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Monday, December 20, 2010

The oil cannot build Ghana, Wisdom will: Mensah Otabil

Pastor Mensah Otabil
The General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church
Pastor Mensah Otabil has said that though oil has been discovered in the country, it is insufficient to build the nation.

Therefore, he emphasised that wisdom from God is what Ghana needs to channell the oil resource for development.

Pastor Otabil was speaking at the Jubilee 1st Oil Thanksgiving Service at the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre.

It was on the theme: Through Wisdom A House is Built, and by understanding it is established,” a scripture quoted from Proverbs 23:3-6.

Pastor Mensah Otabil noted that though the oil find is in appreciable quantity, it is quite small to create any dramatic change in Ghana’s economic development.

“Oil is good,” he said, “ but it is not the answer to all [our problems]”.

Pastor Otabil, who is also the Chancellor of the Central University College, said since the oil resource cannot by itself provide the needed capital for development, it is incumbent upon the nation’s leaders to commit it to judicious use for the benefit of all the citizenry.

He explained that the revenue can either be invested - which requires that it is put to use for long-term sustained returns - or ingested - spending the revenue anyhow.

Pastor Otabil stated that in the mist of the numerous national demands, it is necessary to prioritise, especially in the education sector due to its crucial significance to development.

“If we continue to provide mediocre education, we will continue to produce mediocre citizens,” he said.

Mr Otabil also touched on the need for all Ghanaians to have a shift in their way of thinking, moving away the archaic way of doing things.

He chided political leaders for their infantile way of tackling issues of national concern with their focus mainly on scoring political points.

“Our politicians behave as if the most important constituency in life is whether the NDC or the NPP wins a debate,” he added.

The man of God also took a swipe at the media for its shallow analysis of developmental issues, insisting that these are not good enough for sustained economic development.

Pastor Otabil reminded the nation’s leaders that good interventions are not good enough but that the choices they make on behalf of the nation is what will make a difference.

“May the God who gave us the oil give us the wisdom to use it wisely,” he concluded.
Thanksgiving service


Myjoyonline Ghana News Photos |

The thanksgiving service was attended by hundreds of Ghanaians - religious leaders, Christian and youth groups, and key government officials - who, with dancing and waving of handkerchiefs, praised and thanked God for giving Ghana the oil resource.


Singers Kwaku Gyasi, Ohemaa Mercy, and the el Dunamis Minstrels were present to lead the praise.


It was organised by the Jubilee Partners – Anadarko, E.O Group Ghana Ltd, GNPC, Kosmos Energy, Sabre Oil and Gas and Tullow Oil.




Story by Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana

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