La stood still: Of spirituality, heritage and fairness

Tuesday, 18th June 2024 will go down in history as a day La stood still like the sun stood still in biblical terms when Joshua prayed asking God to halt the sun’s movement to give his forces more time to fight by daylight. In addition to Joshua’s request, God brought a storm of hail and fire on the enemy helping the Israelites to victory.

By far, the “Hands off our hotels demo” wadding the government’s hand off some prestigious hotels in Ghana particularly the Labadi Beach Hotel and the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel was a huge success. In primal knowledge, the prayer of the La Wulomo, Numo Yemo Obroni VII can be synonymous to Joshua’s prayer.

The sea is blue, the street was cladded red a representation of the apparel of the La Wulomo. A combination of red and blue in equal proportion gives violet which is usually associated with dynamism and awareness.

From a spiritual perspective, violet is considered the highest vibration in the perceptible spectrum. Also, violet represents the future, imagination, and dream symptomatic of the pronouncement of the La Wulomo in his prayers. A future where no government dare takes the lands of the GaDangbe people in a disparaging manner as happened in the past, particularly under the Nana Akufo Addo regime.

The La Wulomo poured libation in prayers for the demonstrators and the demonstration for the needs of the people to be met. The prayer was climaxed with extreme anger by the Wulomo pleading the gods to act speedily to the cry of the people who have been trampled upon repeated by the leadership of the country.

The anger of the Wulomo was expressed in the breaking of the gin bottle after emptying its content by pouring it down in the prayer. Severe curses were pronounced by the invocation of the spirits. What remedial steps are to be taken? It is obvious.

In a confirmation with the Korle Wulomo, Numo Ayitey Cobblah, he explained that the breaking of the bottle is not a good omen for the government and that if the wrong persists, extreme consequences of the gods and forefathers will be inflicted on persons who are involved in the sale of the hotels.

The matter of compensation and right of usage of the land, if its initial purpose is terminated is not settled.

The matter of land grabbing in Accra is an eye soar. The practice is haphazard, indiscriminate stealing, selling, and spoiling to the detriment of the indigenes.

This partly accounts for the reason the GaDangbe people poured out in their numbers to the demonstration. One remarked “I cannot stand the questions and blames of the next GaDangbe generation if they ask why we stood aloof for all our lands to be taken. I have to be on the street now to demonstrate for a clear conscience.”

Truth be told, La has given so much land to the development of Ghana yet the story of the indigenes is one wallowing in urban poverty. The misgivings of the government in redeveloping the Ghana Trade Fair Co., La General Hospital, and now the two hotels are but a few of the myriad of challenges confronting the La people and by extension the GaDangbe people.

Legal steps have been proffered that, legislation be passed to deter government officials from buying state properties while in office. The agitation that one government cabinet member is behind the purchase of the hotels gives credence to suspicions of unfairness expressed by many.

Some described it as a state capture by unfair which is known in business terms as inside trading does not augur well for a lawful and equitable society.

There are ragging questions that require answers;

1. Are there ‘just men’ in the clergy?

2. Have they lost their voices in open prayers and to openly admonish unjust men robbing the state?

3. Have they refused to speak because they are compromised?

4. Are they aware of the wrath of God if they do not live by their call?

5. Have they politically become biased?