Welcome 2012 - Peace and Many Blessings!

“The reward of righteousness is not the work of our hands but the work of our Lord. Peace is of God…Now if you are of God where is your peace?” E.A Faithson.



We have just come from the spirit of the birth of our Lord Jesus. Still in the mood of celebration the world is yet again being ushered into another milestone called New Year. Interestingly more than a season or event, both Christmas and the New Year carries a strong message. Christmas reminds us of the peace of God whilst the New Year assures us of hope and good things in the year. The still small voice then is... Do not fear…it is well!

With these interesting seasons ushering us into the future, contentions of the year seem to have been graciously taken care of and now we the beneficiaries stand no more in fear or accused except in hope of better times! Time changes, every season has its own situations. All the days are not the same and so are the years. The year 2012 is an important year in the history of our country especially as it ushers us into general elections.

But one may ask, what is the way forward for our peace and development? Surely this is a ransom question that comes with a handsome reward. Our Human life experience teaches us many great lessons and experiences. For instances we know how by ourselves can do many things and also how by our own selves can not do everything.

We are the ones who join to fight for independence, elect leaders and build a nation and also the same ones who join to bring down leaders and break laws. We seem to have so much power in our hands yet we are never are fulfilled by the works of our hands. This reveals how by our human nature we are both strong and weak. It is makes reason therefore saying in these two world or states of life that you can’t eat your cake and have it.

This is where the significance of the spirit of Christmas comes in. On Christmas we learn how Christ won the honour of His God and the respect of world by a selfless sacrifice. By showing the world He loves and care for their need, Jesus gave His life for a ransom. It did not come easy. He did not only tell the people what to do, He did it for us to see! This is it. Until you give your life as a ‘ransom’ sacrifice you can not or better still, do not deserve a handsome reward.

This is truly a message for Ghanaians and for politicians as we prepare to face the times ahead and for elections We often tell others, don’t do this…do that and yet fail to stand up for the same cause. Leaders are often guilty in this blackmail. They try to tell their people what to do or what they will but we don’t have what they have done for us to see.Don’t tell me what to do…do it for me to see! This slogan is quite instructive to our times and situation. Soon politicians will be coming to us campaigning for elections. Needless to say the political temperature is likely to rise.

But the fact still remains that we can’t eat the chicken that lays the egg and still hope or wish to have eggs for breakfast or dinner!Necessity is laid on us; we must all give up something, our pleasure for the destiny of our future and nation. As a nation when we look forward into the year and future, what do we see; do we see a people proud and respectful of each other’s life, a united people where we are each other’s keeper or a nation where we are at each other’s throat?

Research shows that the day a year begins is often the same day the year ends. It is said in the local dialect ‘agro beso a, efre anopa.’ Literally meaning, if the day will end well the early days will show. The way you start will show the way you will end. This is a truism that must guide us into the future. Though we may not all be Christians, we all believe in God.

The inspirations in the Christian song ‘stand up stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross’ may mean more to the consolidation of our cherished peace. On these bases we rewrite the words ‘stand up, stand for peace you soldiers of God.’ To be a soldier is to give up your life for another. No good soldier keeps his life. The Christmas spirit is the way for us to go in our quest for peace.

Rather than engage in divisive tendencies and violent speech and exchanges we must make every effort to engage each other in love and in respect. Our politics, governance, social, religious and developmental life style must have a new focus and reflection.There must be no place or room given to arrogance, pride, greed or selfishness.

Such behavior of people must be strictly condemned without reservation. It is about time we called a spade a spade if we truly desire the best for ourselves, people and country. Our country is of age and we must well behave beyond petty political squabbling and mischief. We are the ones who as one rose, fighting for political independence. Thank goodness we have it; our fight must now be geared towards freedom thus self reliance and maturity.

The people must be the ones who own their economy and control their future rather than focus on other people or politicians to do it or own it for them. We must all work diligently and with a selfless desire to achieve for selves and for others and our country peace and prosperity without putting first our wicked selfish interest. We must look not only for competence and skills in those who seek our mandate but see also in all knowledge and all utterances the manifestation of peace, humility and respect in the life of those who desire to rule us.

Indeed we should all value peace and resolve that only people who offer to give their lives for us truly deserves the handsome reward of our vote and power. Don’t tell me what you can do…show me what you have done! When you sow peace for life there is given to you for a reward peace for peace! Reach out a hand, touch a brother’s hand and shake your hands gently and together say…Peace for peace!

May Ghana rise to give and offer peace that we might find peace in the midst of the year! Que Dieu te benice au Ghana. May God bless you Ghana!