THEME: THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL REVERSAL OF NATIONAL CHARACTER 

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, says the Preacher. Ghana has been struck by a mighty bolt. The spirit of vanity—a general predicament of man—has risen to heights unheard of, unseen, and unprecedented in the history of the nation. The Ghanaian, generally known as humble, modest, God-conscious, hospitable, caring, and friendly has in recent years become an arrogant, self-centered, materialistic, indifferent, idolatrous, and flamboyant person. The spirit of vanity is holding millions in captivity. As a result, immorality, dishonesty, robbery, the abuse of office, trust, and power are now the virtual norm in life and conduct in Ghana. 

Again, because of this stronghold of the spirit of vanity on the minds of millions—corruption, embezzlement, fraud, thievery, cheating, lies, and flattery have become an acceptable way of life. Indeed, the pursuit of vain glory is receiving warm reception and acclamation in Ghanaian society as a whole. There is thus, a rising trend in the defilement of children, sexual perversion and to a lower extent rape, impunity in the defiance of authority, order, and sound conduct. There is an open and unhindered disregard of rules and regulations and conscienceless and impudent breach of law and order. Violence, roguery, and demagoguery are now even being openly practiced in schools, in politics, management, and governance. People do as they please. Although there is much religion, nonetheless, as would be expected there is no truth of scriptures, and no knowledge and fear of God. On top of it all, idolatry and Satanic (fetish/juju) power have raised high— selfishness, materialism, evil and wickedness, self- or ego-worship, and the worship of mammon (money) in the land. All this is vanity. 

As the Bible says in Psalm 39: 5, “Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.” In Ecclesiastes 6: 11-12, we read: “Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun.” (KJV). 

When the spirit of vanity is reigning, declares the scripture, surely every man walks about like a shadow, “surely they busy themselves in vain; he heaps up riches and does not know who will gather them.” (Psalm 39: 6).  It is here that the knowledge of God, the wisdom, and counsel of the ages, rules, and regulations, legal, moral, social, and cultural stipulations combine to guide, conduct, help to build restraint, subdue human negative passions and raise standards against the ravaging forces of the spirit of vanity and wickedness in men’s hearts, minds and lives and in society. 

It is obvious that, for the knowledge, light, counsel, and way of God to prevail in private and public conduct and national affairs as a whole, there is need for a holy, righteous, faithful, and vigilant church fully informed, knowledgeable, equipped, and fortified in Christ and the Truth, Light, and Way, Authority and Power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The Church is to disciple nations and bring the knowledge, light, and way of God, sanity, and sound spiritual and moral values and help establish sound standards in the political, economic, social, and cultural affairs in society and nation. The Church is the dwelling place and hope for the knowledge of God and of righteous, good, heavenly approved, and acceptable conduct in the land.  

Similarly, the nation needs spiritual, legal, and moral uprightness in political order and governance, in business and professional conduct and in relations as a whole in society. This is done generally through education at home, church, and school in one part and on another, sound, righteous, and morally correct legislation, wise and exemplary conduct in political and administrative processes, business, and professional ethics and above all responsible reliable conduct from the seat of government. Only the righteous can build a righteous and godly nation. (Proverbs 29: 2). The Bible enjoins all peoples and nations therefore to worship God and seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness and establish same as basis of life, conduct, and management of affairs. (Matthew 6: 33; Matthew 5, 6- 7). This is a requirement of impact and consequence far ahead of economic, health, and welfare goals. (Mark 8: 36-37). 

It goes without saying therefore that outside the home the Church and Government are two principal agents for the establishment of standards of conduct to abate, minimize, and mitigate human deposition to vanity and the evil consequences thereof. The two bodies deal with character, conduct, and life, spiritual, political, legal, and institutional structures and exemplary conduct and arrangements for a peaceful, righteous, just, honest, and progressive society. 

They are both Divine instruments for contending with human passions, frailty, evil, and wickedness in the ordering, building, establishing, and running of a peaceful, righteous, just, morally upright and godly life, people, society, and nation. 

Unfortunately, instead of the spread of the knowledge of God and exemplary conduct for a righteous and godly nation, the Church and Government in Ghana have become the guiltiest agents in the spread and rise of the spirit of vanity and the connected forces of unrighteous, unjust, and immoral, evil and wicked practices in the land. This is because of the teachings, practices, and conduct of both Ministers of Church and State, church leaders and elders as well as politicians and public servants. The Church elders teach, disciple, and equip the flock, the people, and the nation. Politicians and public servants formulate policies, run state/government institutions, and services and establish and manage institutionalized conduct. 

Thus, corruption, embezzlement, fraud, and robbery in the nation can be placed at the door of the Church and government, ministers of the Church and state on one part, and Christian leaders in politics and the public services, business and the professions on another part. In Ghana there are many Christian and Muslim teachers, top executives, and ‘business tycoons,’ yet corruption, indiscipline, and vain glory are the way of business and life in most sectors of the economy. For example, a government minister can order a departmental director, the managing director of a state bank, and the manager of a contracting firm, all of whom can be Christians/Muslims to rob and siphon off funds, to misdirect, undercut, and mismanage projects all for personal or group advantage and gain. 

Similarly, there can be collusion between and among ministers of state, departmental directors, accountants, lawyers, police, and judges to misapply law and misdirect justice. And many, if not all such players can claim to be Christians/Muslim. All these evil, unrighteousness, injustice, and wickedness are the fruit and manifestation of the spirit of avarice and vanity. Their primary aim is to heap riches and to maintain power and position no matter the cost. All is vanity.  

June 15, 2010