Features
The quandary of Prophet Nathan
Recently I have been compelled to reflect on the issue of Prophet Nathan and the assignment given to him by God to rebuke and declare God’s intention towards David, for taking someone’s wife and murdering him.
There are times in a man’s life that you need to either choose to obey God or behave like Jonah who disobeyed God. Depending on the consequences of obeying the instructions of God, in terms of either what you stand to lose, or the wrath you may incur from certain personalities, you may choose not to do the right thing.
Deciding to do the right thing, which means obeying God, who is the embodiment of all that is right, can be very tricky at times, due to the impact it may have on relations between yourself and others, or on your loved ones.
In some instances, you take into consideration the danger you may be exposed to and you are tempted to say to yourself, “Am I the only person who has been called to do the right thing”?
Nathan was a Prophet of God as recorded in the Bible, in the time of King David, according to 2 Samuel chapter 12. The story has it that, in the days when Kings went to war to acquire territories, King David decided to relax in his palace. As he was walking around the palace at the roof top, he saw a beautiful woman having her bath.
I am tempted to believe that she was a young lady so the protrusions in her chest area, indeed was a sight to behold; the men would understand what I am saying. The King, instead of taking his eyes off quickly, rather gazed at her naked body and was therefore mesmerised by what he saw and succumbed to lust.
He sent for her and committed adultery and when he was informed a few weeks later by the lady that she was pregnant, hatched an evil plan and got the husband killed. God being a just God by nature, was very angry and therefore sent Prophet Nathan to declare to David that what he had planned to do to David, as punishment for his evil deeds.
The dilemma for Nathan, the prophet of God was how to deliver such an unpleasant message to King of all Israel, who had the power to kill and to keep alive because such was the authority of Kings at the time. If he chose to obey God, there could be serious consequences not only for him but could even extend to his family.
On the other hand, if he decided to do a Jonah, he faces another potential consequences so what was he to do? Someone I know told me about a dilemma she faced when she accidentally discovered that her friend’s husband, had a separate secret family. She was shocked when she saw the secret wife and her two children with the man.
Was she to tell the friend of what she had discovered as a good friend should do and is also the right thing to do or keep quiet and condone the wrong thing fearing the consequences of divorce and associated issues that she had destroyed her friend’s marriage?
Most people are confronted with such situations which I term the quandary of Nathan in various aspects of our lives, whether at the workplace, churches, clubs, schools, etc. Instead of gathering the courage to do the right thing, we tend to fear what the society might perceive us to be or the possible backlash, instead of doing that which is right and pleases God.
Let us choose to be like Prophet Nathan who chose to do the right thing and please God so we receive blessings from God and also avoid living with a guilty conscience. It is dangerous to live with a guilty conscience. God bless.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
In every society, there are people who do things their own way, regardless of what others think. Take the man who, by good fortune, acquired a beautiful Benz bus. Rather than becoming a bossy transport owner demanding daily accounts, he chose a different path. He hired a driver—but no driver’s mate. He became the mate himself. The bold inscription on the back of the bus reads: “MAN NO FOOL.”
He’s no fool, having long observed how drivers and mates conspire with daily accounts. He’s far above such tricks.
Domestic Pragmatism
Then there’s the married man enforcing his own version of the division of labor. One morning, he decreed he would handle all daily market shopping because he suspected his wife was “tearing chobo.” Earlier, he had claimed the kitchen ladle as his own, citing dissatisfaction with the portion sizes compared to his “chop-money” contributions.
From that day, he became the chief cook, while his wife became the steward. When the soup was ready, she would call him to allocate the meat. He called it “domestic pragmatism.”
The Dancing Kiosk
Consider a couple who ran a kiosk and, to protect their goods from theft, chose to sleep there each night. Last week, during heavy rains, they were asleep when the downpour started. Both began dreaming they were dancing at a jamboree—an uncanny simultaneous dream.
When they awoke, reality hit: their kiosk was afloat, doing a Michael Jackson-style dance in the floodwaters. They were lucky to survive. Others were not so fortunate.
That Tuesday, 24 residents of Accra lost their lives in the heaviest rains in 59 years. Property was destroyed, animals drowned, and the city experienced its worst traffic jams ever.
Floods and “Neck Insurance”
During the rains, waist-deep waters forced residents to become human transport, carrying others for a fee. I was spared, though I imagined my weight would have made “neck insurance” a must!
The aftermath left offices soaked, radios swimming on carpets, and workers struggling to salvage belongings. My office radio survived after drying, perhaps imbued with some holy-ghost luck—it seemed to walk on water.
A Call for Action
Mr. Nat Nunoo-Amarteifio, AMA boss, later appeared on the air to explain the floods, citing rising sea and lagoon levels. While informative, action is key. Years of warnings by veteran journalist Tom Dorkenoo—a man of prophetic environmental insight—have highlighted Accra’s vulnerability to floods. Two years ago, he outlined the risks, and the warnings proved accurate.
It is not enough for authorities to merely announce intentions to address drainage issues or unauthorized buildings. They must act decisively to prevent recurring disasters. Floods, property losses, and fatalities are preventable with proactive planning and strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
The Lesson
The saga of the dancing kiosk reminds us of human resilience, absurdity, and tragedy. While humor can lighten the story, the underlying message is serious: Accra’s flood challenges require urgent, sustained action.
Let us hope future rainy seasons bring fewer dancing kiosks and more effective city planning.
By Merari Alomele
Spectator
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Starvation is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including food availability, economic stability, and government policies. Understanding the mathematics of starvation involves analyzing calorie requirements, food distribution, and nutritional needs to ensure individuals receive sufficient sustenance for survival and health.
Calculating Nutritional Needs
To understand the scale of starvation, it is crucial to determine the daily caloric requirements of individuals based on age, sex, weight, and activity levels. For example, populations like that of the Gaza Strip require a specific number of calories per person per day to prevent malnutrition and starvation.
Food Distribution and Availability
Equally important is assessing food distribution and availability. This includes calculating the total food needed to meet nutritional requirements and ensuring it reaches those in need. In Gaza, Israel controls food inflow and determines the number of calories Palestinians require. However, the actual amount of food allowed into the territory often falls far below minimum nutritional needs.
Consequences of Inadequate Food Supply
Inadequate food supply leads to severe consequences such as malnutrition, starvation, and death. For instance, between March and June, Israel allowed only 56,000 tonnes of food into Gaza—less than a quarter of the territory’s minimum needs during that period.
Global Perspective
Starvation is not unique to Gaza. Millions worldwide face food insecurity due to conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Understanding the mathematics of starvation enables policymakers and humanitarian organizations to devise strategies that target the root causes of hunger effectively.
Key Factors Contributing to Starvation
- Poverty: Lack of resources limits access to sufficient food.
- Conflict: Wars disrupt food production and distribution networks.
- Climate Change: Extreme weather reduces agricultural yields.
- Economic Instability: Market fluctuations hinder access to food.
Addressing Starvation
Combating starvation requires addressing its underlying causes:
- Food Aid: Provide sufficient, targeted food assistance to those in need.
- Economic Support: Promote economic stability to improve access to food.
- Conflict Resolution: Resolve conflicts to restore production and distribution networks.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Adopt sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food security.
In conclusion, the mathematics of starvation underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to food insecurity. By understanding nutritional needs, calculating food distribution, and tackling the root causes, societies can work towards a future where hunger is no longer a daily threat.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPON
Spectator
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