Posts in category: Top Stories

In November 2021, a young gentleman appeared on a television set to be auditioned for an opportunity to be mentored by a senior journalist. During the interview, one of the panellists queried him on his previous social media posts, in which he vilified the panel members and other senior journos. Unfortunately, the young man could not justify his actions but sought to suggest that social media posts are sometimes not based on true facts, but intended to generate conversations.

This may be one of many instances where persons who disagree with leadership take to social media to vilify and cast insinuations at such leaders, much of it being personal sentiments with little facts. In a democratic society such as ours, this may not be out of place, considering a linchpin of our constitution is freedom of speech. Democracy itself thrives on collective rulership where voices are supposed to be heard in governance.

Over the years, there has been a general growth in dissatisfaction with leadership across nations: both political and nonpolitical. In 2010, Mohammed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old trader in Tunisia, set himself ablaze as a protest to his treatment by local officials, prompting demonstrations which led to the then president, Ben Ali, stepping down – paving the way for democratic elections in that country. This incident in Tunisia prompted similar protests across North Africa and the Middle East, known as the Arab Springs. These wave of protests and the overwhelming results, made popular to the entire world through social media, inspired many ordinary citizens to, in their own way, rally public sentiments aimed at challenging perceived ills within their respective societies.

Democracy, social media and historic events such as the Arab Springs, have empowered many people to rise and speak to societal issues more boldly. While this has generally kept leaders on their toes, it behoves the Christian to be guided by scripture in confronting issues with leaders both within and without the church.

The 16th chapter of the third book of Moses, Numbers, offers a playbook to guide our conduct as Christians in addressing issues of perceived disagreement with leadership.

Korah, a Levite and first cousin to Aaron and Moses, stood up against the latter, accusing him of exalting himself above the others who make up the Assembly of God. Korah argued that they were all holy and the Lord was among them – Moses and Aaron were no more special than Korah and his cohorts. His view seemed plausible to the chiefs of the congregation, 250 of whom were won over. The Bible described these as well-known men; perhaps respectable people and opinion leaders whose views were not taken lightly. Dathan and Abiram, on the other hand, seemed to be frustrated by the general challenges with wanderings on the desert. It could be inferred from their action that they blamed Moses and Aaron for the hardship Israel was facing. At the end of this confrontation, God affirmed his choice of Moses and Aaron. By opening up the earth and sending fire to destroy the defiant group, He had sent a strong warning throughout the congregation that He would not countenance any rebellion against His chosen.

There are some lessons from this story, as well as guidance provided throughout scripture, which the Christian can glean to guide his conduct towards leaders, so one does not stand the risk of defiance against those God has placed in authority.

First, in any called congregation, there are some who are chosen to lead in specific areas. Within God’s chosen community of Israel, there were some chosen as leaders of the clans, Levites chosen to serve in the tabernacle (this is where Korah belonged), Aaron and his sons chosen as priests among the Levites, and Moses chosen to lead the entire congregation of God’s people (Israel). The bible says in Romans 13:1 (ESV) ‘Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God’. If God has divinely placed others as leaders in the church or society, we must obey them in all humility. Our reverence for God is expressed in reverence for those he has chosen to lead.

Next, standing up to someone God has put in authority is standing up to God himself. Korah was able to rally support from leaders within the community, thinking he had a valid course. Unfortunately, he was on a path to self-destruction, as this turned out to be a confrontation with God Himself. Romans 13:2 says ‘Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment’. God’s administration of our society and church is done through human vessels we call leaders. A leader therefore does not stand in authority of himself, but only in God’s place.

Again, the voice of the people is not always the voice of God. Although Korah garnered support from a sizeable number of the leaders, their view did not represent God’s will. Social media likes and popular sentiments are not a very good measure of the change that must happen. Although individuals may have reservations about administration within any group (church, nation, social groups, work, etc), it does not warrant defiance or mass action. We could be very wrong in our assertions as a group, no matter how appealing our views may be. Do not be misled by popular support and similar sentiments in taking the wrong step of rebelling against God-ordained leadership.

Lastly, we must be careful to guard our zeal. The Levites were zealous for God and stood when all other tribes went astray in Exodus 32:25-26. The Bible says in Romans 10:2 ‘For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge’. Zeal, simply explained as a strong desire, can be misplaced. We need to balance our desire with knowledge. Sad to say that many a time, our expression of passion for change is without the attendant knowledge. In many fields of society, it is common truth that experts do not talk much. These people have built a wealth of knowledge that has made them appreciate things, for which reason they would not be in a haste to castigate others. Knowledge tames zeal; without it, actions motivated by zeal alone could be destructive. The next time you want to confront leadership, be careful to be sure you are well informed.

In conclusion, the story of Korah, Dathan, Abiram and the 250 men provides an invaluable lesson to Christians on how to engage leaders on issues we disagree with. Our duty as people being led is, first, to obey God by obeying leadership. We must not discount the authority of God bestowed on our leaders and seek to exalt ourselves any higher. We can offer constructive suggestions through appropriate channels and continually pray for our leaders for God to guide them in their duties. Our standard of conduct is the word of God, and not any other ‘rule’. We should be guided by it always. Social media could mislead us into thinking we are pleading a just cause. Likes, comments, views and shares are not a measure of what God approves: we must be careful not to be swayed by that.

Prior to publicly criticizing God’s chosen leaders, be sure to ask yourself these questions:

1. Will my action bring glory to God?
2. Is my action motivated by a genuine love for God?
3. Have I prayed for the leaders I am about to criticize?
4. Have I exhausted all other channels of making my concerns known?

If your answer to any of these is a no, take a breather and reconsider your actions.

The Lord bless our nation. The Lord bless his church. Amen.

Written by P/Overseer Enoch Ofori Kwarteng (Asantekwa District, Kintampo Area)

Introduction

Between September 15 and October, the Volta River Authority (VRA) conducted a “controlled spillage” of water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams. This is the 11th since the inauguration of Akosombo Dam in 1965. The spillage submerged vast area of land downstream in the Volta, Oti, and Eastern regions of Ghana. Media reports suggest that more than 50,000 people were displaced, while homes, farms, and livelihoods washed away. This created severe environmental damage, economic crisis, disruptions in education and increased hardships for vulnerable individuals. Additionally, experts raised concerns about a potential public health epidemic that could follow the flood disaster. Generally, the situation is described as a humanitarian crisis by many.

While the VRA and the National Disaster Management Organization argue that the spillage was a necessary action to prevent a catastrophic dam rupture, there are critical questions about the management of the process and its consequences on both the ecosystem and society. Notwithstanding, this article primarily focuses on the factors contributing to the variation in water levels in dams such as Akosombo, Kpong, and Weija, leading to spillage disasters in recent years.

Historical Water Level Concerns

The operational water levels for the Akosombo dam ranges between 240.00ft and 278.00ft. Deviations beyond these limits have serious implications for hydroelectric power supply, the environment, life, and property. Historical data, such as research conducted by Eric Ocran in 2015, reveals that the lowest recorded water level occurred in 1966 (234.00ft), while the highest was noted in 2010 (277.54ft).

Although concerns exist regarding both low and high water levels, the prolonged focus had been on the lower values. This concern was substantiated by Eric Ocran’s work in 2015, which indicated a potential fall of levels below 226.00ft, which could cause all the turbines in the dam to shut down. Several researches raised similar concerns about the declining water volume in the dam. Beyond that, the Daily Graphic newspaper reported on a group of pastors who prayed at the dam site to avert a potential prolonged electrical power shortage due to low water levels.

In recent years, however, the situation has reversed and the dams are overflowing. Considering that the VRA attributes this year’s spillage to the water level rise to approximately 276ft, several factors may be accountable for the overflows. Some include lower temperatures/evaporation, increased inflows from tributaries, and developments along river courses. Another might be reduced water consumption in the dam for electricity generation due to the construction of the Bui Dam and the installation of thermal plants.

Climate Change as a Significant Factor

All the factors, notwithstanding, a fundamental question could be whether climate variation is a primary contributory factor. According to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Climate Change is long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, caused by the prolonged accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the atmosphere, and results in more frequent and unpredictable extreme weather events.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), supports this perspective, through data from observations on ground, air, and space, with computer models, that changes in global land and ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, and shifts in extreme weather patterns, such as hurricanes, heatwaves, floods, and precipitation, are associated with climate change.

Local Impact of Climate Change

In a study conducted by Frederick Ebert Stiftung, with the Ghana Agricultural Workers Union, it revealed that Ghana has experienced extreme weather events over the past five years, including severe droughts and heavy rainfall. These events have had devastating effects on agricultural workers and pose significant vulnerabilities to infrastructure, public health, and ecosystems. The World Bank Group’s Ghana Country Climate and Development Report 2022 warns of flooding and drought as consequences of climate change in the country. The report strongly advises the government to establish early warning systems and safety nets for vulnerable communities.

Akosombo Dam Case

Analysing the Akosombo Dam’s situation reveals a notable surge in water levels to about 276ft. This surge is a sharp contrast to the situation in the recent past when the dam was at risk of drying up. Authorities consistently attribute the increased water volume to heavy rainfall, a claim supported by data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency. In addition to heavy rainfall, falling temperatures in the region have significantly reduced water loss from the dam due to reduced evaporation.

Conclusion: The Case for Climate Change Mitigation

The evidence strongly suggests that the overflowing dams in Ghana are indicative of the influence of climate pressures. Urgent measures are required to mitigate the impact on vulnerable communities. There is, therefore, the need to take proactive steps, such as investments in Artificial Intelligent tools for hydroclimatology, runoff modelling, remote sensing, and satellite data for early detection of climate pressures, to determine appropriate responses. Additionally, institutions like the VRA should conduct comprehensive assessments of the estuaries, addressing challenges such as silting in the areas before conducting such massive spillages.

Written by David Kyetong Guun (dkguun@pentvars.edu.gh)

The call to repentance is important and must not be neglected. It is entirely accurate to say that it is the first word of the gospel. I shall attempt to explain what repentance means, dive deep into the scriptures, and look at some characters who used the word “repent” at the beginning of their ministries.

Is repentance something we must do before we can come to God? Yes and no. Repentance does not describe something we must do before we come to God; it describes what coming to God is like. If you are in Otsenkorang in the Agona Swedru Area, and I tell you to come to Nsonan, I don’t need to say, “Leave Otsenkorang and come to Nsonan.” To come to Nsonan is to leave Otsenkorang, and if I haven’t left Otsenkorang, I certainly haven’t come to Nsonan. We can’t come to the kingdom of Heaven unless we leave our sin and the self-life. So, repentance is leaving your old self (the world) for a new life in Jesus Christ.

• The first word of John the Baptist’s gospel, whose work was to pave the way for the Messiah, was “REPENT.”

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!'” – Matthew 3:1-2, NKJV.

In the above scripture, John wanted people to know that the kingdom of heaven was near – as close as their hand. It wasn’t as distant or dreamy as they had imagined. This is why John was so urgent in his call to repentance. If the kingdom of Heaven is at hand, then we must get ready now. Beloved, everything around us shows that the kingdom is near. Are you ready to repent?

• “Repent” was also the first word of Jesus’ gospel.

“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” – Matthew 4:17, NKJV.

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.'” – Mark 1:14-15, NKJV.

So, from these two scriptures, we see how Jesus’s ministry began. Jesus, being God, knew how repentance was key in the lives of the Gentiles and the Jews. The sad news is that the Jews thought that they didn’t need any repentance rather than the Gentiles. That is why John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees “Brood of vipers.” These two groups represented the leadership of Judaism.

According to these two groups, John’s baptism in water was meant for only Gentiles and not them. Because they wanted to show the world how ready they were for the Messiah, though they had not truly repented.

John reminded them that real repentance will show itself in life. It must be a matter of living repentance, not just talking repentance. We must live a life worthy of the calling that we have received from our Lord Jesus. Most Christians do not live up to the standard of the kingdom. We must live the gospel and share it with others.

• “Repent” was the first word of exhortation in the first Christian sermon.

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38, NKJV.

The church was formed out of the call to repentance. After the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the early fathers stood with boldness and preached on repentance. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we cannot speak or preach on repentance. One of the works of the Holy Spirit is to cause the believer to witness the lost souls.

PREPARATIONS TO MAKE BEFORE SPEAKING ON REPENTANCE TO OTHERS

• Personal Repentance: It’s important to engage in introspection and reflection before discussing repentance with others. Repentance is a spiritual and personal practice, not just a theoretical idea. Make sure you have truly confessed your transgressions and faults, as this sincerity will give your message weight.

• Knowledge and Understanding: Gain a thorough grasp of how your religious tradition views repentance. Examine the pertinent biblical passages, lessons, and theological stances regarding repentance. Having this knowledge will enable you to provide your message with a strong foundation.

• Prayer and Spiritual Reflection: Spend some time in prayer and spiritual reflection as a means of preparing yourself spiritually. Seek advice from mentors, clergy, or religious authorities to make sure you are spiritually ready to discuss repentance.

• Kindness and Understanding: For each person, repentance is a delicate and private matter. Be sensitive and understanding when discussing the subject. Recognize that sorrow, guilt, or feelings of unworthiness can be difficult for some people. Offer hope, support, and a way to atone in your message.

• Do Not Judge: When talking about repentance, do not adopt a critical or priggish tone. Remind people that everyone experiences regret and that everyone is prone to making mistakes and sinning.

• Individual Journey of Repentance: Remember that each person has a different journey of repentance. Therefore, encourage them to come to their own conclusions about their faith and methods for asking for forgiveness.

In conclusion, we must endeavor to share the gospel wherever we find ourselves. We must recall that offering words of repentance is a holy obligation that can profoundly influence people’s spiritual development. With humility, compassion, and a genuine desire to assist others in returning to their faith and their relationship with God, approach this responsibility. We must live a life of integrity and remain holy for the Lord.

Written by P/Ovr. Solomon Boadi (Otsenkorang District, Agona Swedru Area)