There is no doubt that the renowned Ghanaian preacher, Dr. Mensa Otabil has done well for him, Ghana, Africa and the world. I had a brief look at his short biography, and he was conspicuously among the list of ‘Ghana Famous People’ on Ghanaweb.com.

I used to admire Dr. Otabil’s motivational speeches interspersed with biblical quotations to buttress his points on Joy News a lot. Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil’s preaching usually centered on morality, personal development and political dynamics in the country. In those days, my favourite part of his daily or weekly Joy News televised motivational speeches was the application of the Word of God in a practical manner. He also stressed, in his speeches, personal development, among others, to live a meaningful life.

During former President Mahama’s period till 2016, Dr. Otabil was highly vocal on political dynamics in the country. One of such ‘political’ sermons of Dr. Otabil around 2016 was entitled ‘The result of the vote’! In this sermon, he lamented how Ghana was governed under former President Mahama and clearly intimated that, one may vote for a government that would come into power and punish you, the voter. He also made a poignant statement that a nation becomes what its citizens vote for. I completely agree with the Man of God’s assertion as this is highly possible.

Therefore, Dr. Otabil wanted to encourage his church members as well as Ghanaians to vote carefully in the 2016 general elections to change political leadership since there was dumsor, ebola disease in the system and economic challenges. If it was true then, it should be true now.

Curiously, as soon as there was a change in government in 2017 under President Akufo-Ado and Dr. Bawumia till now, the man of God seems to have lost his public preaching voice under this regime.

The first term of President Akufo-Addo was not impressive to Ghanaians, leading to a deadly general election in 2020. The hardships the Man of God talked about in 2016 worsened including the massive collapse of financial institutions, one of which (Capital Bank) he chaired then. Dr. Otabil’s voice appeared to have died down in his pulpit to date.

Why is it that Dr. Otabil lost his voice like many other men of God under Akufo-Addo’ Presidency, which is badly managed, and our country knows no peace and real development?

Ghanaians are literally punished now by led by Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia, the very government they voted for in 2016. Instead of Dr. Otabil preaching about the very things or worse than previous issues, he decided to see no evil, hear no evil and say no ‘holy’ word to the powers that be.

A few days ago, Dr. Otabil said that God does not choose leaders for countries. For this, I disagree with him largely as a Christian. God is all knowing and therefore knows who to allow to lead a company, church, country, etc. To have bad political leaders does not mean that God has no hand in the selection of such leaders.

Even in churches, we have bad or fake Men of God, and it is God who will judge them all in the end. I still hold the believe that it is God installs or allows leaders through people or circumstances.

For Men of God including Dr. Otabil to have more credibility and persuasion in the country, they should be seen to be neutral and allow what belongs to Caesar be, and what belongs to God be, to guide us.

I was let down by Dr. Otabil’s sudden change of preaching and/or silence on the mess caused by this Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led regime now. In fact, this unfortunate turn of events has been widespread in various institutions like the GJA, Peace Council, etc. for quite a while now.