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The price we eventually pay
At some time or other, perhaps everyone asks himself or herself: Why should I conform to the rules? Why should I maintain standards and ideals? Why should the promises or threatened punishments of a remote hereafter restrict my way of life? Maybe this old adage about virtue’s being its own reward is just an old-fashioned idea. There are many answers to this line of questioning but suppose for the moment we forget about heaven and the hereafter and confine our answers to what we positively know about ourselves here and now.
It has, for example, been established as a physiological fact, that such negative emotions as worry, anger, hate, and jealousy generate within us those substances which can and do impair our physical and mental well-being. Even to the skeptic this can now be demonstrated. And it isn’t necessary for a herald from heaven to pronounce the penalty. Anyone who hates his or her neighbour, anyone who must make mental excuses for his or her own misconduct, is experiencing the relentless operation of the laws of reward and punishment, as they affect every man every day. And what is true negatively is also true positively.
So there comes forward in the train of our thoughts a much-discussed question; the question of moral force. Moral force is a thing to be reckoned with, has it always been in the affairs of men. It ‘is one of the few weapons in the world that does not become obsolete. It has led many peoples to victory after they have suffered physical defeat. Yet, without it fortresses crumble, guns become useless, and men lose heart and give up. It is one of the few things that a dictator cannot ignore and ride over.
There is something about the nature of man that makes it necessary for him to justify himself, to seem right in the eyes of others before he can effectively sustain his position. That is one reason men in public power so frequently take the trouble to explain themselves, even when seemingly they don’t have to. That is why the dictators of our day still give excuses for their infamous actions. No country has been violated, no right has been disregarded, no principle has been set aside without some attempt at justification, without some excuse of emergency or expediency without some effort to make the world think it was a right cause and a right course, because even a dictator must justify himself to exist, no matter how completely he controls the material and physical elements about him. He may force the people to goose-step, to go through the motions of loyalty, to labour long for his cause, to raise hands in salute, to cease the outward forms of their accustomed worship, to come to him for bread; he may force them to vote as he wishes, to perpetuate him in office, and to become dependent upon him for all of the physical elements of life—but he can’t prevent a man from thinking against him and praying against him, and contributing with moral force to his ultimate downfall.
It is no small thing to face 10 people whose wills are set against you, even if you have no physical harm to fear from them. And it is cumulatively more terrifying to face a hundred. And then think what it means to contemplate that there may be a million or a 100 million or many 100 millions who are thinking and praying and hoping against you; to know that you stand convicted in the eyes of man and God. It is no imaginary thing of this power of moral force. It is a power that overrides in its own time and in its own way all of the barriers set up against it and all of those who disregard it. It is a power so real that no wise man reckons without it, and no fool can for long.
In an atmosphere of trust, of good will, of kindness, and of good conduct there is an observable tendency toward physical and mental wellbeing, which has its bearing on health and happiness. To wrestle with a gnawing, troubled conscience, devoid of peace, is a punishment which no scriptural fire and brimstone can equal, and which takes its toll physically, mentally, and spiritually. Of course, there is good authority for the fact that rewards and punishments are not confined wholly to the present. Sometimes the mills of the gods grind slowly. Sometimes it seems that justice is not done in this life. And why it should be so may have to be left for answer beyond the bounds of this world. But to those who do not care to project their thinking beyond their present life’s expectancy, to those who want to know only what a given course will do for them here and now, let it be said that, in a very real sense, every day brings its own reward and punishment. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”
By Samuel Enos Eghan
Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP), Catherine Mawunya Gagakuma, is a career prison officer whose dedication to discipline, service, and rehabilitation has defined her professional journey in the Ghana Prisons Service.
Since joining the service in 2012, CSP Gagakuma has steadily risen through the ranks, earning respect for her firm yet empathetic leadership style and her commitment to transforming correctional management in Ghana.
Her journey into the Ghana Prisons Service began with a desire to serve her country meaningfully. “I wanted to contribute to a system that not only enforces the law but also transforms lives,” she reflects. Over the years, this choice has shaped both her professional and personal growth, guiding her to a position that few women have attained.
CSP Gagakuma was drawn to corrections because it sits at the intersection of justice, humanity, and responsibility. “The Prisons Service is not only about custody; it is about correction, reform, and giving people the opportunity to return to society better than they left,” she explains. This vision has underpinned her career, from her early assignments to her current role as Officer in Charge of Awutu Camp Prison.
A defining moment in her professional growth came when she was posted to Awutu Camp Prison as the first female senior officer at the station and appointed local president of the Prison’s Ladies Association (PRILAS). “Being entrusted with this responsibility was both humbling and motivating,” she recalls. Leadership roles in inmate welfare and rehabilitation allowed her to develop a nuanced understanding of human behaviour, sharpen her decision-making skills, and strengthen her conviction that humane correction is the most effective form of correction.
As Officer in Charge of Awutu Camp Prison, Catherine shoulders immense responsibility, overseeing both staff and inmates while ensuring that the institution operates as a centre for rehabilitation rather than mere confinement. She emphasises that combining discipline with empathy is critical to maintaining order, fostering trust, and promoting rehabilitation among inmates.
Under CSP Gagakuma’s leadership, Awutu Camp Prison stands out for its focus on agricultural programmes, skill development, and rehabilitation. Inmates are given opportunities to learn responsibility, teamwork, and self-worth, creating an environment that prepares them for reintegration into society. “Many inmates respond positively when given responsibility and a genuine second chance,” she observes, emphasising that imprisonment need not hinder personal growth.
Being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated environment has presented its own challenges, but CSP Gagakuma views these as opportunities to strengthen resilience, confidence, and clarity of purpose. She credits her experiences with helping her cultivate emotional intelligence alongside firmness, a balance essential for managing both staff and inmates.
Her leadership style is described as “firm, fair, and affable.” She believes in leading by example, holding both herself and her team accountable while remaining approachable. “I listen carefully, but I also make decisive choices when required,” she notes. Supporting and motivating her officers is central to her philosophy. She fosters a culture of mentorship, open communication, recognition, and encouragement. “Motivated officers are the backbone of every institution,” she asserts. Recognising hard work and providing opportunities for professional development ensures that her team performs effectively while maintaining high ethical standards.
CSP Gagakuma’s work has also shaped her understanding of justice and rehabilitation. She believes that true justice must extend beyond punishment, preparing individuals to return to society better than when they entered the system. This philosophy is central to her approach at Awutu Camp, where the emphasis is on skill acquisition, behavioural change, and humane treatment.
Outside the prison walls, CSP Gagakuma stays grounded through faith, personal reflection, and strong connections with family, friends, and colleagues. These practices sustain her in a demanding career and inform her leadership with balance and perspective.
Looking ahead, she hopes her legacy will be one of discipline, empowerment, and humane correction. “I want to be remembered as a leader who strengthened discipline, promoted rehabilitation, empowered officers, and positively impacted the lives of inmates,” she says. Through her vision, Awutu Camp Prison is not just a facility for custody, but a beacon of ethical leadership, professional development, and transformative correction in Ghana.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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Archbishop Dr Charles Agyinasare, Founder of the Perez Chapel International, has urged Ghanaians to be wary of prophets that prophesy to create confusion, fear, and destroy families and nations.
According to the renowned Bishop, prophetic pathways must align with destinies and not destroy homes and marriages as well as nations. To this end, he urged the Christian faithful to subject prophecies to biblical test, saying, “Prophecies must be tested and understood.”
Bishop Dr Agyinasare said this in his sermon on Sunday on the theme: ‘Prophets and Prophecy, Are They Important.’
It came in the wake of the numerous prophecies that have engulfed the media space with pastors predicting diverse outcomes on the same event. That has raised integrity concerns about some of these prophets and their prophecies.
It became a matter of concern for government after the unfortunate air disaster that claimed the lives of government officials and members of the security services. That led to the establishment of an agency chaired by Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah to receive prophecies of national interest.
It took a different dimension with the New Patriotic Party Presidential Primaries, held last week, with several pastors claiming to have received prophecies but divided on which candidate emerges the winner.
But according to Bishop Agyinasare, although prophecies were important, they ought to be grounded in scripture, governed by accountability, motivated by love, and centred on Christ.
He said the importance of prophets and prophecy have been questioned in recent times not because it disappeared but because it has appeared with intensity; sometimes with beauty and sometimes with abuse. “We live in times when prophetic activities have become widespread, yet discernment is scarce. As a result, some have been blessed and others have been bruised. The answers in scripture is clear and unambiguous but the prophecies must be understood, tested, and rightly handled.”
According to him, prophecies were divine plans of God and not from imagination or cultural trends or ecclesiastical experimentation, saying that “it is not a modern innovation or charismatic novelty.”
“Prophecies are God’s ideas according to scripture, initiated and sustained by him for guidance for the edification of the church,” he emphasised.
He explained that God uses the prophetic word to affirm what he has already said through scripture. “True prophecy applies scripture; it does not replace it. It never competes with scripture. It complements it. We are to test all prophecies,” he indicated.
Furthermore, he noted that prophecy is to glorify Jesus, but when men of God appear to take the glory and are carried by their members for their prophecies, then it is no longer about Jesus, and that is when all goes wrong.
Sadly, he mentioned that some of the prophets have become full of themselves. He said false prophecies usually instill fear among people, create situations of hopelessness, and urged people to beware of such prophecies.
Referencing a scripture in Matthew 7:15-20, Bishop Agyinasare reminded Christians to beware of false prophets, explaining that such people could be recognised by the fruits they bear, believing that some of the prophecies appear to humiliate leaders and cause fear.
By Andrew Nortey
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