Features
What a hardworking President! (Part 1)
When we look at the work style of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in terms of his age and ability, it tells us that to be able to go far in any endeavour we need the grace of God to be upon us to advance to very high unparalleled levels that are extremely difficult to attain from the point of view of human physique and effort.
There are those who teased the President when he was the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, prior to the 2016 elections that he would never become President in this country. They humiliated him, attacked, and insulted him and bastardised all his attempts to remain focused and win the presidential elections.
After two unsuccessful attempts in 2008 and 2012, he did not call it quit even though he was advancing in age, decided to take some holidays elsewhere, reflect on his lifestyle, back and front, meditate on God, and then come back in full swing. To say the least, he is the most vilified person in Ghana politics today, but despite this, has embraced everyone into his fold.
THIRD ATTEMPT AND GOD’S PURPOSE
For the third attempt, he still chose Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia as his running mate because he strongly believed that God had a purpose for them and so it came as no surprise when in 2016, he emerged gargantuan victorious with the able support of Dr. Bawumia and the people of Ghana who voted for him.
ENORMOUS PROBLEMS
Since becoming President, he has not failed the nation but worked hard, claiming that he was in a hurry to quickly fix the problems facing the country. The enormous problems were lack of good roads, poor health facilities, lack of ambulance vehicles, difficulties in the educational system, abysmal performance of the agricultural sector, low productivity in mining, destruction of rivers which were a source of drinking water, high unemployment rate, looming banking crisis as well as a collapsing economy, among others.
The President of the Republic was not disturbed by these challenges but was rather encouraged to remain focused and see what he could do for the lovely people of this country. Within the first year of his administration, he reiterated that Senior High School, together with Technical and Vocational School, was going to be free so that parents could have the freedom to attend to other needs of their families.
There was one Nana Diasempa of a village in a remote area in the Bono Region. He was so passionate and kind-hearted that despite the numerous problems that faced him and his elders, he gave every assurance to his people and provided meaningful and practical leadership to them, ensuring that their crops became well cultivated while the rivers around were adequately protected to serve as a source of drinking water for his people. This leadership style, provided by Nana Diasempa, is comparable to that of the current President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo for which reason Ghanaians should be proud of him.
FREE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
When Ghana’s President mentioned that we needed a free educational system, some people did not take him seriously. As if this was a joke, the free educational system was put in place by the Akufo-Addo administration in the light of mounting economic difficulties facing the country. Indeed, some members and supporters of his government even doubted whether the government would be able to carry through its promise but, to the glory of God, this was done.
How was the Akufo-Addo administration able to finance the huge debt that was brought about because of the Free SHS, Vocational and Technical School system? This was made possible by hard work and honesty. Instead of putting the money into their own pockets, the little funding available was spread over the educational system to the great relief of many parents. As a result, some village dwellers, who had no hope of making it to second cycle institutions, especially the elite schools, have found themselves there and are also enjoying from the limited resources of the nation.
HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME
There has also been great improvement in the Health Insurance Scheme. People can now renew their health insurance subscription without seeking physical contact with health insurance officers. All that a person needs to do is to sit in the comfort of his/her home and use his/her phone or computer to renew their registration. The good news is that the number of subscribers has gone up tremendously, indicating that many more people are now benefitting from the Health Insurance Scheme.
Having spoken about using the phone or computer to renew a person’s health insurance registration brings in the issue of digitalisation, a move by the Akufo-Addo administration being spearheaded by Vice-President Dr. Bawumia with assistance from the Minister of Communication, Honourable Ursula Owusu-Ekuful. As a result of digitalisation, application for and renewal of passports have been made very easy and convenient for Ghanaians who need such services. Other services like registration for and renewal of driver’s licence have all been made easy. Again, the use of crypto currency instead of real cedi notes and coins is also coming in to modernise the Ghanaian economy. All these show that the economy is being transformed from its old stage to a modernised one.
In the area of peacekeeping, the government has ensured that our military who go on peacekeeping programmes are given better portions of what is paid to them by the United Nations. This has made our soldiers very happy and are more committed to peacekeeping than was the case in the past. Again, new barracks for the military have been built for our soldiers who need decent accommodation to be able to perform their official functions very well. At Burma Camp, Accra, for instance, new accommodation for some of the soldiers has been built while other places in the country have also enjoyed similar facilities for the welfare of our soldiers.
Apart from the President’s achievements in the educational and health sectors, it is also clear that he has done very well in the areas of digitalisation as well as peacekeeping for personnel of the military. Our soldiers are very happy with him because he has been honest enough to pay them higher figures in terms of dollars compared with what was previously given them.
There are other important achievements that the Akufo-Addo administration has been able to attain. These include his role in African intra-regional trade, programmes in the agricultural sector, healthcare delivery and the establishment of a commodity exchange to support the agricultural sector, thereby helping to boost up growth in this sector. These and other achievements are to be discussed for all and sundry to know the good works which the Akufo-Addo administration has undertaken and is still undertaking for this country.
Many African countries would wish that President Akufo-Addo was their leader, seeing that he would have worked hard and catapulted them from misery to happiness. For this reason, people in Ghana should pay attention to his achievements as has been discussed here and continue to give him the support he needs to make the country a lovely and pleasant place for all Ghanaians and other people who are staying in Ghana.
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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