The Host of the Citi Breakfast Show, Bernard Avle, is calling for a paradigm shift in the nature of politics undertaken in the country.
He says the current nature of politics which is heavily driven by foot soldiers and serial callers cannot drive development.
Bernard Avle, who is also the 2017 Journalist of the Year while delivering a lecture on the theme, “Rethinking the National Conversation” at the Swiss Spirit Hotel & Alisa Hotel in Accra, said deliberate efforts must be made to train the next generation of “value-driven, honest and patriotic citizens.”
“We have perfected the art of organizing foot soldiers, rallying delegates, preparing polling station executives, sensitizing serial callers into radio programs, these have been done at the behest of training the next generation to be value-driven, honest and patriotic citizens,” Bernard said.
While making a case for participatory democracy, Bernard Avle stressed the need for moving beyond merely holding elections to activities that will secure the next generation.
“After countries are ravaged by civil war, their citizens are urged to make a transition from bullets to ballots. But in our case, while we hold on to the ballots, let’s shift our focus from votes to visions, from winning the next election to securing the next generation, let’s move from a comparison of records to a refinement of ideas, let’s transition from winning the argument to winning the fight against ignorance, poverty and disease. From Vigilante groups to Citizen Vigilantes from invisible forces and azorka boys to occupying Ghanaians,” he said.
Religion without morality
Bernard Avle, who is also the host of Point of View on Citi TV indicated that the church and religious groups in the country can play major roles in national development, however they seem to have neglected their responsibilities to society in that regard.
He also said the message of prosperity has taken over the message of sufficiency and simplicity that ought to be a major focus in the body of Christ, adding that some so-called Christians are still enslaved by greed and selfishness.
“We have elevated the place of miracles, signs and wonders and neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice, faith and mercy. We have exalted the place of money and prosperity at the expense of morals and principles. We have idolized and deified our general overseers and yet our members do not even appreciate the basic tenets of the faith. We have built fanatical followers of church brands, but have failed in the role of growing Disciples of Christ. We have elevated fancy suit wearing extravagant watch clad prophetic preachers, jostling for place on our airwaves, and out doing each other on primetime television. We have become fixated with a national cathedral when Christ has clearly said that God does not dwell in temples made with hands. And many Christians who know better will keep silent because for them, church membership is now like the fanatical support of their favorite football team, he said.
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By: Jonas Nyabor | citinewsroom.com | Ghana
The post Ghana must shift from electoral politics to dev’t politics – Bernard Avle appeared first on Citi Newsroom.
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