PRAYERS VS TERRORISM

Should there be a terrorist plot against Ghana and indeed any other Afican country like it happened in Kenya will it take prayer or adequate security measures to avert any such incident? As reported earlier last week, the British Government issued a security alert to its citizens and visitors travelling to Ghana of an eminent terrorist attack. Stating that there is underling threat from terrorist against Ghana , “ Around 70,000 British nationals visits Ghana every year. While most visits are trouble free, violent crime can occur at any time. Be particularly vigilant in public areas and take care when traveling by road”. The Statement specifically noted that there may be localized outbreak of civil unrest on short notice in the Northern Region of Ghana. This was published on 26th September 2013 on UK’s government website www.gov.uk and in fact is deemed current even as at the time of publishing this article. The British government further advised that anyone visiting Ghana should take a comprehensive travel and medical insurance. Although it did not state the reason of the possible attack, it is believed that Ghana has become a target due to her involvement in a military operations Mali. Interestingly, Prophet T.B Joshua of the Synagogue of all nation church with its headquarters in Nigeria is reported to have added his “prophetic” voice to this caution by calling on his congregation to fast and pray against a terrorist plot which will involve two West African countries. Refusing to mention which those two countries are, he called for a re-enforcement at state institutions such the legislature since according to him such places are the main targets. The Prophet says God revealed it to him. But the question is, is it about prayers? If that is the solution then this is where I say Ghana has no problem at all. In Ghana today, prayers have become more like a national affair and a daily life style of the people. There are many religious groups scattered all over the country. Unlike security post or police stations, prayer centers are found virtually in almost every suburb, community, town and cities. In fact every corner of the country is flooded with churches and mosques. Just to mention but a few, an intercessory group such as “Aglow “( a non-denominational women prayer group) on regular bases meet every last Saturday of each month. This prayer session goes on simultaneously in every regional capital of the country with the national one held in Accra at the independence square. There is also “All Believers All Night” which is organized by one of Ghana’s prominent radio preachers, Rev. Owusu Ansah. The program which rotates in various selected churches is also held every last Friday of each month. This late night 6 hour program does not only take place in the church auditorium, it is also broadcast live on all the media networks of Multi-Media Group of companies and its international affiliates as well. In addition to the above mentioned are numerous church activities such as crusades, revival and prayer conferences by organized different bodies that I cannot mention. Most of these meetings do not end without a prayer for the peace and stability of the country and in fact for the entire sub-regions. The Muslim community also has their regular prayers especially the Friday prayers at the central mosque in Accra places greater emphasis on the peace of Ghana through the prayers. Talk of those other religion such as the traditionalist led by the chiefs,they are all praying one way or the other for God to continue to sustain the peace Ghanaians are enjoying. This became more evident in the just ended electoral dispute. Every notable religious group came out to pray for the land and for most Ghanaians, it is prayers that sustains Ghana’s peace and political tolerance. Therefore as for Ghanaians fasting and praying as a solution to avert a terrorist attack, It would not be a big issue because it appears that is what the people know to do best. Ghanaians apply “Nyame beye’ literarily meaning God will do it to every life situation. But when it comes to national security, well there is very little i can say about that. frankly I don’t know how prepared is Ghana’s national security system and how it can meet the pressure or even prevent a terrorist attack. However, with an assurance from the President of his security institutions readiness in case of any such incident, all one can hope is for Ghana or any other country for that matter is spared of anymore attack. Terrorism has claimed too many precious lives and it is about time we all make a it point to stop it occurrences. Let us make this world a better place.

A YOUNG ICON FOR GHANA

It is a Saturday morning and as I flipped through the TV channels a proggrame on NBC caught my attention. It is "The Young Icon" one of America's TV shows which celebrates children who are doing exploit with their talents in various forms. It was a 14 year old Tyler Page who was telling his story of how he is helping kids in Ghana- West Africa. According to him, he was watching one of Oprah's shows at age 9 with his mother about children trafficked into child labour to work in fishing communities that he felt he should do something to help. Narrating his story on the Young Icons, Tyler said he felt very sad that children of his age are mistreated and made to work as adult under extreme hazardous conditions. He then decided with the permission from his Mum to start raising funds by selling his toys and other items in a garage sales and car washing etc with his friends to save some of these children. That led him to establish a Non-Profit Organization called Kids Helping Kids. He thought he would try to raise $240, the amount it would take a one to rescue a Ghanaian child for one year. In 6 months, they raised $19,000! an amount much more than the 240 they expected. And by a year later, they had raised $50,000! However he felt the need to do more because he knew there are many more children to be recued. So far through the help of other philanthropists and some volunteers,he has realized his dream and has gone to the aid of several children in Ghana. Realising his simple dream of raising money to save just a kid turned into a project gave him the urge to do more. Kids Helping Kids dose not only save these children, the also put them in schools and provide them with basic needs such as school uniforms, books bag packs among others.

Now though as a teenager who lives his life as any other kid, he is a Young Icon whose life is an inspiration. "people tell me I'm an inspiration but I don't feel like it..." he humbly said.Putting smiles on the faces of these children is his way of life. Tyler hopes to raise $500,000 to save more children not only in Ghana but in other African countries as well. He also expressed his future plans of building a center of hope for these under privileged children. His story like many other NGOs in the Area of helping Children particularly the needy caught my attention. I have worked as a journalist in the field of child labour and child trafficking and I know what it means to give hope and put a smile on the faces of these children who through no fault of theirs are made to work against their will while their childhood is stolen away from them. This article is to encourage Tyler Page of Kids Helping Kids for his good works in Ghana.

THE AL-SHABAB, A POLITICAL ORGANISATION OR A RELIGION?

I have read a lot of articles and comments on the internet as well as the social media concerning the barbaric and grotesque attack at the Kenyan West gate shopping mall on Saturday, 21 August 2013, which had claimed at least 62 lives according to the guardian report: "Kenya's interior minister Joseph Ole Lenku said that it was unlikely that any more hostages were being held in the mall where the attack killed at least 62 people, including at least six Britons". Victims came from many countries including Britain, Australia, Canada, France, China, India, Ghana and the Netherlands. For Ghana, we have lost an illustrious son Kofi Awoonor Williams; a poet an author, diplomat, academic and a former chairman of council of state. May your untimely soul rest in peace and for the mind that masterminded the mysterious gun never have peace on this earth and the hand that pulled the trigger be torn to shreds. Those idle brains who clandestine their acts under the umbrella of religion knows nothing but misconstrues the scriptures. The more I read them the more I become sad and sad. Then I begin to think and ask God a simple question, when is the judgment day? Why is God not giving instant judgment and to punish those who takes the lives of their fellow innocent human beings? are we safe in this world of ours? I had a heated argument with some of my colleagues the other day concerning wrong doers and the judgment day. My point was that God should have made heaven and hell visible to mankind for at least it will instill much fear into the hearts of men when they think evil. Their point was also that no matter how horrible hell will look like if it is visible, some people will still opt to go there (hell) and will therefore do evil. God has actually hidden something from us I concluded. Man do not believes God's word, it is a fact, not even the religious leaders, some of them rattled the scriptures with their tongue not in their hearts and when they retire to bed they think differently. Some of the comments or reactions that at times we hear from our religious leaders on sensitive religious issues only add more confusion to our already blogged mind on religion, disgusting and leaves much to be desired. So the question again is, are we being deceived or mislead? It is a fact again that majority of people in the world (with the exception of Africans because we believe in the goodness of everything the Whites brought) believes that the scriptures were written by men and they were NOT even inspired by God to write it but something to deceive. Yes, you can call me a shallow thinker, an atheist or whatever for I will not take a religious stance here but as a social commentator, I free my mind of all impurities with impunity. Just like my friend's article on GhanaWeb yesterday, The Al-Shabab, the ugly side of religion, he was attacked from all corners from both Muslims and Christians, chided and some calling him names just because he expressed his opinion on religion. Why are we so fixated on religion like that? Isn't it a delusion that we believe.....? I concur with my friends words "... none of the founders of these so-called religions ever preached based on religious followership. They all preached on the love for one’s neighbor, tolerance, and peace". So where is the love? Where is the peace of your religion? The scriptures cannot walk and talk peace, it is you who have to practice what you preach! - Peace. Whether the scriptures were written by man or not, has religion not done more good than harm? Is Al-Shabab a religion or a political organisation? When the name "Al-shabab" is mention, what readily comes to mind in sequence is Arabic language - Islam - Muslims - suicide bombers and terrorists. Is everything in Arabic Islamic? And therefore must be perpetuated by Muslims? I do not want to defend any religion but help me distressed my boggled mind, where do rebels get their funds from? There must be someone facilitating their activities. Is it from the politician or from a religious body? It is an undeniable fact that both the Quran and the Bible have verses or chapters that if we want to follow them or put them into practice we will only end up harming ourselves and denying peace in our existence, nonetheless there are avalanche of chapters and verses in our scriptures that speak and teaches love, peace, unity and forgiveness among mankind. Why chose to practice the few ambiguous ones that never makes the world a better place to be? I came across a farcical article purported to have been reported by one Elijah Lamau to the BBC on the shooting incidence inside the mall, that the gunmen had told Muslims to leave and said non-Muslims would be targeted and that the gunmen further said, “If you are a Muslim, stand up. We’ve come to rescue you.” “The Muslims left with their hands up.” Why did the others also not stand up and raise their hands and left free since proclaiming as a Muslim by standing up and raising your hand could set you free? Or they wanted to defend their religion? This is not convincing in all human senses. It is sensational journalism and nothing else. I was expecting to read something like they (the gunmen) inspected their ID card to confirm their Muslim names before letting them go. Gruesome attacks likes this and the like of the activities Boko haram should be condemned in totality rather than attributing it to the believes of a religion, but for me it is more political than religious. Article by Chibaro Ali

NON MUSLIMS KILLED IN KENYA'S ATTACK.

Last Saturday about 62 people were killed and over 200 others injured according to media reports in a terrorist attack in Kenya's capital Nairobi. The attack claimed by an Al-shabab, a Somali Militant group was based on ones religious belief. Most of the People who died or injured are said to be those who responded NO to the question " are you a Muslim". Some also were killed as a result of their inability to recite a Muslim prayer. After almost 2-days into the tragedy, the attackers believed to be 10-15 in number are still holding up hostages although some have been able to escape alive. Eye witness account says gunshots were fired from various point of the WestGate Shopping Mall creating a chaotic scene as terrified innocent civilians run for their lives.

Some Ghanaians were victims of this attack. Notably amongst them is a renowned poet, a scholar and a Statesman Pro. George Awoonor- Williams known in public life as Pro. Kofi Awoonor who was scheduled to perform at the Storymoja Hay Festival, a four-day celebration of writing, thinking and storytelling. He was due to perform on the evening of his death. The Ghanaian government confirmed his death the next day.The 78 year old Professor was accompanied to the mall by his son to have a breakfast together when the unfortunate incident occurred. His son who severely wounded is currently receiving treatment. I am tempted to ask did he also die because of his religion or he just fell victim to a random shooting? A great master,a voice of tranquility you are gone but your works will leave on. REST IN PEACE. Biography[wikipedia] Awoonor was born in Ghana when it was still called the Gold Coast. He was educated at Achimota School and then proceeded to the University of Ghana. He taught African literature at the University of Ghana. While at the University of Ghana he wrote his first poetry book, Rediscovery, published in 1964. Like the rest of his work, Rediscovery is based on African oral poetry. In Ghana, he managed the Ghana Film Corporation and founded the Ghana Play House. His early works were inspired by the singing and verse of his native Ewe people. He then studied literature at the University of London, and while in England he wrote several radio plays for the BBC. He spent the early 1970s in the United States, studying and teaching at universities. While in the USA he wrote This Earth, My Brother, and My Blood. Awoonor returned to Ghana in 1975 as head of the English department at the University of Cape Coast. Within months he was arrested for helping a soldier accused of trying to overthrow the military government and was imprisoned without trial and was later released. The house by the Sea is about his time in jail. After imprisonment Awoonor became politically active and has written mostly nonfiction. From 1990 to 1994 Awoonor was Ghana's Ambassador to the United Nations where he headed the committee against apartheid. He was also a former Chairman of the Council of State.

Former Opposition Leader Nana Addo Worships With Muslims

Nana Addo and Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Shaributu New Patriotic Party(NPP) 2012 presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo on Friday worshiped with muslims at the Abose Okai Central mosque in Accra. He was accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; NPP National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey among other dignitaries in the NPP The gesture according to party executives is to further foster peace among Ghanaians and to also expressed gratitude to the muslim community for their support for the party. In a brief welcome address, the chief Imam Sheikh Dr Nuhu Shaributu congratulated Nana Addo for showing his true sene of patriotism and political tolerance by accepting the just ended Supreme court verdict over the 2012 general election. He added that his quick acceptance and response to the verdict eased the tension in the country. Ghana's Supreme Court on 29 August dismissed an appeal by the opposition to annul President John Mahama's narrow victory in last year's disputed election. The NPP had alleged that Mr Mahama won the election fraudulently, a charge his NDC party denied. Although Nana Akufo-Addo earlier said he was disappointed but accepted the verdict and urged his supporters to do likewise. Ghana is generally seen as a beacon of democracy in the region. The court case was broadcast live on television and radio in a rare sign of judicial transparency in Africa. credit....peacefmonline.com