Features
Pride of leadership
I Read Government. And I believe I know what governance is supposed to be. However, I don’t understand politics. I have tried not to give myself the headache of trying to understand what it is all about. I guess I have a fair idea about democracy and its nuances. I have a fi rm belief that every society must practise democracy to suit its peculiar culture, customs and norms, not what is dictated by foreign or external forces.
I have observed that global leadership is dictatorial. America is a typical example, where democratic processes inside of that country are followed to the letter, yet the US dictates what other countries must do. Then comes in Donald J. Trump. We all have seen what Trump did to the democracy America prides itelf in. On January 6, 2021, his supporters descended on Capitol Hill and vandalised the very cradle of that country’s democracy. When you elect a rabble-rouser President, what do you expect? Pride and arrogance of leadership cost him the presidency in last year’s election. Pride of leadership has caused the collapse of empires, dynasties and governments. Empires like the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, British and others have come and gone. Indiscipline of leadership in some cases drowned these empires. Some were caused by the powers behind the thrones. Many of those powers were wives, concubines, fathers or even siblings who wielded power over the emperors, kings or whatever fancy
nomenclature they went by. Sadly, many modern leaders have not learnt from the history of these empires and strut around as if they are the chosen ones of God to run people’s lives. And this is my worry. I keep saying that a disciplined child cannot be born of an undisciplined parentage. The calf watches the mother’s mouth as she munches the grass, not so? Ghana’s Minister of Finance has gained notoriety for disrespecting parliament. Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta chooses to go deliver the economic policy of government at a time convenient to him while the lawmakers who would approve or disapprove the policy sit on their haunches waiting for him. Simply put, this is pride of leadership. If our leaders cannot respect institutions of state and their protocols, what business do they have in leadership? This is not an attack on the person of the Minister, but he is an example of what is festering in our national life. President Nana Akufo-Addo is noted for his punctuality at state events. I remember he was to attend the 170th anniversary of the founding of the Presbyterian Training College at Akropong in 2018. Because of our offi cial lateness to events, I almost did not attend though some of us had a special invitation as old students from the Principal. President Akufo-Addo was there before the scheduled time. Former President John Mahama hardly respected time when he was in offi ce, but Prof. Atta Mills was a Pride of leadership
stickler for punctuality as President Akufo-Addo. I had the opportunity of covering an event involving former President Kufuor at Sekondi in 2002. He was late. When I asked my buddy, former President Jerry Rawlings, why he attended certain functions late, he only answered that it was all “for effect.” I did not know what that meant but I let it pass. It is perfectly in order for public offi ce holders to be late for any event because of the workload they carry or for whatever reasons. But it is a mark of good leadership, maturity and respect for others to send a message to the gathering that for XYZ reasons, you are unable to beat the time and that you should be given whatever number of minutes to be present. You win respect as a result. But what do our offi cials do? They saunter into the programme before ranting out apologies when those gathered are either tired, angry or agitated by this offi cial behaviour. No sooner had that budget statement been delivered than the Minister in charge of roads, Mr.
Kwasi Amoako-Atta, decided that all toll booths be shut down on the country’s highways. I am told this minister is himself a member of parliament and knows the Standing Orders and their protocols. How come he could order the closure of toll booths when the House had not approved the budget statement? Indiscipline, if you asked me. Or is it pride of leadership? Leadership must inspire. Leadership must be exemplary. Leadership must encourage others to want to strive for leadership positions in service to their people. Leadership must be honest with the people. It must show a commitment to serve and not run roughshod over the people. With this behaviour of some of our leaders, what do we expect of those who will come after them in future? Personally, I do not care how our public offi ce holders conduct themselves in their offi cial positions, but they must be mindful of the signal they are sending to the youth who are acclaimed as the leaders of tomorrow. Where is the tomorrow for them if we corrupt their today with our negative attitudes? Give the Devil his due. In spite of accusations of highhandedness, Salifu Amankwa brought a certain discipline to the Nkrumah Circle area of the capital. Discipline is the watchword here.
Ten years after he left and more years after his death, people were still afraid to walk over the lawns around Circle anyhow they pleased. Leadership must uphold discipline at all times. What are human rights when lawlessness pervades the very fabric of society? Ghana did not go before Nkrumah. And all of the leaders who have gone have left Ghana behind. So, this country will be there after we are all gone, but the Ghana we leave for the generations after us will determine how history and posterity will judge us.
Writer’s e-mail address: akofa45@yahoo.com
By Dr. Akofo K. Segbefia
Today, I focus on the Apostolic Church International in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The Apostolic Church International, Finland (or, Apostolic International Association Ry) was established in October 9, 2023. The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
History of the Church in Ghana
The Apostolic Church Ghana originated from the 1904–1905 Welsh revival, officially established in Ghana (then called Gold Coast) in 1935 following connections between a local prayer group in Asamankese (a town in southern Ghana), led by Peter Newman Anim, and the Apostolic Church, UK. There were historical splits in 1939 and 1953, but the Apostolic Church attained autonomy in 1985.
Today, the Church is headquartered in Accra. Last year (2025), it dedicated its new 10-storey headquarters, “The Apostolic Church Tower,” in Frafraha, Adenta West in Accra.
Activities of the Apostolic Church in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11a.m. in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. in the afternoon. There are no other activities during other days for now.
The Minister in charge of the church in Finland is also the Area Head of Italy Area. He is Pastor Daniel Kofi Addison who is the new Italy Area Head, and has just been transferred from UK South Area to Italy Area during the just-ended Council Meeting in March this year. Italy Area comprises Italy, which has 13 Assemblies, Germany, one Assembly, and Finland, one Assembly.
Elder Ebenezer Amoaning-Coffie is the Presiding Elder in charge of the Assembly in Finland. A Presiding Elder is responsible for day to day activities of the church (Assembly) and reports to the District Pastor, or in the absence of the District Pastor, reports to the Area Head.
Achievements
The Apostolic Church International, Finland was officially registered under the Finnish Law, guaranteeing freedom of worship and providing legal foundation for future growth. The church service is conducted in both English and Twi.
The church opens its doors to all people of every nation, especially Ghanaians who are in Finland and other African nationals. Now, the membership comprises Ghanaians, Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans.
The Church and the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the Apostolic Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
Elder Amoaning-Coffie said that the main and primary aim of the church is to bring people closer to God. “We aim to win souls for Christ. We aim to preach the gospel to the world. By propagating the gospel to the people, we are hopeful that they will turn away from any ungodly ways and be good individuals in the community and in society in general”, he stated.
He said that everything is going well so far. A key challenge, however, is how to get more members especially the youth. As a new Assembly, we are in need of instrumentalists, for example. We pray to God Almighty to help us do His work, the Elder disclosed.
Integration
By its activities, the Apostolic Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society. This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Apostolic Church 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!
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
The landscape of the Ghanaian palate is shifting, and not necessarily for the better. In our bustling urban centres, from the streets of Accra to the suburbs of Kumasi, a quiet culinary revolution is taking place; one where the mortar and pestle are being replaced by the pizza oven and the deep fryer. This transition from traditional staple foods like fufu, banku, akple, kenkey, tuo zaafi, and ampesi toward “continental” dishes is more than just a change in appetite; it is a reflection of a deeper social struggle with identity and prestige.
The illusion of modernity
For many, “stepping out” for a meal has become synonymous with consuming foreign cuisine. There is an unspoken social hierarchy where a bowl of Abunuabunu is relegated to the village category, while burgers, pizzas are branded as prestigious choices. We have reached a stage where we equate foreign with modern and local with primitive.
This perception is a dangerous illusion. Our traditional dishes are marvels of culinary engineering complex, nutrient-dense, and deeply rooted in our history. When we choose a processed foreign import over a meal made from local tubers or fermented maize, we are not just changing our lunch; we are eroding the indigenous knowledge attached to our local ingredients and foods.
We need to turn the consumption of indigenous grains and tubers like millet, sorghum, and plantain into a statement of self-worth and national pride.
The cultural and health erosion
Every time a local dish disappears from a restaurant menu to make room for foreign fast food, we lose a piece of our cultural fabric. Traditional Ghanaian cooking is an art that requires patience and skill. By choosing the convenience of foreign fast food, we are raising a generation that may know the taste of a pepperoni pizza but cannot identify the rich, earthy profile of Prekese or the subtle tang of well-fermented dough dishes like corn porridge, banku, etew, abolo, agidi or kamfa, and kenkey.
Furthermore, we are at the crossroads of a nutrition transition. Replacing high-fiber, indigenous crops with calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foreign fast foods is driving a rise in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and liver disease. We are trading our longevity for 15-minutes convenience or unhealthy diet.
A call for culinary patriotism
It is time for us to appreciate, preserve, and promote our indigenous foods and culinary traditions. We need to be proud of our local dishes, ingredients and cooking methods, rather than relying heavily on foreign or imported foods. We must stop viewing our local delicacies as low-class and start treating our culinary heritage as the high-end gastronomy it truly is.
True sophistication does not come from imitating Western fast food; it comes from innovation and adding values to our own resources. We see glimpses of this potential in the rise of branded Sobolo and the creative use of gluten-free plantain flour in modern baking of flour-based dishes such as bread, cakes, biscuits and others. This is the path forward. We must elevate our local dishes, making them as accessible, affordable, presentable and trendy as any foreign alternative.
To the hospitality industry: Innovate or stagnate
Our hotels and high-end restaurants must lead the charge. They must stop relegating local dishes to the “traditional corner” of the buffet, and apply the same culinary finesse given to imported dishes to our Fante Fante, apapransa, aborbi tadi, fetritoto, akple, abolo, yakayeke, fufu, ampesi, kokonte, wasawasa, tubani, apapransa, mpotompoto, kelewele, aliha, brukutu, pito, and other local dishes. The industry must enhance customer experiences making eating local dishes the ultimate luxury experience for both tourists and residents alike. We must elevate the presentation of our foods by using modern plating techniques to show that a bowl of light soup can be as visually stunning as a French consommé. We need to reclaim our Ghanaian plate before it is too late.
To the policy makers: Let us encourage buying of local ingredients to promote the local food industry and economy. There should be educational programmes and talks about the nutritional and cultural benefits of local foods so that people understand their value.
We need to encourage serving traditional dishes at school programmes, parties, and celebrations instead of only fast foods,
To the Youth: Let us value and appreciate our traditional dishes instead of always choosing foreign foods. There must be balance in our choice of local and foreign dishes. Confidence in our culture encourages others to respect it too. Our local dishes can also be promoted by sharing pictures, recipes, and videos on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to make them attractive and trendy.
Young citizens must learn from their parents and elders how to prepare local meals to keep the knowledge and cultural relevance alive. Local dishes can be modernised to appeal to younger generations and tourists.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to trade our heritage for foreign cuisines which are gaining grounds across the country at an alarming rate. We must disabuse our minds of the perception that anything foreign or imported is better than those locally made. Our health, economy, and identity are tied to the soil. It is time to stop apologising for our local flavours and start celebrating them. It is possible to embrace modernity without losing ourselves and our cultural identity. Let us make the Ghanaian kitchen the heart of our modern identity once again.
By: Marilyn Gadogbe
