The Head Pastor of Elim City Church in Sunyani, Dr Gospel Odame-Kentoe, has urged Ghanaians to mend their ways in order to reduce temptations that lead to corruption.
In an interaction with newsmen on the prospects of the year 2016, the pastor observed that Ghana’s socio-economic and political woes could be attributed to two main factors— “our relationship with God and the canker of corruption.”
The man of God, who is also a Magistrate in the United Kingdom, questioned the closeness of Ghanaians to their maker, how seriously they take His word and serve him and humanity.
Quoting extensively from the Bible, he said sometimes, in their disappointment, Ghanaians forsook their faith in despair, forgetting that “when we look up to God, he can turn the tide around in our favour.” “If Ghanaians want to see real change in their affairs, they need to get serious with the things of God, who never fails or disappoints,” he said.
Corruption
Dr Odame-Kentoe described as ‘disturbing’ the high prevalence of corrupt practices in the society. He explained that society had set a high social standard that everyone (low or high) aspired to meet.
“Public and civil servants, politicians, traders, businessmen and even students, traditional rulers and a section of the clergy will pay their way through to gain social recognition,” he stated.
Social standards
Dr Odame-Kentoe lamented that the average Ghanaian lived above the pay grid, just to fit into society and be counted among the rich or movers and shakers of society.
“We create situations where we can dupe and enrich ourselves to show off or meet the standards of society; everyone wants to travel abroad, make money and show off. We shun simple things, so even if we steal to make it, it’s seen as normal.
“Remember that our identity has nothing to do with how much wealth we accumulate, so let’s simplify things for our own good and that of the nation,” he stressed.
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