editor in chief

Once upon a time, Ghana hosted the CAN 2008. Prior to the big event, every participating nation was vigorously preparing to name its squad for the bi-annual event. In the case of Ghana, 30 players were invited for camping at the rich oil nation of the United Arab Emirates. After several weeks of hard training, a final 18-man squad was named. Meaning 12 players were asked to go home. The squad included local and foreign-based players. The 12, who were excluded from the final squad, expressed their disquiet about the whole selection process. But there was nothing that could be done about it. Others went to the extent of holding press conferences to express what they called “an unfair selection”. This goes to collaborate the biblical saying that “…many are called, but few are chosen…”

A students’ Union of a Presbyterian Church had their elections to appoint new executives. Many were nominated, some were incumbents and others were ‘fresh’-for the first time. Several weeks of vetting, praying and slight campaign were undertaken.     

Alas, the die was cast on the 21^st of September 2008 for the election of new executives. Prior to the vote cast, few minutes was allocated to each aspirant to assure the house of their willingness to take up the mantle if voted into office. To my amazement, it turned out to be a “holy Spirit Declaration”. In other words, there was no self-availance and willingness to do the work.(that is my own opinion).

 

Finally the results were announced and as expected, some were in a “holy-spiritual mood” whilst others were in a mood, which can best be described as “suicidal depression”. There were some few surprises. For a example, an aspirant who was highly tipped to get the slot for the General secretary positision, veraciously swapped with the rather tipped assistant. An incumbent, who was not expected to get more than three votes, had more than expected but could not make the mark.

 

At long last the men were separated from the boys. But something dramatic happened. It was as if one of the signatories of the union was dead silence. I was wondering why the utmost silence, may be he/she was not “spiritually acclaimed” There is a popular saying that “The so-called light at the end of the tunnel may probably be the headlamp of a train”. Am I right to perceive it that way? What confuses me the more was the way a manner the “signatory” vanished out of thin air without waiting for a colleague after close of meeting. Is it tantamount to emotional turmoil and trauma? Well I leave it for the clinical psychologists to conclude.

 

To the newly elected executives, I say congratulations for having been elected to your new position. Know that you have now been elevated from the “flockship” to the “shepherdship”. The onus lies on you now to exhibit your best. This can only be achieved when there is unity and tranquility amongst you all. It behoves all of you to perform your various functions effectively devoid of mishaps. The best tool I would advice for your effectiveness is the tool of good communication skills. Proper handling of your communication skills goes to the extent of showing how mature you are. Never loose sight of the fact that maturity is not a matter of age but has got to do with taking up responsibilities and executing it to the best of your abilities. Know that you are still in the learning process therefore no one is perfect. It is the time to share ideas and learn from each other. Criticisms from members would flow like water but the ability to understand the better part of the criticism and ‘transmogrify’ it into something useful makes you a good leader. A successful leader is someone who lays the bricks his enemies have throne at him. Never think of procrastination, it brings about impossibilities. And there is a saying that “Impossible is a word only to be found in the dictionary of fools”. The fact that you have been elected into such a prestige position is not a guarantee for misbehaving. Your lifestyle in and outside the union should well be approved of the Christian standards and have it in mind that you serve as role models to the members and those who are yet to join the union. “Before you lead others, lead yourself” goes a popular saying.

 

To the entire members of the group, I say “AYEKOO” for availing yourself for the Holy Spirit to use you in choosing competent leaders for the union. My only advice to all of us is that, the union does not belong to only the executives but for all of us. It will therefore be prudent for all of us to put our hands on deck for a worthy course. Continue to raise relevant issues and criticize where necessary but be careful the way to go about it. Criticism like rain should be gentle enough to nourish one’s growth without destroying one’s root. Unnecessary argument in an angry mood should be avoided because words spoken in anger are more destructive than the bullet of a soldier’s gun.

 

Finally everybody, both members and executives, should work hand in hand for a common purpose and be at peace with all. Let me end with a quote from a celebrated woman known as Theodore Roosevelt, which says that “The credit belongs to those people who are actually in the arena…who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions to a worthy cause; who, at best, know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat”.