Pre-eminent English poet and playwright William Shakespeare’s genius was instilled in his ability to use his literary acumen to interrogate and offer a cogent understanding of the human condition.
In his most political piece, “Julius Caesar”, Shakespeare said through the very respected Roman senator and conspirator, Brutus, “There’s a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at its flood, leads to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and miseries.”
At that pivotal moment in ancient Roman history, Brutus goes on to say something similar and applicable to the crucial political and governance situation Ghana currently finds itself in, to wit, “On such a full sea are we now afloat; And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.”
As Ghana approaches the crucial December 7th elections, political dynamics between President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former President John Dramani Mahama continue to dominate public discourse.
Recently, Nana Addo boldly asserted that he would ensure John Mahama does not return to power. Such a statement underscores the intense rivalry between these two leaders, and even the antagonism the current president has for his predecessor. This raises deeper questions about leadership, power, and divine providence in Ghana’s democracy.
Interestingly, Nana Addo’s political journey offers a paradox. Despite his current assertion of control, his ascension to the presidency in 2016 was not guaranteed. He benefited from the internal dynamics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), particularly when Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen stepped aside to give him a clear path to leadership.
While this may not have been part of a “divine plan,” it was allowed by providence, reflecting the unpredictability of political outcomes.
Nana Addo’s rise to power serves as a reminder that leadership is as much about timing, opportunity and Providence as it is about ambition. His belief now in his ability to dictate John Mahama’s fate, however, seems to overlook a fundamental principle: the sovereignty of God in determining leadership.
Nana Addo now seems to have arrogated to himself, the sovereign power of God through the franchise of the people to elect their own leaders. He forgets that when all said it was impossible for him to ever become president, it took divine intervention for him to attain the highest office of the land.
Now that the shoe is on the other foot, Nana Addo is thinking and ranting that John Mahama cannot also become president. Indeed, he’s gone on to say that he’ll not hand over power to someone (JDM) he’s defeated twice in elections. Indeed, it was Lord Acton who famously said, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
For John Mahama, these assertions should not be a cause for concern. Leadership is ultimately a divine appointment, and history is replete with examples of leaders rising despite human opposition. As Proverbs 21:1 reminds us, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it wherever He pleases.”
A case in point is the recent election and comeback of former US President, Donald John Trump. All the odds were stacked against him. With a felony conviction, poor poll ratings and two assassination attempts, many did not give him a chance of a return to the White House.
But, what may appear in the eyes of men and the political establishment as the dark horse may not be the same measure in the scheme of things of the intangible referees of life with whom the fate of man and the ordering of human affairs lies.
As Ghanaians prepare to vote, the nation is at a crossroads. Citizens must remember that political power is transient, but the divine will prevails. If it is God’s plan for John Mahama to return as president, no amount of opposition can thwart that.
Leadership is a call to service, and Ghana’s new king—chosen by God and confirmed by the people—will emerge to lead the nation into its next chapter and divinely ordained destiny.
