By King Amoah.
From the heart of Kumasi Oforikrom in the Ashanti region a profound and timely warning has resonated across Ghana.
Apostle Kweku Appiah, Senior Pastor of the Faith Outreach Ministry has not merely delivered a sermon; he has also issued a chilling indictment of a society seemingly adrift and a passionate plea for a return to the foundational values of respect and lawfulness.
His statement born of deep sorrow and concern is a stark reminder that the very fabric of a nation is woven not just with policies and infrastructure but with the moral fibre of its people.
Apostle Appiah’s lament strikes at the core of what many Ghanaians instinctively feel: a troubling erosion of the very pillars that uphold a thriving society.
He spoke of a time when respect is no more regarded as one of the significant laws that God passed for human beings to ensure peaceful coexistence and economic growth.
This is not just about good manners, it is about the divine blueprint for order and prosperity.
When respect for elders, for authority and for the wisdom of those who have walked before us dissipates a society loses its anchor.
The spectacle he describe about teenagers and even younger individuals insulting chiefs, political figures, and even the President on public airwaves and social media platforms without the fear of God or consequence are indeed terrified.
Speaking to the correspondent in an exclusive interview on Thursday August 21st Apostle Kweku Appiah noted that insults and abusive words speak to a fundamental breakdown in the chain of authority.
He said when parents themselves have lost the ability to discipline their children and when societal structures offer no deterrent the question Apostle Appiah poses is are we trying to beat war drums based on our habits?
Adding that in such a situation it becomes less a rhetorical question and more a chilling prophecy.
But the Senior Pastor’s message goes beyond just personal disrespect; it intertwines with the broader issue of lawlessness.
He rightly pointed out that this disregard for established norms leads directly to the underdevelopment of a country.
Apostle Kweku Appiah indicated that a nation cannot build a solid foundations when its citizens particularly its youth flout the laws designed for collective good.
He stressed that corruption thrives where accountability is absent and progress stalls where order gives way to chaos.
In his view the casual disregard for traffic rules bring public property, environmental regulations, or even the basic courtesies of communal living to become symptoms of this deeper malaise.
The advent of social media while a powerful tool for connection he reiterated has also become a dangerous amplifier for this negative trend.
The clergyman hinted that the anonymity often provides an emboldened generation to unleash filthy and vulgar utterance directed on innocent Ghanaians including high profile pastors.
This virtual lawlessness spills over into the physical world by fostering an environment of fear and mistrust where individuals feel big to heed to advice from the elderly person even to the extent of national laws the man of God observed.
Apostle Appiah’s call for the government to pass out some laws that could scare offenders and in turn bring sanity and discipline into the country for the sake of the next generation before the country sinks into oblivion is a cry for urgent intervention.
While legislation is crucial, the core of the problem lies deeper, in the hearts and minds of the people.
Laws can be enacted but they are only effective if there is a societal willingness to uphold them as a system to enforce them without fear or favour.
Building a solid nation as the Apostle envisions to requires a multi-faceted approach:
Re-emphasizing Traditional Values: Ghanaian culture is rich with respect for elders, communal living, and moral rectitude.
We must consciously revive and teach these values, not just as relics of the past but as an essential tools for present and future prosperity.
Parental Re-engagement: The home remains the first school. Parents must reclaim their authority and responsibility to instill discipline, respect, and a fear of God in their children.
Community and Religious Leadership: Beyond sermons religious and traditional leaders must actively mentor guide, and hold their communities accountable, serving as moral compasses.
Effective Law Enforcement: The government must also demonstrate unwavering commitment to upholding the law, ensuring that consequences are swift, fair, and consistent, regardless of social standing or political affiliation.
Impunity breeds contempt for the law.
Education for Civility: Our educational institutions must not only impart knowledge but also character, civics, and ethics, shaping responsible citizens who understand their duties alongside their rights.
Apostle Kweku Appiah’s message is a clarion call to every Ghanaian. It reminds us that a solid nation is not built on material wealth alone, but on the bedrock of mutual respect, adherence to law, and a collective moral conscience.
The choice is stark: continue down the path of disregard and decay, or listen to the wisdom offered, change our attitudes, and work together to reclaim the dignity and promise of Ghana for generations to come.
The fate of the nation as Apostle Kweku Appiah rightly warns, literally hangs in the balance.
