Challenge To Africans In Diaspora

AFRICANS IN DIASPORA CHALLENGED TO INTERNALIZE THE SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE.

Africans in the Diaspora especially, those in North America have been exhorted to embrace the spirit of excellence as a means of overcoming negative limitations that militate against the attainment of their God given potentials. This is because the mark of excellence is the only tool that can break through the boundaries that confine individuals and groups into obscurity.

Reverend Dr. Mensa Anamua Otabil, the founder and General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church who is also the Chancellor of Ghana’s premier private University, Central University College, an affiliate of Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, USA, made the remarks during a presentation at a 3 day annual conference organized by the Worcester Assembly of ICGC in Massachusetts, USA. The theme of the conference, which was officially opened on Tuesday August 29, 2006, was “ADVANCEMENT”. Among other national and international responsibilities, Rev Dr. Otabil, an accomplished all round Ghanaian Christian leader, educator, author and a consultant is also the chairman of the Ghana – Indian (Kofi Annan) center for excellence. By far, he is one of the eminent contemporary global statesmen and motivational speakers with a passion for the emancipation and empowerment of people of African decent, and renewal and transformation of the continent of Africa to become a global competitor instead of virtually relying on grants and loans.

In his message entitled “Going beyond your limitations, in pursuit of excellence”, he emphasized that excellence is the only antidote to negative limitations. He made reference to a scripture reading in the book of Proverbs and Daniel and noted that for anybody to excel the person needs to go beyond the usual call of duty, climb higher, and reach beyond the mark. Rev. Dr. Otabil, outlined certain negative restrictions and boundaries, which have been accepted by society at the expense of development, progress and excellence. He identified some of them as gender limitations, racial and ethnic discriminations, academic and legal limitations. He indicated that in order to overcome these restrictions and boundaries there is the need for people to acquire knowledge through education because the spirit of excellence is seen in knowledge, understanding and a person’s ability to solve complex problems. He stated that through quality education, people are able to harness their God given potentials, develop their skills and talents and thereby prepare to meet opportunities that come their way.

The man of God therefore challenged participants of the conference to devote considerable amount of their time, energies and resources into their education in order to be able to breakthrough the circle of poverty and obscurity. He entreated participants to put value on themselves because once they are valuable, opportunities will pursue them regardless of where they live, and that they will become problem solvers who will be needed by society. He pointed out that excellence cannot be hidden because it always makes the possessor unique and marketable. He ended by declaring “ don’t become one of the crowd, stand out among the crowd because as for me, my stamp is the stamp of excellence”.

Reverend Charles Aye- Addo, the ICGC senior pastor, in charge of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island hosted the conference. In his open remarks, he urged participants and Christians in general to exercise the good virtues of patience and waiting on God at all times even in the face of seemingly difficult situations, because the timing of God is the best. He reiterated that waiting sometimes can be frustrating and may even create a sense of disappointment and failure due to long delays but affirmed that it is always worth waiting because delays are not denials. He stated that in the event of delays Christians ought to go down on their knees in prayer and God will answer them in his own time and season.

A cross section of distinguished invited guests, and important personalities attended the conference. Among them were Reverend Mrs. Joy Mensa Otabil, Pastor Kwabena Dautey Akuffo, the North America National Secretary and Massachusetts District Pastor of the Apostolic Church who is also an educator, church management consultant and author. Reverend Mrs. Gertrude Aye-Addo, Reverend Danny Kyei and Reverend Alex Afum, founder and General Overseer of Redemption Christian Center International Church.

Participants were drawn from ICGC membership from part of North America, comprising New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Also in attendance were Pastors, Educators, Business and Church Management Consultants. Leaders and members from other Christian denominations within Massachusetts and neighboring states in the US also attended.

The conference is scheduled to end on Friday, September 1 2006.