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‘Everyone will die some day so …’
As children at the Airforce Station in Takoradi, we were brought up to be disciplined, honest and truthful everywhere we found ourselves and people in leadership positions set good examples for the young and upcoming ones.
Religious believers such as Christians, Moslems and Traditionalists have reinforced this idea of good beliefs and practices so that after death we’ll be able to go to our Creator. Christians believe, for example, that we need to live good lives so that we can go to heaven where the Creator is. In the case of Moslems, they also believe that good behaviour as required by Allah, is what will take you straight into His bosom. These beliefs have influenced Christians and Moslems to behave well from time immemorial. When we come to Tradionalists, they also believe that to be able to get to the Creator, you need to be of good behaviour and refrain from sin or what is not good so that after death, you’ll become an ancestor or a living-dead, that is, people who though are dead, continue to live as good people who stay along with their Creator.
BELIEFS
These beliefs remind some of us as children when we were staying with our parents at the Airforce Station in Takoradi. The important caveat was a reminder to everyone that one day we will all move away from this earth and give an account of ourselves concerning the kind of life lived on this earth.
This belief is being taken for granted by the generation of today. The reason is not far-fetched. No one has come back from the dead to give an account of his or her experience on the other side of life. For this reason, people take it for granted that death is bound to come but forget that after death, there will be judgement.
One of the things we remember as children at the Airforce Station was that, behind that Station, there was one drunkard who often moved from a nearby village to the barracks, announcing from time to time in his state of drunkenness that “Obiara bewu but people don’t know” which simply means, “Everyone is bound to die one day even though people take it for granted.”
THE WORLD TODAY
In the world today, people forget about this advice and keep misbehaving, proving to be wicked to their neighbours and subordinates. In many workplaces, be it offices or workshops, many superior officers discriminate against their subordinates and suppress them in an unfair manner to such an extent that sometimes we wonder whether such people actually believe that there is a God somewhere who would expect judgement from us after death.
Many of these people in their wickedness only associate themselves with people who are prepared to toe their lines whether right or wrong in order to ensure that such people are given promotions even where this is not necessary or is needless. Such things go to show how unjust the world has become.
Sometimes those who are bold enough to cry out against such injustice are pushed somewhere else where they will not have any influence in social life. This behaviour must be stopped since all of us are bound to give account someday to the Creator.
It is also a well-known fact that many people today use charms and amulets as well as occultic powers to gain power into leadership positions using these powers to charm their own superior leaders, so that even when they go wrong it will never dawn on anyone to bring them to book. This is a very unfortunate and unpleasant situation, making us wonder whether, indeed, there is justice in this world.
INFLUENCE THROUGH MONEY
Many people have died from maltreatment. Where such maltreatment occurs, money is used to influence vociferous people in society, so that they will not speak about the evil they see.
The practice of journalism is a noble profession but some of the practitioners are easily influenced by money to turn a blind eye to what constitutes the truth.
Again, even though the law court system is supposed to render justice to all people irrespective of status, this does not often occur as expected, even though in some cases the law is given the appropriate interpretation by those expected to dispense justice.
In the legislature as we often see, many of our parliamentarians are so biased that they are not truthful to issues that come up for deliberation. If for example things are becoming tough for the country, and, therefore, should be helped to come up with generating more income, those in opposition for fear that the generation of more revenue may lead to massive development for people in society, may vehemently oppose such a move to the discomfort of everyone. The point must be made, however, it is not all parliamentarians who are so biased but that some of them try to be as honest and truthful as possible and pursue the national interest. These are the people we need in Ghana today. We hope the parliamentarians will stop fighting needlessly in the legislature, so as to earn the respect they expect as “Honourable Members”.
NEED TO CHANGE OUR LIVES
Many more people ought to change their lives for the better in society. Tailors and seamstresses must be truthful, so that they will be able to render quality customer service to those who come to them for their service, including delivering sewn items on time. In the same way, drivers and their helpers, often known as “mates”, should be polite to all manner of passengers. We also expect the passengers to behave well to these drivers and their “mates”.
Security officers like policemen and soldiers must be fair to all people in society. They should not allow themselves to be influenced by the rich in pursuance of injustice in society. We can go on and on but the list can never be exhausted, so the problems in society are caused by we ourselves.
We are always in love with the rich and those who can satisfy us with money, while the poor is allowed to suffer with no one caring for him/her. This trend of iniquity and bad behaviour cannot continue throughout this 21st century, so we need to put a stop to it without delay.
DISHONEST EMPLOYEES
It is important also to note that many individuals would want to set up businesses and employ people to work in them to earn their means of livelihood. Unfortunately, many people employed in this way are so dishonest that within a short time they collapse the business established by set ups in their own interest. So what a world do we find ourselves in? God has not created problems for the world but the problems and challenges we face are the creation of man himself.
Subordinates in organisations and workplaces must know that whatever they do in this world will be accounted for after death, so we all need to be careful and behave as honest people at all times. We should also learn to tell the truth even if we will be subjected to one form of victimisation or the other. This is how we can all make the world a better place for everyone and enjoy the fruits of happiness irrespective of where we find ourselves.
May God help us all. Amen.
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BY DR KOFI AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO
ALL these forms of responsibility are sustained by one central pillar: spiritual and moral discipline. Without it, knowledge becomes pride, power becomes oppression, and freedom becomes chaos.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The strong man is not the one who overcomes others by his strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger.” (Bukhari, Hadith 6114)
This control taqwā is the root of responsibility. Imam Al-Ghazali (1105) in Ihya Ulum al-Din wrote that the purification of the soul (tazkiyah al-nafs) is the foundation of all reform. A responsible man disciplines his desires, guards his words, and acts with sincerity, even when no one is watching.
We live in an era of temptation — social media, materialism, and moral relativism challenge our values. But men of faith must rise above these influences and remember that Allah is Al-Raqīb — the Ever-Watchful. Spiritual accountability anchors moral behaviour.
8. Emotional and psychological responsibility
Responsibility also includes taking care of one’s mental and emotional well-being. Many men suffer silently under the burden of expectation — believing that showing emotion is weakness.
Yet, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم shed tears, expressed compassion, and sought counsel.
Psychologist Aaron Beck (1976) in Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders emphasised that emotional maturity begins with self-awareness, recognising one’s feelings, and managing them constructively.
Group counselling sessions like this are essential; they help men share, heal, and grow together. No man should walk alone; strength is not isolation, but the courage to seek support. Let us normalise counselling, mentorship, and brotherhood among men. For in unity, we find healing; in shared wisdom, we find growth.
9. The five questions of accountability
The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The feet of the son of Adam shall not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about five things:
- His life — how he lived it;
- His youth — how he used it;
- His wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it;
- His knowledge — how he acted upon it.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2416; also reported in al-Darimi)
This hadith captures the essence of personal accountability — the cornerstone of responsibility in Islam. It reminds every believer that every blessing carries a duty, and every stage of life demands conscious action.
Let’s break it down:
- “His life — how he lived it”
Life is a divine trust (amānah). A responsible man lives with purpose, not pleasure as his goal. He invests his time in doing good, serving others, and seeking Allah’s pleasure. - “His youth — how he used it”
Youth is the most energetic and creative phase — and thus the most accountable. As Ibn al-Qayyim noted in Madarij al-Salikin, “The strength of youth is a blessing, and blessings invite responsibility.” Men must use their youth to build character, gain knowledge, and resist destructive habits. - “His wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it”
Financial integrity is a key part of manhood. Islam demands transparency, fairness, and generosity. The Qur’an warns against wastefulness: “Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils.” (Qur’an 17:27) A responsible man earns lawfully, gives in charity, and spends wisely. - “His knowledge — how he acted upon it”
Knowledge is meaningless if not practiced. Imam Al-Ghazali wrote that knowledge without action is a burden, not a blessing. A responsible man translates his learning into character, leadership, and service.
This Hadith teaches that responsibility in Islam is total and it covers time, energy, wealth, and knowledge. It’s not only about what we achieve, but how we live, how we give, and how we grow.
10. Summary
Responsibility, therefore, is not a single act but a lifestyle — one that touches every sphere of life:
- Educational responsibility empowers us to think and serve.
- Marital and family responsibility keeps our homes strong.
- Environmental responsibility safeguards our future.
- Civic responsibility builds our nation.
- Moral and spiritual responsibility sustains our integrity.
- Emotional responsibility maintains our well-being.
A responsible man is thus an educated mind, a loving heart, a disciplined spirit, and a servant leader. He is not perfect, but he is purposeful.
11. Conclusion
My brothers, as we look toward the future, let us remember the divine reminder:
“The believers, men and women, are protectors of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” (Qur’an 9:71)
Our communities are counting on us — our sisters, mothers, and children look to us for leadership and example. Let us not disappoint them. When we build responsible men today, we build a Ghana that is peaceful, prosperous, and principled.
Let us be men of knowledge and humility, strength and compassion, faith and fairness. And may Allah grant us the wisdom to lead ourselves before we lead others. Āmīn.
Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone Katmanso Municipal Chief Imam, governance expert and certified counselor.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
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Today, I focus on Ghanaian/African migrants in Finland and their mental health. Mental health is an important subject and a huge problem in the world.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), brain health is the state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioural and motor domains, allowing a person to realise their full potential over the life course, irrespective of the presence or absence of disorders.
Studies have shown that maternal and paternal distress are associated with reduced linear growth of their children. I recently participated in a seminar on mental health among (African) migrants in Finland. We all wondered about the prevalence or incidence of mental illness among migrants in Finland. It will be interesting to know the statistics about mental illness among migrants in Finland.
Mental health in Finland
In Finland, studies have examined how behavioural risk factors mediate the effects of childhood disadvantage on adult psychological distress. A correlation is shown between parent and infant psychotherapy on maternal mental health and psychological functioning and children’s welfare.
There are also research and other reports of social child welfare interventions where at times children are even taken away (child removals) from the parent or parents for safe keeping.
Experts say it is important how parents plan their leaves in order to renew or rebuild their mental strength to be able to take good care of their kids.
Anyway, studies are limited about parent-child psychological distress and situations where children are taken away from their parents among minorities, such as African migrants. It will be interesting to know the figures and other aspects of mental health issues among the migrant group(s) in Finland.
Health and migrant vulnerability
Health experts point out that migrant communities can be highly vulnerable to diseases, especially certain infectious diseases. Experts say those who came to Finland as refugees or asylum seekers and their family members are often in a more vulnerable position in terms of their health (see www.thl.fi).
Research and media reports have shown in many countries that there are structural or societal/cultural factors that result in quite high rates of infection or ill-health among migrants, when compared to the majority population.
It is suggested that for example language barrier, lack of information, the nature of the work of migrants in professions where working from home is not possible (for example during the Covid-19 pandemic), not accessing healthcare, etc. can present some of the factors for migrants’ vulnerability to diseases and infections.
Childhood disadvantage
Information about the issue. Such a situation was much evidenced to reduce stress and anxiety during the coronavirus situation.
Thus, these associations and institutions become networks that create an important social capital as well as outlets for sharing and gaining information or knowledge.
Finland is committed to the integration of migrants into the Finnish society, as I keep pointing out. A number of research studies from surveys and other in-depth enquiries have shown a trend of increasing efforts to integrate African and other migrants into the Finnish society.
As the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has pointed out, health and wellbeing are an important part of integration of immigrants in Finland (see www.thl.fi).
There have been studies on whether behavioural risk factors mediate the effects of childhood disadvantage on adult psychological distress and child welfare intervention by social services. Unhealthy behaviours and their associations with subsequent sickness among Finnish young and early midlife employees have been studied.
When it comes to this subject and/or the effect of adult psychological distress on children’s wellbeing among African migrants in Finland, there is limited knowledge.
We should hope for more information to augment understandings about adult psychological distress and effect on children’s wellbeing among African migrants in order to inform policy directions.
Such studies will help to create awareness among migrants in Finland about their mental health, its effect on them and their children’s wellbeing, as well as where to seek therapy.
Migrant associations, social networks, and information
Migrants associations are already doing much to help in education on mental health and have become important points for securing. Public agencies, migrant associations and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Finland have been publishing information to help educate people about their health and wellbeing.
Generally, migrant associations formally create awareness among their members and other migrants usually in collaboration with some Finnish institutions, and are thus an important tool for several migrants to be positively active and to get their interests and claims heard.
As I wrote previously, the role of migrant associations acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
By Perpetual Crentsil
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