The President of the Trinity Theological Seminary, Very Rev. Prof. Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, has suggested that traditional rulers have great lessons to learn from the symbols associated with their offices to guide them to become agents of morality and service to their people.
Addressing the gathering of royals at the Royals Conference organised by The Church of Pentecost under the theme, ‘Moral Vision and National Development: The Role of Traditional Rulers’ underway at Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh, Very Rev. Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu said royalty is associated with symbols that are to serve as constant reminders to them in the discharge of their duties.
‘The symbols, colours, names and appellations are not there to make you swollen-headed but to draw your attention to serve,’ he reminded the gathering.
The theologian emphasised that the symbols of office of chiefs and their jurisdictions are not chosen at random but serve as memorials, encouragement, instructions and status, and thus should be a constant reflection of their personality and deeds.
Referencing the Fante names of the months in the year, Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu stated that they point to prudent use of time. He observed that one of the things royals need to help change in society is the use of time.
‘One of the things we are joking with in this country is the use of time, and anyone who doesn’t respect time will live in a corrupt society because when time catches you by you want to catch up and that makes you cut corners’, he stressed.
He regretted that the nation’s leaders; politicians and traditional rulers are aiding in the perpetuation of a lack of shame in the Ghanaian society.
‘One of the things I’m ashamed of is the lack of shame. When the law catches up with someone, you see politicians gathering at the courts in the name of solidarity. You can’t provide moral support for an act that is immoral,’ he indicated.
He noted that patriotic songs of the country highlight the need for the citizenry to be selfless and morally upright. He stressed that renowned songwriter, Dr Ephraim Amu, described greed as disability because it robs the nation of progress and lack of commitment to moral development as disgraceful.
Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu entreated the royals to submit to Christ as there is no symbol that surpasses the sovereignty and supremacy of God.
‘Your personality is a symbol, and it is sacred. There are things you are expected to do and not to do. There are critical lessons of morality, ethics and service associated with your position as a traditional ruler and you must take them seriously,’ he admonished.
He recommended that the rich symbols of the nation must be incorporated into the educational system of Ghana to make morality a central theme in the development agenda of the nation.
‘There are many great moral lessons in symbols to guide decision-making and ethical behaviour that will serve as examples of morals in society and inform what we want to teach. Let us imbibe them,’ he concluded.
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