Our history is replete with hero worship of our leaders of all ranks.
Leaders never make mistakes.
From religion across chieftaincy through political and social structures, we see the deification of leaders, by way of references as “Old man,” something associated with wisdom and intelligence, irrespective of personal character, competence and performance.
Chiefs are hardly destooled whilst religious leaders are described in flowery and flattering language.
The Bible, for instance, encourages honour and respect of leaders because they are chosen by God; we therefore go to great lengths to present them as infallible and without blemish. They represent the best of everything.
As for the Christian religious leaders, they take reverence for granted and seem unmindful of some of the stories recounted in the Bible, such as what happened to Nebuchadnezzar or why Moses could not set foot on the Promised Land.
Many of them are not only boastful but give themselves appellations that even Jesus Christ did not claim unless it was suggested to him, whereupon he responded, “You have said it”.
Apostle Paul, in all the manifestations and outreach, never claimed God in his name as the God of Paul, for the faithful, even within the Orthodox churches, the reference and reverence are always to praise and thank the God of Abraham.
The God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, not because we are all not the children of God, but that has been the thrust of Christianity.
But it is not uncommon to hear about the God of this or that Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist or Pastor.
Some of the churches do not have an effigy of Christ Jesus whilst others are represented by him and her, a family possession where the name of Christ Jesus is employed to build wealth and a heritage, at the expense of vulnerable congregants.
Reason
But my primary reason for raising the topic is the demagoguery that has entered our political governance.
During the First Republic, it is noted that the decision of the local government representatives to cede their power and authority to the President to govern effectively resulted in the declaration of a one-party state democratically and constitutionally.
After the spell of military interventions, just before the birth of the Fourth Republic. Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings used his blood to seal the manifesto of the National Democratic Congress.
At public functions, schoolchildren and artistes have been used as surrogates to heap praises on our leaders, by way of appellations and poetry recitals. But in recent times, we seem to be carrying the praise singing beyond tolerable levels.
The ritual of performers elevating traditional leaders to soar seems to have been taken over by political figures as an assurance of their loyalty.
Parties
Political parties are made up of individuals of varying interests who formulate policies, programmes and projects, which are compiled into a manifesto to guide the implementation of plans for national development.
However, instead of a collective posture, it is reduced to the level of an individual, who serves as President and leader of the political party in power.
We are so carried away in this hero worship that we do not shudder to lap all the achievements on this individual and absolve him completely of any failure, turning them into cult figures.
If the adulation and exaltation were to come from children and traditional praise singers, such as those who offer songs and drum appellations, that could be understood for the cultural significance.
However, where it becomes fanatical and sycophantic, from political appointees, mostly Ministers of State, it becomes unenlightening leaning towards dictatorship.
If all the progress, growth and development we have achieved over the 70 years of our nationhood are because of the generosity of a few individuals, then our democratic march has been in vain.
Individuals could offer direction, but it must take collective effort to move forward qualitatively.
We need to end the hero worship when we allude to the generosity and magnanimity of an individual, rather than collective responsibility.
The deification of political leaders in particular must end. It was that which created Mobutu and Yahya Jammeh.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh