The Three Fingers - Strange Jewel: Strange Jewel

By JOHN OTU

Since the fall of man, the earth has groaned in pain alongside men in anticipation of a divine interruption to end the spell of pain and misery. Men have tried in their wisdom to control the hardship in the world, they have not been able to breakthrough. Philosophers and Sages in their wisdom have presented solutions that couldn't turn the tides. World leaders in unity have been confounded by unforeseen economic downturn.

Solution to the economic crisis in Africa started as a hope, but in the minds of many, it has faded into an illusion. World financial crises has defied the brilliance of economists and confounded the laws and principles of economics. Truly, the World, especially the continent of Africa searches for a solution to these crises that reside among them.

The fingers of the most intelligent men have failed. Their wisdom and craft have been subdued by the misery of our Planet. We need a solution, but we know such solution is far beyond the wisdom of man. We need the fingers of a Wise one, whose intelligence confounds the misery of our crises. These three fingers represent the Eternal Spirit - the begetter of all Creatures in His absolute and supreme manifestations as the Eternal Father - the greatest Redeemer, and the Eternal Son - the wisdom, power and love of God.

The Fingers of God is much needed in the earth today so that we can transcend the woes that have befallen us. God’s wisdom cannot reign in our affairs until we invite Him. The Three Fingers have upheld the foundations of the earth and the heavens since eternity past. Let us permit the swift motion of the Supreme Wisdom of God in all our affairs, so that the nations of the world would live in freedom from their present woes and crises.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716861239

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DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my Dad, Rtd. WOI Eric Teye Lawer, all Christians, and the people of Africa.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Firstly, I give thanks to the LORD God Almighty who placed this topic on my heart. Working on this project hasn’t been an easy one, however, His Spirit has inspired and helped me through each stage. Father, indeed I, your son can do nothing of myself, but what I see you do. You have kept me through and made this project a reality. Thank you LORD for everything. I would like to acknowledge my parents, most especially these two women: Mrs. Millicent Lawer and Mrs. Felicia Appiah. I am grateful for the help, support, advice and care you offered me. The journey has not been an easy one. However, our God has been faithful to us.

Also, to these great people who have been instrumental in my upbringing: Mrs. Elizabeth Abbey (Accra Academy – Assistant Head of Domestic (Past)), Rev. Samuel Amposah-Asiamah (Presbyterian Church of Ghana - Adombrobe), Pastor Shadrack Addo Arnan (PIWC – Kotei), Mr. Davis Stephen Owusu (Canada), Pastor Kweku Poku Odum (Accra Academy), Elder Godfred Boanye (KNUST), Pastor Joshua Appiah (Church of Pentecost) and my mentor, Prof. Mrs. Ibok Oduro (KNUST).

I cannot just forget the training and support I have received from each one of you. I was so young and knew nothing but you all believed in me. I was not the best child anyone would want to have but you all had faith in me, you all helped me become a better person. I am still learning and I know you all continue to help me grow. This is what has come out of the seed you all sowed in me, I am so grateful for everything. May the good Lord abundantly bless you all. 

Finally, I would like to appreciate Mr. Michael Okoroh, Mr. Prosper Setsoafia, Mr. George Ofori-Atta and Miss Hannah Asante who have worked tirelessly as editors of this project. I am deeply grateful for your contributions towards this work. Without you folks, this work would have been incomplete.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD      viii

INTRODUCTION      xi

ALL IS NOT LOST      1

THE CRISIS IN AFRICA      8

ECONOMIC HARDSHIP9

CORRUPTION18

UNEMPLOYMENT25

A NEW DEBT STOCK OF AFRICA32

LEADERSHIP37

WHERE AFRICA’S HISTORY BEGAN      59

EARLY DAYS IN AFRICA60

COLONIZATION62

DE-COLONIZATION65

THE ROOT OF AFRICA’S PROBLEMS      68

THE GREEDY FARMER69

FEAR AND LOVE79

THESE THREE REMAIN100

THE BATTLE OF THE MIND      106

HE WHO FEEDS YOUR STOMACH, FEEDS YOUR MIND107

A RACIAL STORY126

YOUR MIND, YOUR ASSET131

REFERENCES      155

FOREWORD

T

he author makes profound and thought-provoking revelations on the subject matter. It is very important and necessary for us to stand up as a nation and continent. Ghana as a nation and Africa as a continent need a renewal of mind regarding the questions asked in this book. We must understand that until the citizens are transformed into leaders, they can never become an agent of change in our world.

Your culture has done a relevant job in molding who you are. Most of the challenges arising in our continent has much to do with leadership. There must be individuals who would be committed to the development of our communities, nations and the continent of Africa. Our paradigm determines our worldview and the way we see things. Everything in this world rises and falls on leadership but on the contrary, we cannot blame leaders for everything that goes wrong because our leaders are a reflection of us.

We must all arise and get involved. The test of a true leader is the ability to bring others first before their personal interests. Leaders give their people a sense of meaning. Leadership never begins with the people; it starts with you – Myles Munroe. We must arise to challenge the status quo. Where are the true leaders?

There are pertinent issues such as corruption, unemployment, and other challenging topics. Christians must rise and challenge the status quo and defeat the tag that the people of the world have labelled us with.  The church is the only entity that God trusts to bring the desired change on the earth. We must set the pace and take the proper place to lead transformation in our continent.

We cannot be Christians on Sundays and in our work places…. It must be seen in the rest of the days and everywhere! We at times seem to fear human beings more than the Invisible God. Religion cannot save the continent at all. There are other continents who do not care much about religion yet are making tremendous changes in the world. There has to be virtues such as commitment, punctuality, discipline, excellence, and love cultivated in our continent

This profound statement really struck a core of my heart, "Independence cannot be real if a nation depends upon gifts" which was made by Julius Nyerere. We as a continent cannot be depending on other countries for almost everything we need. For he who controls our minds controls our bodies just as he who controls our stomach controls our minds. We must employ individuals with the exact skills for specific jobs to develop our nations.

How long would we keep on begging? He who begs every time becomes a slave and losses dignity. Learn to treasure made in goods from your country and purchase them wholeheartedly. We have a lot of untapped resources – human and capital resources; they must be utilized.We must all rise and take our respective positions wherever we find ourselves. Change is coming but the question is how many of us are ready to embrace it?

The continent can survive the hardship of the present. It does not matter where you are, come along as we walk through this powerful book which I classify as the eye opener. Dare to change your paradigm. Reading without application is equivalent to doing nothing at all. Practice makes perfection! I recommend this book to all but most especially the youth and those in leadership positions.

Pastor Shadrack Addo Arnan

PIWC Kotei / Asokwa Area Youth Pastor

INTRODUCTION

T

his book chronicles issues that have plagued the black race and her continent – Africa. It has been written in the form of a series, partitioned into two separate books, namely:

The Three Fingers: Strange Jewel

The Three Fingers: When Success Is Not an Option but A Necessity

This first book discusses certain critical and crucial problems surrounding the continent of Africa. It opens the minds and hearts of its readers into the complexity of the problems and presents a sure way to turn things around.

Thus, proposing constructive solutions potent enough to dissolve these problems in order to transform the Land. The African continent, with its numerous invaluable resources, still struggles to provide sufficiently for her children as it ought to. Majority of its people put their hopes in their Leaders, but should they continue doing so? We will find out shortly.

In life, understanding past events can be a significant guide in laying strong foundation for the future. For Marcus Garvey once said, A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. Indeed, this is a true saying that ought to be appreciated. For it is important to note that no continent or nation has ever made any significant progress and arrive at its destination whilst her people do not know and understand their prime history.

In fact, it is futile to expect an end if there has never been a beginning. For history always repeats itself, and its important people in Africa know the lessons of the past. As humans, we sometimes take photo-shots of ourselves during special moments to preserve precious memories and to help us keep track of the progress we have made. Normally, this provides us with an understanding of our past positions and helps us predict in near accuracy our future. For when memories of the past are lost, there can surely be a repetition of the events of the past.

A repetition of the mistakes of the past and this is so not just for an individual but also for a nation or a continent. Being able to keep track of past events can help a continent to strenuously change certain events of the past happening in the events of the now, which in turn would preserve the future of such a continent. What is seen, heard and witnessed in Africa is disturbing and heartbreaking.

My motive for writing this epistle is not to deliberately create a gloomy picture or paint the African continent as so dark. Instead, it is to present issues as they are, so most of her citizens would see where and how they have fallen from the very fundamentals of life. Before you proceed, I would like you to pause for a moment to ponder over certain issues you see or hear of in Africa.

Begin from whichever part of the continent you find yourself and envision their attitude, culture, beliefs, planning, leadership, the standard of living and everything that revolve around their lives. When done, draw a big picture of your thoughts in your mind. I would like to ask you a simple question based on the picture you have. What do you think Africa would be like in the next fifty or more years to come?

Will it be a continent known for solving her problems or a continent known for creating problems she normally cannot solve? For the characteristics of the former to be witnessed and exhibited over the latter, it is important we address certain issues happening in the continent. This is why this book has been written; to preserve our lives, our destinies and our future.

It is palpable that honesty is a scarce virtue, yet I’d declare the realities of ugly issues without fear or favouritism. The truth has no friends, yet we must embrace it to escape our present predicaments. I will therefore try my best to discuss issues as they are and not seek to please anyone. Not hiding anything that ought to be known, even if it involves you – my dear reader or myself. For it is as Martin Luther King Jr. said, The day we see the truth and cease to speak is the day we begin to die. And also as J.C. Ryle said,

We must give up the vain idea of trying to please everybody. That is impossible, and the attempt is a mere waste of time. We must be content to walk in Christ’s steps, and let the world say what it likes

J.C. Ryle

Your ability to understand the information I put across would help prepare you for the journey ahead of your life. Whatever you learn from this book, and decide to work upon is that which will affect your life in the near future. Make every effort to fully understand a topic before you move to the next. Read it severally until you have understood and grasped everything about it. For Zig Ziglar once said, Repetition, is the mother of learning. If you repeatedly read a thing, the higher your chances of becoming acquainted with the information given out.

The second book which is a continuation