Let The Peace Mission Continue…

A year ago we lost our sitting president. That was the first time such a thing occurred in Ghana. We all received the news with mixed feelings and uncertainty, many of us never thought it could happen that way, not because we don't believe in the existence of death or that a sitting president could die, but rather because it was never expected. We all know that no man is immortal and yet we are scared at the mention of death. That certainly thought me a very big lesson in life.

That is when all is said and done, only your deeds will be left behind. No matter who you are or may be what you have to do, you must do it now, because when death knocks at your door, no amount of excuse can guarantee your stay here on earth.

That fateful day Tuesday, I was coming from Legon when my eleven year old nephew called with wailing that death has laid its Icy hand on the old Prof. The man who had taught most of his life imparting knowledge into the youth of this country was taken away without our preparedness, that was how it happened. That day, when I broke the news to those I was on board of the vehicle with, I was nearly lynched. Many said they will never believe it because some Ghanaians are noted for wishing him dead and have always reported his death.

The man who is credited for introducing concrete reforms into our tax system when he was the administrator was known for leaving concrete legacies wherever he finds himself. It was not surprising when he was chosen among the lot by former president Jerry John Rawlings to become his vice.

The man who was a politician, a lawyer, a tax expert and a sport administrator brought his good sportsmanship to bear when he decided to contest for the high office of the land. He learned to play by the rules of the game. Anytime he suffers an election defeat, he concedes graciously, this he did on two occasions within 8 years. It was no surprise to many a Ghanaian when he was finally voted into power by the good people of Ghana to showcase to the world what he has always been preaching and willing to bring onto the table of development in the country.

His level of tolerance, respect for all, humility, and peace loving had earned him the accolade, 'Asomdweehene' King of peace. He abhorred politics of victimization, vendetta, tribalism, insults. He will never be forgotten for his ability to stomach criticism from both opposition and his own party people. It was reported that anytime he is insulted and those closer to him insists on retaliating, he will tell them never to do it. He was not ready to go into the gutters with those vilifying him. He was a politician who believes that politics is about serving the people through the implementation of policies that will help this generation and those yet unborn.

That was the kind of leader that Ghana, Africa and the global community lost 3 days after his 68th birthday. His love and care for the less privileged has made it a tradition for items to be donated to some selected needy homes on every occasion of his birthday. I was glad to hear the former First Lady Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills has pledged to continue the ritual of donating on every birthday of the late President. It is a step in the right direction and must be supported by all of us.

My first encounter with the late President was in 2011. That was when the issue of accommodation and classrooms for the 3 and 4 year Senior High School Students arouse. When I met the president as the then Greater Accra Regional Students' Representative President, he gave me all the needed attention. He assured me both in action and in deeds that he was burnt on getting the needed solution to the problem. He demonstrated that by asking the then Minister of education as well as the GETFUND Coordinator to roll out a program that will help in completing ongoing projects in the various schools across the country. I must say that everything was not perfect in relation to getting accommodation and classrooms for our people then, but his action-oriented leadership was remarkable, his listening and accommodating ability cannot be overlooked.

I was more surprised when he willingly asked me if I have any advice for him apart from what I came to discuss with him. The man was humbled to the extent that he believed there was something unique to be learnt from everyone.

As an organization that is into Mentorship and Leadership Training we will like to use this medium to urge all our members, followers and the entire country to work hard in promoting the legacies left behind by the old Professor, the legacy of tolerance, humility, consistency, politics of conscience, service and refined language, charity and peace even as we celebrate his one year anniversary and 69th birthday.

As he has continuously preached and lived by peace, we must all continue in that spirit even as we all await the verdict of the Supreme Court in relation to the 2012 election petition.

Some people may not have appreciated what he did while alive, many may not have eulogized him when he was doing his best for this country, but I think that many agreed that his death was to serve as atonement for the peace of this country leading up to the 2012 elections.

Whether we agree or disagree with that, we all appreciate the presence of peace in this country, it shouldn't have taken the death of our president to bring peace, it shouldn't have taken his death to bring unity because without peace and unity nothing significant can be achieved.

As we all preach peace from our mouths, we should always remember that, it is not the preaching or singing of peace that matters, but the acting of it.

The best form of memory we can ever give our former President, the King of Peace, is a peaceful country, Peace should not die before we start eulogizing it. We should all appreciate it and work towards its maintenance.

We should all resolve to let the peace mission continue to rain in our hearts, homes, communities and country as our former President will always wish to see us do.

Prosper Dzitse, President/CEO-Institute of Mentorship and Leadership Training,
Email: [email protected], [email protected], http://www.modernghana.com/author/ProsperDzitse
Blog: presidentdzitse.blogspot.com, shineimlt.blogspot.com