in the Supreme Court of Ghana to challenge the constitutionality of the proposed legislation. Consequently, His Excellency advised everyone to hold on until the Supreme Court finally determines the case before it. The following rhetorical questions ring bells in relation to His Excellency’s address:

1. Why is the president not holding his breath until the proposed legislation reach his desk to enable him comply with the requirements of Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution?

2. Mr. President, which case had been filed at the Supreme Court at the time of your address?

3. Why was the president so mindful of addressing the concerns and anxieties of some quarters of the diplomatic community about the proposed legislation while ignoring the concerns of majority of Ghanaians about the legislation?

4. Why did the president assent to the Electronic Transfer Levy Act 2022 (Act 1075) although there is a pending suit against its passage at the Supreme Court?

5. Does Mr. President not think that his comment that Ghana will not take backsliding step in relation to the country’s human rights record is prejudicial?

Prior to the president’s address to the diplomatic community, Ghana’s Ministry of Finance issued a brief  on the immediate impact the passage of the proposed legislation on the implementation of the 2024 budget. The ministry estimates that Ghana is likely to lose a total of $3.8 billion World Bank funding over a period of 5 to 6 years. The ministry therefore advised His Excellency to defer the signing of the proposed legislation until the Supreme Court rules on its constitutionality. When did the Ministry of Finance become the legal adviser to His Excellency? How will Ghana deal with any so-called fall in revenue if the Supreme Court upholds the constitutionality of the legislation? Is it not the time to inject fresh blood into the Ghana Beyond Aid mantra granted that Ghana will indeed lose some donor funding? What has been the real economic impact on any of the Africa countries which have passed Anti-Gay laws within the last decade? Is the Ministry of Finance not playing to the gallery of economic ‘politricks’?

The New Majority Leader in Ghanaian Parliament, Honourable Afenyo Markin, continuous to mount some spirited arguments against the passage of the proposed legislation. One of the key submissions of the Honourable MP is that because of the poor conditions of some Ghanaian prisons, no custodial sentence should be imposed on persons who may be convicted under proposed legislation. Honourable Majority Leader,

1. When did you become aware of the poor state of some of the prisons in Ghana?

2. Is the proposed legislation the only law in Ghana that sanctions custodial sentences?

3. Why have you failed to champion the dignity of the many prisoners who are already serving their prison terms prior to the passage of the proposed legislation.

God cannot be mocked. Neither can He be played. If we are willing to build a National Cathedral to honour God, why are we seemingly seeking to frustrate a law that will enhance Ghanaian families values and decency of Ghanaians? If we  see it necessary to invite God into our political battles, why are we struggling to invite him into our perceived economic battles? Why are we seeking to place the interests of foreigners or the diplomatic community above the interests of majority of Ghanaians?   

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  07/03/2024 and published on 08/03/2024 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.

*References*

1.1992 Constitution of Ghana

2.Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act 2024.

3.Ghanaweb, ‘Anti-LGBT+ Bill: No cause for anxiety-Akufo-Addo assures diplomatic community, others’ [Ghanaweb, 5 March 2024] > https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Anti-LGBT-Bill-No-cause-for-anxiety-Akufo-Addo-assures-diplomatic-community-others-1919980< Accessed 5 March 2024.

4.BBC, ‘Ghana’s finance ministry urges President to sign anti-LGBTQ+ bill’ [BBC News, 4 March 2024]> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-68469613< Accessed 4 March 2024.

5.Ministry of Finance, ‘Passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values: Brief on the Immediate Impact on the Implementation of the 2024 Budget’ [Ministry of Finance, March 2024] > https://mofep.gov.gh/< Accessed 4 March 2024.

’DUMSOR’ OR DISCO LIGHTS IN GHANA?

’DUMSOR’ OR DISCO LIGHTS IN GHANA?

‘Dumsor’ which is a Ghanaian coinage literally means ‘off and on’ of power (electricity) supply. It implies erratic power  supply. The term 'dumsor' describes a precariousness power situation that depicts frequent power outages in Ghana. English Dictionary defines disco lights as ‘coloured lights that flash on and off in time [to] the music at a disco etc’. The use of the term ‘dumsor disco lights’  in the context of this piece means unreliable and unstable supply of electricity. 

Although about 85% of Ghana's urban population has access to electricity, one of the major problems facing the country’s energy sector today is unreliable power supply. Ghana has suffered five (5) major power crises which occurred in 1984, 1994, 1998, 2007, and 2012-2016. His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, delivered his penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Parliament House of Ghana on Tuesday 27th February, 2024. While touting the achievements of his government in the energy sector, the president indicated that the NPP Government has been able to keep the power on in the last seven (7) years. What His Excellency did not know was that even while he was making this statement,  the lights went out in some parts of Greater Kumasi for a considerable period of time.  The recurrent power outages in Ghana in recent times, in the midst of rising temperatures in the country, are becoming both intolerable and unbearable.

There is no benefit in playing politics with power supply since the price to pay for doing that is too expensive to especially the ordinary Ghanaian and businesses. Reliable power supply is inevitable for the sustainable development and growth of any nation. Several literature on energy affirm that energy is the ‘lifeblood’ of any society. This implies that energy is a crucial part of human life because it is needed to meet the basic needs of society.

The lingering question on the minds of many Ghanaians or residents in Ghana today is whether the country is currently experiencing ‘dumsor’ or ‘disco lights’ or both? It is high time we stoped playing politics with energy or power supply in the country. The Government of Ghana, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Public Utility Regulation Commission (PURC) and the Energy Commission (EC) need to give honest feedback about the power situation in the country. They should also address Ghanaians about the true state of Ghana's energy sector. They need to also put out realistic measures to fix challenges bedevilling the country’s energy sector.

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 a fellow of the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, KNUST, Kumasi. The writer is a pastor, lawyer, law lecturer, certified life and leadership coach, and a blogger. 

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

Mobile: +233 (0)246 556 774.

Link to other articles of the author on blogspot: https://richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com/?m=1

Publication History

Authored on  29/02/2024 and published on 01/03/2024 on the author’s blog and other social media platforms. Revised on 14-16/03/2024 and republished on 16/03/2024.

Acknowledgement

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

References

1. Richard  Obeng Mensah, ‘The “Dumsor” Christian’ Gracefields Chapel 2018] >https://gracefields.org/the-dumsor-christian/< Accessed 29 February 2024.

2. Collins Dictionaries, ‘disco lights’ [Collins 2024] >https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/disco-lights#:~:text=disco%20lights%20in%20British%20English,music%20at%20a%20disco%20etc< Accessed 29 February 2023.

3. Raymond A Atuguba e’tal, ‘Ghana’s Renewable Energy Agenda: Legislative Drafting in Search of Policy Paralysis’ (2020) 64 Energy Research & Social Science 5.

4.   Christian Emmanuel Bruce and Kimberly Thomas, ‘On Again, Off Again: Ghana’s Struggles with Electricity Unreliability, Equity and Sustainability’ [Undisciplined Environments, 9 January 2024] > https://undisciplinedenvironments.org/2024/01/09/on-again-off-again-ghanas-struggles-with-electricity-unreliability-equality-and-sustainability/< Accessed 14 March 2024.

FROM MERE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP TO TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN GHANA

 

FROM MERE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP TO TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN GHANA

Transformational leaders are like the roots of a tree. They may not be visible, but they keep the tree alive - Gift Gugu Mona.

May the Lord raise leaders for our nations who will respond correctly to His demand for honesty- Benjamin Suulola.

Partisan politics, just like in most democratic societies, is real, alive and strong in Ghana . It has nearly permeated every fiber of the Ghanaian society. Partisan politics in Ghana has in most occasions become the mirror for discussing and reflecting on even sensitive national issues. Political parties, especially the dominant ones, appear to be more powerful than a number of Ghanaian national institutions. In the name of democracy, these political parties are pre-occupied with building political empires for their members and followers rather than building the Ghanaian society on honest foundations with strong institutions. Winning elections and capturing or controlling state resources appear to be the main agenda of most political parties in Ghana. A number of partisan politicians in Ghana rhetorically proclaim to seek the welfare of the ordinary Ghanaian but they end up worsening their standards of living. Even those mere politicians who sometimes meet the temporary needs of some Ghanaians do so with the selfish motive of using the aid as a bait to get their votes. 

Leadership, it is said, is too important to leave it to politicians. Leaving leadership to politicians is like leaving formal education in the hands of morally bankrupt and dishonest teachers. Instead of using the educational system to raise leaders and a fruitful workforce; such dishonest teachers will at best raise mere job seekers, dishonest and immoral graduates, and unpatriotic citizens who only care about themselves and their  families. Leaving leadership in the hands of politicians can also be likened to appointing political cronies into leadership positions. Such political leaders, who  are usually not generational thinkers, sacrifice the critical needs of their nations for the parochial interests of their political parties. Mere political leaders in the end make democracy unattractive and unfruitful to the citizenry.

Democracy in Ghana is yet to yield the expected dividends. Democracy in Ghana appears to have been reduced to mere partisan politics and periodic elections. The essence of citizenship in Ghana has largely been reduced to mere or blind voting and alignment with a political party. To the ordinary Ghanaian, democracy is more about partisan politics, political parties and political personalities; rather than real leadership, transformation and meaningful development.

Ghana needs transformational leaders not mere political leaders. Transformational leaders have the right leadership mindset. They are visionary, selfless, real, practical, honest, incorruptible, spiritual and transgenerational thinkers. For such leaders, leadership is a divine assignment and mandate. They perceive leadership as a privilege vehicle to herald and influence transformation of lives and society for the benefit of the present and unborn generations. They are more interested in leaving an inspiring legacy, not in titles of leadership positions. For Gift Gugu Muna, ‘Transformational leadership is a calling, much more than a title. A transformational leader does not care about how he is called. He only cares about what he has been called to do.’

In the process of transformational leadership, both ‘…leaders and followers raise each other to higher levels of motivation and morality’ (Jennifer Herrity). Transformational leaders seek to build strong nations, institutions and individuals; not strong political parties. According to Herrity, transformational leadership involves modelling fairness and integrity. It also involves provoking positive emotions in others and inspiring people to achieve their goals. This kind of leadership mainly focuses on changing the mindset of the populace and building their capacity. Transformational leadership builds a culture of honesty, patriotism and transgenerational mindset. Stewart Gabel has observed that transformational leadership is grounded in modelling commitment to higher values and goals by a leader to motivate and inspire followers to achieve mutually recognized objectives.

Ghana needs transformational leadership to build a culture of discipline, honesty and patriotism. The country also needs transformational leadership to truly promote zero-tolerance of corruption, accountability, fairness, equity, honour, respect, loyalty, transformed lives  and generational thinkers. The time for the clarion call for transformational leadership in Ghana is louder now than before. It is high time Ghanaians looked beyond political party colours when exercising their franchise. It is better not to vote than to vote for a mere political aspirant or leader who will end up messing your personal economy and that of the national economy. Let the Ghanaian voter wise-up and seek after transformational leadership.

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, a blogger, and a certified life and leadership coach and.

Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com

Mobile: +233 (0)246 556 774.

Publication History

Authored on  22/02/2024 and published on 23/02/2024 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.

THE DRIVER, THE MATE AND THE PASSENGERS ANALOGY IN GHANAIAN POLITICS

 

THE DRIVER, THE MATE AND THE PASSENGERS ANALOGY IN GHANAIAN POLITICS

A driver, his mate and their passengers have a common goal. They all desire to arrive at a preferred destination. The driver and his mate by virtue of their words, conduct and representations usually cause their passengers to pose confidence in their ability to take the passengers to the desired destination. The driver and his mate usually by their conduct tout their driving abilities and may propose the best means for the transportation of their passengers to the desired destination.

Real leadership and transformation entail transportation. True leaders are able to move their followers from one destination to a better destination. Like the Biblical Moses, real leaders willingly, sacrificially and responsibly seek to move their people from the land of bondage or hardship to the land of Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey. Any leader and his assistant who fail to achieve this goal are likely to disappoint their people who have chosen to believe in their vision.

How can two people walk together unless they agree? How can a driver and his mate transport their passengers to a desired destination unless they are one in mind, in heart, and in hand? Like Jesus who is one with His Father, a driver and a mate who are not one in purpose and pursuit can never take their passengers to the promised land. A driver and a mate who are unable to take their passengers to a desired destination must be both candid and demonstrate high sense of responsibility. They should be able to admit their failures, apologize to their passengers and convince them with a renewed and trustworthy vision (if any). 

Why would a mate seek to dissociate himself from some outcomes of the decisions of his master whom he assisted throughout an uncompleted or failed journey? Will such a mate be considered loyal and trustworthy? Will the stranded passengers trust the so-called abilities of a mate who seems to blame his master for a failed journey embarked on together? How can a mate who could not assist his master to achieve a desired goal become a competent driver? Both a headmaster and an assistant headmaster of a school take credit for the excellent performance of their students. Why should the same assistant headmaster run from responsibility when their students perform poorly?

Like the Biblical Joshua, only true and loyal assistants are given the divine mandate to lead their people to the promised land. True ‘Joshuas’ demonstrate credibility and responsibility. They muster boldness and courage to pursue a God-given vision to transport their followers to the promised land. True ‘Joshuas’ do not shift blame to their ‘Moses’ but rather focus on their God-given vision. Real ‘Joshuas’ do not leave their passengers stranded in the wilderness. They either share in the blame and seek for another opportunity to lead the uncompleted journey or quit the scene to enable a better or a new leader steer the uncompleted journey.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author  of 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 08/02/2024 and published on 08/02/2024 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.

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.