The General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Pastor Mensah Otabil, says the state must get out of the way of the citizenry so they can go about their businesses in peace to build their lives and the nation.
In his view, the state must only ensure that the appropriate rules and regulations are set and are fully observed by the citizenry.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch of an ultramodern solar manufacturing plant in Tema, the outspoken preacher said “The state must make way for Ghanaian citizens to build the nation themselves; the state must get out of the way of the citizens. Just set out the rules, enforce the rules, leave us alone and we know how to run our lives and our businesses,” he noted.
Pastor Mensah Otabil added that Ghanaians must renew their faith in the foundational principles of the country, which is freedom and justice to enable the nation grow. He said almost every business person in Ghana is now concerned about whether the government likes him or not, a situation he said is affecting the economy, adding that people must be allowed to operate freely without seeking for favours from government.
“We must renew our faith in the nation’s foundational principles which is freedom and justice. And I must add work and happiness. Just work and be happy not looking back to see whether the government likes you or not; who cares whether the government likes you or not. I must live my life; whether you hate me or not shouldn’t be my problem. Why should the business person wonder whether the minister of a particular ministry likes him or not or the President or some other person likes him or not? All we want to see is that, the laws of Ghana are applied fairly and justly and I live my life the way I want to live my life”.
Ghanaians achieving success at post-retirement age
The renowned teacher expressed concern about the fact that most Ghanaians achieved success at post retirement age, explaining that people will do more when they are given space and the right environment to operate. “We have seen that when people are given space, they can function. I wish the group chairman of the solar manufacturing plant; Mr Akuamoah Boateng had done this solar investment at age 35. The CEO of Facebook, Mark Zukerburg developed Facebook at age 24 as well as some great industrialists who also developed their businesses at a tender age and took it to a high level in their thirties. But in our part of the world, post retirement is where people achieve success”.
He said success must be produced at a younger age so that people can live the rest of their lives self-actualized.
“The state will just do what it must do and the people will do what they can do. The language we need in this country is that, we don’t want government to feed us, we don’t need government to build our industries for us; but rather open the door and we will do it ourselves because we know how to do things for ourselves” he noted.
Ghana has no big problems
According to the respected preacher, Ghana does not have big problems but rather little incidents that have been allowed to grow into national crisis.
He said the main features of a modern society includes:
a. Enforcement of player standards and codes for the management of all aspects of the society,
b. Enlargement of personal liberties through equitable access of all to justice,
c. Fairness and opportunity,
d. Establishment of reliable systems of transportation to quickly and efficiently move people and goods,
e. Capital and information to build an integrated society,
f. Expansion and growth of science and technology industry,
invention, arts and culture,
g. Encouragement and growth of knowledge based society that creates areas of specialization to increase the competitiveness of various segments of the society.
He said the aforementioned will enable citizens create wealth and do things for themselves without government interference, if they are put in place. He added that for Ghana to move from third world to a better world, she needs a reliable national identification system, credible land tittle registration system, usable and physical address system and an enforced town and city planning system.
We Need Space To Succeed Not Favours – Otabil To Gov’t
