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Kindness, the nature of Heaven
FEW years ago when I was called to lead a unit of my church, I had a desire to visit those who were less active in the church and see if there was anything we could do to bring the blessings of the gospel into their lives. One day we visited a brother who told me the last time he had been to church was many years back and he did’t even remember the last time he went to church. Something had happened that day. A fellow member said some unkind words to him that he walked out of chapel and never returned. It was remarkable to me that an unkind word spoken many years back could have had such a profound effect. But it had. And, as a consequence, this man had never returned to church. Neither had his wife nor children. I apologised to him and expressed my sorrow that he had been treated that way. I told him how unfortunate it was that one word spoken in haste, and so long ago, could have the effect of excluding his family from the blessings that come from church activity. “After many years,” I told him, “it’s time the church made things right.” I did my best to do so. I reassured him that he was welcome and needed. I rejoiced when this man and his family eventually returned to church and became strong and faithful members. Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and moulds relationships that can last lifetimes. Kind words not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years. Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes. Jesus, our Saviour, was the epitome of kindness and compassion. He healed the sick. He spent much of His time ministering to the one or many. He spoke compassionately to the Samaritan woman who was looked down upon by many. He instructed His disciples to allow the little children to come unto Him. He was kind to all who had sinned, condemning only the sin, not the sinner. Yet His greatest act of kindness was found in His
atoning sacrifice, thus freeing all from the effects of death, and all from the effects of sin, on conditions of repentance.
The things you say, the tone of your voice, the anger or calm of your words; these things are noticed by your children and by others. They see and learn both the kind and the unkind things we say or do. Nothing exposes our true selves more than how we treat one another in the home. I often wonder why some feel they must be critical of others. It gets in their blood, I suppose, and it becomes
so natural they often don’t even think about it. They seem to criticise everyone—the way Ama sings in church, the way Brother Kofi teaches a lesson or plants his garden. Even when we think we are doing no harm by our critical remarks, consequences often follow. I am reminded of a boy who committed suicide and left a note saying his mother kept telling him that her life started down spiral when she gave birth to him. His husband left her and she became a single mother and always reminded her son about what he has brought into her life. One morning on his mother birthday this boy took his own life and left a note telling the mother that he’s gone so that she can have the life she wanted. As parents we need to be careful about what we say to our children. “Oh the kind words we give shall in memory live.” A church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect
things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to one another as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father. Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another. Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you. We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves.
One way you can measure your value in the kingdom of God is to ask, “How well am I doing in helping others reach their potential? Do I support others in our communities and family, or do I criticise them?” If you are criticising others, you are weakening the community. If you are building others, you are building the community. As Heavenly Father is kind, we also should be kind to others. James E. Talmage, a man who is remembered for his doctrinal teachings, showed great kindness to a neighbour family in distress. They were complete strangers to him. Before he was an Apostle, as a young father, he became aware of great suffering at a neighbour’s home whose large family was stricken with the dreaded diphtheria. He did not care that they were not members of the church; his kindness and charity moved him to act. The Relief Society was desperately trying to find people
to help, but no one would because of the contagious nature of the disease. When he arrived, James found one toddler already dead and two others who were in agony from the disease. He immediately went to work, cleaning the untidy house, preparing the young body for burial, cleaning and providing for the other sick children, spending the entire day doing so. He came back the next morning to find that one more of the children had died during the night. A third child was still suffering terribly. He wrote in his journal: “She clung to my neck, ofttimes coughing [germs] on my face and clothing, … yet I could not pull her from me. During the half hour immediately preceding her death, I walked the floor with the little creature in my arms. She died in agony at 10 a.m.” The three children had all departed within the space of 24 hours. He then assisted the family with the burial arrangements and spoke at their graveside services.This he did all for a family of strangers. What a great example of Christlike kindness! When we are filled with kindness, we are not judgemental. The Saviour taught, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” He also taught that “with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” “But,” you ask, “what if people are rude?” Love them. “If they are obnoxious?” Love them. “But what if they offend? Surely I must do something then?”Love them. “Wayward?”The answer is the same. Be kind. Love them. Why? In the scriptures Jude taught, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.”Who can tell what far-reaching impact we can have if we are only kind? The gospel of Jesus Christ transcends mortality. Our work here is but a shadow of greater and unimaginable things to come. May we be models of kindness. May we ever live up to the words of the Saviour: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
“Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and moulds relationships that can last lifetimes.”
By Samuel Enos Eghan
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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AS Ghana celebrates its 69th Independence Day, the country reflects on the vision of its first President, Kwame Nkrumah. Beyond political freedom, Nkrumah dreamed of building a modern, self-reliant nation.
He launched ambitious projects aimed at industrialisation, job creation, and to position Ghana as a leader in Africa.
Many of these projects were interrupted or abandoned after the 1966 coup that removed him from power. Today, these projects remain reminders of bold ambitions and opportunities for revival.
1. The Black Star Line
One of Nkrumah’s earliest initiatives was the Black Star Line, Ghana’s first national shipping company. Established in 1957, it aimed to boost trade and reduce dependence on foreign vessels. Nkrumah envisioned a fleet of Ghanaian ships transporting goods across Africa and beyond.
The project, however, suffered from poor management, financial challenges, and political instability. After the 1966 coup, the Black Star Line collapsed, leaving a gap in Ghana’s maritime sector. Today, the country still relies heavily on foreign shipping, showing how Nkrumah’s foresight was ahead of its time.
2. Railway expansion
Perhaps Nkrumah’s most enduring domestic dream was a nationwide railway network. He wanted lines connecting northern and southern Ghana, linking agricultural zones to factories, and connecting mines to ports. Railways were to be the backbone of industrialisation, enabling efficient transport of goods and people.
Much of this vision remains unrealised. Expansion stalled after 1966, and the network has suffered decades of neglect.
- Juapong textile factory
- Tomato and fruit processing plants: Designed to add value to agricultural produce, but operations collapsed due to inconsistent supply and lack of technical expertise.
Modernisation efforts by successive governments, including the construction of the Tema–Mpakadan line and rehabilitation of parts of the Western Line, have only partially restored his vision. A fully integrated railway system, particularly linking northern regions, remains a work in progress.
3. Accra–Tema Industrial corridor
The Accra–Tema Motorway, constructed in the early 1960s, was intended to anchor an industrial corridor connecting factories, ports, and residential areas.
The motorway itself was completed and remains a key route, but many industrial zones along the corridor were never built, limiting the economic impact of the project.
4. Defunct factories and industrial ambitions
Through the Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC), Nkrumah established numerous state-owned factories to reduce imports, create jobs, and industrialise the country. Many of these factories, however, became defunct due to poor management, political changes, and economic challenges.
Some notable examples include:
- Textile factories: Aimed at making Ghana self-reliant in clothing production, but most shut down after Nkrumah’s overthrow.
- Brick, tile, and cement factories: Intended to supply building materials for rapid urbanisation; many closed or underperformed.
- Sugar and meat processing plants: Built to supply local demand and reduce imports, yet most never reached full capacity.
These defunct factories are a testament to the challenges of maintaining large-scale industrial projects in a changing political and economic environment. They also illustrate the potential that existed to make Ghana self-sufficient in manufacturing.
Meridian Hotel
The Meridian Hotel in Tema. Built in 1960 by Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. One of the most sought-after hotels at the time, it was a popular location for dignitaries and tourists. The iconic hotel was so popular it inspired the famous Wulomei song Meridian.
Sadly, it has been abandoned for over two decades after it was closed down in the late 1990s. Meanwhile, residents in the area have called on the government to demolish the building if there are no plans to revamp it.
Lessons and way forward
These abandoned projects and defunct factories are not just stories of failure. They highlight Nkrumah’s bold vision and the importance of continuity in national development. Independence brought freedom, but building a self-reliant, industrialised Ghana requires sustained planning, political stability, and investment in infrastructure and human capital.
As Ghana marks its 69th Independence Day, revisiting these projects is both a reflection on history and a call to action. Reviving or modernising parts of these initiatives could strengthen infrastructure, create jobs, and make the country more competitive in the regional and global economy.
Nkrumah’s projects were not merely monuments of ambitions but blueprints for economic sovereignty. As Ghanaians, it is not just enough to remember past events leading to independence but completing and reviving works that began in 1957.
It reminds us that true nation-building—connecting the country, industrialising the economy, and asserting Ghana’s role in Africa—is an ongoing journey.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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