Christians and Politics

CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS
Let’s just start off with the real big question; should Christians be involved in politics?

To arrive at a more truthful, convincing and revealing answer, why don’t we examine the true essence and grass root of politics. The word politics was derived from the original Greek word “POLITIKA”, translates as, the affairs of the cities. In fact, the entire system of democracy and politics as practiced globally today could be said to have originated from ancient Greece, in the city state of Athens. However, in the democracy and politics of ancient Greece, for one to qualify and join the decision making senate, one must be muscular, very fit (healthy) and have an experience in warfare on behalf of the state. Hence, women and children were excluded from ancient democracy and politics.

The issue of Christians engaging in politics is one that comes with diverse views from many people.  For example, in some few Christian sects and other religions, they believe that Christians must not be engaged in politics especially as Jesus Christ was not a political figure and also due to the crude measures used by most politicians today. However, some other Christian sects (obviously the dominant ones) believe that they have been mandated by God to take dominion over controlling systems and manifest the will of God by acting and living right. Support of their divine claim is found many times in the holy Bible. (Read from Matthew 5:13-16, Genesis 1:26 and many more). The truth is everyone longs for peace, love, comfort, progress, development, unity, and all that will ensure a peaceful world for all humans. This is the more reason why politics, the affairs of the cities, becomes a necessity. Leaders will have to be chosen who will take effective and transformational decisions aimed at improving the welfare of the people as well as ensuring a harmonious environment for growth and development.

That notwithstanding, it is key to note that even before politics became the order of the day, leadership has always been the norm. For no society can ever live without leaders. In the so called “a cephalous societies”, there were still leaders who were heads of clans and families. Politics and democracy is just one medium that has been globally accepted for obtaining leaders and sustaining the human environment for peaceful co-existence instead of the ancient kingship system. In my opinion, I firmly and strongly say that Christians must be involved in real leadership by taking over political offices and sanctifying such portfolios by acting right and taking humanitarian decisions. A key example of Christian leadership can be seen in the actions and decisions of Donald J. Trump, the 45th president of the United States of America. Another notable exemplary one is seen in the case of the 5th president of the 4th republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo.
God bless Ghana and may he raise unconventional leaders who will live their lives every day thinking about how to make a positive impact and transform the lives of their followers for the best other than amassing wealth just for their individual families.

By: Godwin Yao Delali Degbey
        (The Builder)
President of The Student Leadership Club – Ghana.
        UCC chapter
     (0267235540)

A letter to Ghanaians

If you think the future is bright, then start acting right. -The Builder

A letter to Ghanaians.

Not too long ago, we have all witnessed the swearing in ceremony of our new President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, making him the 5th president of the 4th Republic of Ghana. The world believes he gave a great speech which is undoubtedly true. In my opinion, he made a lot of tipping point statements which will genuinely transform the mind, heart and deeds of many Ghanaians who will take off their political lenses and be ready for effective transformation of the Ghanaian society.  Critics with no constructive intents have started criticising and making allegations of plagiarism and the likes. You and I know that it is only lazy people and detractors who complain about what you do without knowing what exactly is the right thing to do. Pause!

But i want to know, at this moment, What runs through your mind as a citizen of Ghana; be it a proud one or not?
Reading from social media, following posts of several notable people in the Ghanaian society, and then observing media comments of citizens in the country; I'm asking again, "what future do you envision for Ghana"? 

I've already noticed the comedians making fun of many critical issues just to win and grow their audience forgetting the picture they are painting and the message they are sending across about the state of affairs of this nation. I am wondering if we, as a people, would ever get serious on anything. Fine, we pride ourselves over having a good sense of humour and all that but what role does it play in our development?  This is a nation where people wouldn't mind standing in front of dying men, not for the purpose of helping them, but only to take a selfie with tags such as, "dying is bae", among many other ridiculous ones. We hail the jokers and ignore the serious citizens for reasons only you can decide best.

I'm certain we all know that a society is not built by unnecessary jokes, funny commentaries and unconstructive criticisms, but rather by dint of hard work, determination and a will to do better. This is definitely how great nations are built. Let's go and ask China, USA, Singapore ,Germany, just to mention a few. Rwanda may know better: having been thrown into a state of lawlessness and experiencing probably the most brutal of any civil war ever registered in human civilisation, they have now began a reconstructive process of making their nation great and strong. They are cruising with a positivity that was hitherto alien to their rather polarised and highly ethnocentric society. They wish they didn't have to learn this the hard way.


The future i envisage for Ghana is an extraordinary and glorious one. One that has never existed before, not on any other continent. However glorious it may be, it comes with a price, a change in mental makeup and a change in attitude. What I mean is a complete paradigm shift in our perceptions and our approach to national issues. Instead of unnecessary criticisms, let's adapt to the constructive approach. If you have thought and believed in your conviction that indeed the future of Ghana is bright, then i suppose you know this is the time to act right. As you may already be aware of, It takes more than a positive conviction to get a breakthrough, action must follow. For whatever is bright only remains so when the conditions are right. If you refuse to take those petty bribes and remain sincere and transparent in all your endeavors as a Ghanaian, then you are building that bright future that we want. Don't expect what you don't give; don't take bribes and expect the government officials to reject it. Charity begins at home but it ends at the public arena.

All I'm saying is this; the greatest form of leadership is self leadership. It is true that we have Presidents and societal leaders. But let's play our active roles and act rightly to develop our motherland. So help us Lord!!

Yours sincerely,

©Godwin Delali Degbey
Founder, TSLC-Ghana.
      (The Builder)
www.buildersforum.blogspot.com