The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, has strongly condemned the abuse of power in political circles, the corporate world, workplaces and marital homes, describing it as a tool often used to advance selfish interests or gain undue advantage.
“In the name of acquiring wealth, attaining political positions, or gaining promotion in the workplace, some people use all sorts of wicked means to mistreat or eliminate their perceived enemies.
This is what King Herod attempted against baby Jesus, and such crude methods we must eschew as political leaders or private individuals,” he urged.
Rev. Wengam was delivering the sermon at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra last Thursday at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols hosted by Parliament.
Also present was President John Dramani Mahama, who read a scripture. Other scriptural readings were delivered by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin; the Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror; a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kwaku Tawiah Ackah Boafo; Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga; Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagye, and the Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Prof. Amin Alhassan.
Members from all sides of Parliament were present at the event. Other guests included ministers of state, government appointees, a representative of the Chief Justice, members of the clergy, among others, with the Parliamentary Service Choir—also known as the Angelic Voices of Democrats—in attendance.
Critical lessons
Rev. Wengam, who is also the Vice-Chairman of Africa Assemblies of God Alliance (AAGA), said the Christmas story presented critical lessons for personal and national advancement. One such lesson is reconciliation.
He emphasised that the Christmas story was meaningless unless humanity took resolute steps to turn away from their sins and seek reconciliation with God, their Maker, who alone could guarantee their success in life.
“We must reconcile with God vertically and reconcile with our neighbours, colleagues, spouses, and children horizontally,” Rev. Wengam added.
In reference to obedience by Joseph and Mary to a decree for a census after the birth of Jesus, he said, “God would not do by a miracle what people must do through responsibility, common sense and simple obedience.”
Rev. Wengam, therefore, underlined the need for Ghanaians to be law-abiding.
Political leadership
Political leadership, he said, must pursue a national vision that transcended narrow partisan considerations.
He said such a vision must be backed by strong moral values as a critical compass for holistic development.
The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, reminded the audience that the then-powerful Roman Empire crumpled due to moral failure, particularly sexual immorality, and such failure must not be repeated by the present generation.
Rev. Wengam urged the government, Parliament and other state institutions to do more to protect human rights and advance the interests of Ghanaians.
“The security agencies should also step up measures to protect the civilian population while the people themselves prioritise their personal safety and security,” Rev. Wengam added.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
