THEME: THE SPIRITUAL MECHANICS OF NATIONAL DECLINE AND THE FUTILITY OF HUMAN-LED CHANGE 

Peace be unto you! 

President Prof. Atta Mills assumed office at the same time as President Obama did in the USA.  President Atta Mills had a slim win at the 2008 polls.  He strove in at the tape with violence and war drums, causing much tension and restlessness, resulting in a nation divided as it were into two equal halves. 

President Atta Mills lacked full mandate and courage to assume office running with his “Better Ghana Change Agenda” as he promised. It took two years of “slow but sure” motion to muster courage to declare action as he put it. Year 2011, the Year of Action ended on a flat note, epitomized by the failure of the much drummed about STX building project. The many loans contracted are yet to show any serious impact both in macro and micro terms and living conditions in general. This is not only due to the evident lack of clear mandate, courage, and competence but also because President Atta Mills entered into office at the heels of a very able, action-oriented, successful and internationally acclaimed President. President Kufuor created a Heritage of Glory in governance and statesmanship for Ghana and Africa. It is necessary, however, to point out however, that, the Kufuor heritage was the result of Divine ordered redemptive action. 

At the spiritual front, the Lord God of Hosts, through His Church in the land, has accomplished His plan of redemption of the country from the Satan-man dominion order during the Kufuor administration.   

The Satan-man order is characterized by idolatry and blood sacrifices, political instability, insecurity, tribal wars, chieftaincy disputes, civilian-cum-military rivalry, mistrust of government, because of unrighteous and wicked works of rulers and their agents causing captive minds and cultural silence, hindering free and open identification with and participation in political, economic, social processes, and national affairs in general. 

The Divine-led mission accomplished at the Spiritual Gate brought Peace and Democratic Governance to the Political Gate.  This in turn led to progress at the Economic Gate, resulting in a rise in cocoa production, investment confidence in mining and the private sector in general. In the end, there came the release of Divine hold on Oil and Gas reserves of the country. Why? Because God has found a man of humble heart, fear of God, leading a regime of social consciousness and progress oriented.  He began to bless the land. 

This blessedness and restoration of glory to Ghana during the Kufuor era is not a something any true patriot, loyal, and knowledgeable citizen, or President of faith, peace, goodwill, and competence will attempt to change—much more tear apart—for a so-called ‘Better Ghana’ change agenda, however well-defined and well-intended. Indeed, patriotism, wisdom, statecraft, and the knowledge and fear of God will demand respect for the Divine redemption and continuity of the Divine Road Map for the Restoration of Glory to Ghana. 

The truth is that there was no room for ‘change’ within the Divine ordered road map for President Atta Mills. The way open is only to continue to expand and solidify the Kufuor Heritage of policies and governmental action.  Attempts to change them, such as with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Petroleum Prices, agreements on the Oil and Gas production, and educational systems, the 3 for 4-year SHS system—to wit have virtually backfired. 

We do not want to comment here on the claim of success with the economy. We will simply state that, Government Expenditure-Fiscal Policy induced cut in inflation and growth prompted by capital investment (machines) in mining and Oil and Gas are yet to have impact in rising employment, industrial production, and above all, the pockets and living conditions of people— except of course the ruling class of Ministers, Parliamentarians, and special government appointees. ‘Change’ was also the note on which President Obama strove gallantly at first count into office. He got a clear win and can be said with a clear mandate and broad-based goodwill both domestically   and globally. This notwithstanding, we declared at the prompting of the Spirit of God that President Obama will fail with his change mission and be shown exit from the White House. 

Today, America is reeling in frustration from the weight of Obama’s failure. Unlike President Bush whose ‘9/11 baptism of fire’ catapulted him to initial glory, President Obama’s baptism of fire brought heightened challenge with failure of banks, financial crunch, mortgage collapse, and house closures, industry blow-up, and unemployment lines.  

Meanwhile, President Obama found himself trapped and bound with President Bush’s heritage of war and debt, and downhill slide of America’s standing image and glory in the world. In the end, America has bowed as it were to China’s economic machine and bailout. This has weakened America’s moral courage concerning renunciation of China’s human rights and democratic credentials. America’s voice on global peace, political, and economic order has become muted. 

To be sure, President Obama’s ‘Change Agenda’ was floored by two primary factors. First was the manner in which he got nominated as Presidential Candidate of the Democratic Party; he was ‘sneaked into line’ by some few party strategists whose agenda was not national but personal, and very parochial. His rhetoric helped him.  But rhetoric on political party platforms and national debates are not enough for sound administration and governance. 

To be sure, President Obama reached the White House on a bandwagon of Washington political intrigue. Consequently, he simply could not bring ‘change’ to Washington Politics and Business as usual. He has had to fight battles on the hill with his bills. Bi-partnership pragmatic escape route became difficult for President Obama. Meanwhile, the unemployment situation got aggravated by the financial crunch. A non-conventional government bailout of the banks did not go quite far in fighting off looming recession. 

As if that were not enough, the American war machine was having devastating effects on both the budget and human lives. Debit financing raised the national debt into unprecedented heights — into the trillions. Meanwhile, the Iraq War could not be brought to an abrupt end without causing havoc to the military machine, the economy, and pain to lives.  It was proving equally difficult to pull out from the war in Afghanistan.  It would demoralize the Military and pull down further the image of the USA as a world power. 

The second battleground for President Obama was the mounted rejection of God, the knowledge, and honor of Him in America. This was not his doing. But he lacked both spiritual stature and moral courage to stem the flood. But America’s rejection of God— and her attempt to present herself as God of the nations and world power, putting trust in economic power, and military might in place of “IN GOD WE TRUST” has caused Divine wrath and Judgement upon the USA. Obama’s regime has been confronted with Divine judgment: a failing economy due to rising idolatry and anti-God, anti-Christ sensationalism. God cannot be mocked!! 

Now, instead of going to God, seeking to intercede for, and bring America back to God from his high office, President Obama treated religion and the Christian Faith in particular with aloofness as though he can fight his battles with rhetoric and money.  Rhetoric hope, the underdog tag blacks, poor, needy, oppressed, and youth galvanized goodwill and immense support. But oratory and goodwill cannot save America from frustration, unemployment blues, and economic woes, above all, Divine wrath. 

Thus, we see a parallel: President Atta Mills came into office in the shadow of a popular leader.  President Obama came into office at the heels of a President who threw the nation into a very unpopular war, overbearing national debt, and sliding glory. 

President Mills lacked will, courage, and competence to continue the ‘Good works’ of his predecessor. Consequently, Ghana has since been standing still, incurring great cost, pain, and suffering. Similarly, President Obama also could not effect the promised ‘change.’ The wars continued, the national debt rose higher, and worsening economic conditions created an ominous dark cloud hanging over the USA.  President Obama will have difficulty changing the ‘EXIT ‘sign. 

The critical question here is that the USA is sliding more into loss of glory, she is now being challenged by Japan and China. Meanwhile, Russia struts on a weak political foot, democratic, and liberty challenge despite her economic potential. Europe is not cohesive enough to offer challenges. The net result will be a world order of falling eagles mingling with rising tigers, dragons, and cobras, alongside small, bubbling economies. Africa, meanwhile, must deal with spiritual and political wickedness, economic woes, and socio-cultural disarrays to get into the race. 

The million-dollar question remains: how fast and how far will a sliding America tumble?  Right now, the Republican Party challenge is caught in a leadership crisis. There seems to be a serious crisis in finding a candidate with a message, right policy package, and charisma to challenge President Obama.  

Mr. Gingrich carries a serious spiritual and political baggage. His ‘Social Contract’ package faced challenges in the past, and unfortunately, he joined the bandwagon in an attempt to axe President Clinton—for which he suffered. The wrath of God descended upon him; he suffered a serious spiritual set back and loss in political clout and visibility. He has shown no sign of repentance in condemning and damming competitors. 

So also, is the conservative religious right behind the ‘Kill Clinton’ campaign. The Lord’s bell saved Clinton.  He is still enjoying standing popularity, not so Gingrich and all those who planned his downfall and fell in their own dug graves. 

Romney on the other hand, may offer glimpse of light and hope, yet not of a significant nature as was the case of Reagan in the President Carter Washington led re-election difficulties. Romney without the Gingrich baggage may win the nomination and go on to fill the gap in the leadership crisis.  But be it as it may, he will not be able to stop and save America from sliding down in glory.  Unless the Lord finds a man, no one can.  Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it. 

The greatest need now is for America to return to trust and hope in God through Faith in Jesus Christ—Saviour, Redeemer, the King of Glory, King of kings, and Lord of lords. 

We look forward to a humble church and a humble heart in repentance setting things right, pleading for mercy for America.  There alone is hope! 

GOD BLESS GHANA!  GOD BLESS AMERICA!   

January 27, 2012