"Ghanaians Lack Courage"

A major challenge that face Ghanaians is the lack of courage to tell the truth and point out the wrong doings and mistakes of the nation�s leaders and other persons in responsible positions. The Right Reverend Samson Yamoah, Bishop of Wenchi Diocese of the Methodist Church of Ghana who made the assertion at the weekend, emphasized that �people are not bold enough to hold the bull by the horns in pointing out the wrongs in society for fear of intimidation and victimization by the powers that be�. The Bishop was delivering the sermon at the end of this year�s camp meeting of members of the diocese, which was under the theme �Choose whom you will serve�, taken from the Book of Joshua, Chapter 24 verse 15. �In the dispensation of true and successful democratic governance the elimination of the principle of checks and balances cannot allow the government or authority concerned to realize its goals or to meet the expectations of the people�, he stated. Rt Rev Yamoah entreated persons entrusted with responsible positions and roles to listen to the views of subordinates and accept their mistakes when pointed out to them to enable them to serve the governed better. �Until Ghanaians are able to tell the truth to correct our leaders of their mistakes, they cannot do the right thing that would please and encourage the citizens to contribute effectively to the development of the nation�, he added. Bishop Yamoah emphasized that since everybody is fallible, our leaders should not take offence when their shortfalls and mistakes are pointed out to them as that would help them to live above reproach. Bishop Yamoah noted that Ghana was blessed with fertile land for agricultural purposes and minerals for economic development and there was the need for the citizens to maintain the peace and stability for the benefit of posterity. He prayed God to touch the hearts of people entrusted with responsibilities in the December general election so they would be truthful and transparent in their activities to guarantee a peaceful and successful exercise. On the theme for the camp meeting Bishop Yamoah expressed concern about how a number of Christians patronized shrines to seek help from �smaller gods� and advised such Christians to desist from the practice and rather worship God in sincerity and truthfulness. �It is unfortunate the Israelites forgot all the good things that God did for them after being taken out of slavery and rather accused Him, which made Joshua to advise them to choose between worshipping the Almighty God and any other god they preferred�, he said. Bishop Yamoah stressed that life was not a race and that everyone should be content with his or her position and never be envious in life as God knew the best and had time for every individual. He expressed regret about the proliferation of churches in Ghana in the midst of the occurrence of the perpetration of social vices among the people, especially the youth, and asked Christians to always let the fear of God guide them in all their endeavours. This, the Bishop stated, will enable true Christians to receive the blessings of God and become successful in life and reminded that there would be judgment for all mankind, hence the need for each and everyone to worship Him in truth.