African Historical Educational Romance Books

Hi, If you need books or novels that depict African as well as historical romance, your best bet is looking for the following books. Namely:

1. Serwah-The Saga of an African Princess

2. The Lost Princess

3. Fate's Promise

All written and published by Rita Akoto Coker by Afram Publishers of Ghana, West Africa.

Serwah is in its third edition and with the other, two have been recently recommended by the Ghana Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service as supplementary readers for Ghana schools.

I believe that Africans need our own historical backgrounds in our readings. These books are easy to read for relaxation and pleasure. This will help the next generation, especially those in the diaspora to learn more about their backgrounds so as not to lose touch with their ancestors.
For more information, go to my my other blog site: 

http://quadruple-t.blogspot.com

Cheers!!

                   Historical African Educational Romance Books
http://success-mamarit.blogspot.com

If you need books or novels that depict African as well as historical romance,
your best bet is looking for the following books. Namely:

1. Serwah-The Saga of an African Princess

2. The Lost Princess

3. Fate's Promise

All written and published by Rita Akoto Coker by Afram Publishers of Ghana, West Africa.
Serwah is in its third edition and with the other, two have been recently recommended by the Ghana Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service as supplementary readers for Ghana schools.

I believe that Africans need our own historical backgrounds in our readings. These books are easy to read for relaxation and pleasure. This will help the next generation, especially those in the diaspora to learn more about their backgrounds so as not to lose touch with their ancestors.

For more information, find more information on my other blog site:

http://success-mamarit.blogspot.com

Cheers!

MORE INFORMATION ON MY RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS AT MY OTHER BLOG: http://quadruple-t.blogspot.com

VICTIMS OF CORPORATE ABUSE –THE NEWMONT GHANA STORIES FOR SIC CAMPAIGN 1. Mr. Bonabe Wale- 75 years old “Poverty and hunger is killing us!” This was the desperate cry of Bonabe Wale, a 75 year old man living at the Ntotroso Resettlement Camp of Newmont Ghana in the Brong Ahafo Region. Bonabe Wale had lived at Kwakyekrom for 40 years with his family of 11 before they were resettled. “We had plenty to eat because I had a big farm which my children and I cultivated. All we needed to buy was salt because we could trap small animals for meat from the farm as well. All was going well till one day we saw a bulldozer moving over our farm and destroyed every crop that we have toiled and struggled to keep for more than 30 years. We had heard Newmont wanted to resettle us and they had given us a lot of promises and we had agreed but what we never expected was the destruction of our farmlands before our resettlement. As it happened, Newmont did not move us to our new home after the destruction of our farm till almost one year after the fact. Madam, what did they expect us to eat in the meantime? For almost one year we had to scramble, to go and pick food from other people’s farms after we had worked for them in order to eat. As a result my children are now scattered. I don’t even know where all of them are, all because we have nothing to eat.” Newmont Ghana had promised to supplement their efforts at feeding with a bag of rice every month but this stopped after three months of moving to the new settlement. “We had no land to farm in the new settlement and for the past two years since we have been living here, we have to walk a long distance to go and work on someone else’s’ farm on condition that we give him 1/3 of our produce every time we harvested our crops. This leaves us with not enough food to feed the rest of my family and nothing to sell to help educate the rest of the children. My youngest daughter has dropped out of school because I have no money to send her. Newmont has failed us.” When I interviewed Akua Wale, the 13 year old youngest daughter of Mr. Wale, this is what she had to say: “I like to go to school and I got to Form One but I had to stop because my father could not give me the ¢1000 (1000 cedis equivalent of 10 cents) daily to buy food when I go. In the morning my mother will tell me there is no food to eat and yet they wanted me to go to school with no food in my stomach and no money to buy food. I used to feel headache and weak from walking all that way. I was very hungry so I decided not to go again.” 2. Madam Mercy Sarato 44 years old “I lived at Kwakyekrom also with my husband and six children before we were resettled. We had a big farm which had yams, plantains, corn, palm nuts and even cocoa. I would sell the cocoa when we harvest it and some of the food crops to take care of the family. The compensation Newmont gave us for destroying our farms did not go far because the only thing we could have done was lease some land for farming but we could not get land to do this. We did not have to buy anything at Kwakyekrom except salt but now over here where we cannot farm because there is no land to farm, we have to buy everything and yet we have no money. Even to get ¢1000 for each of the children to go to school is a big problem. They complain of hunger so they are all staying at home. The worst time for me is at night. I have to walk a long distance to go and be hired to work at any place they will hire me. My husband and I have to give the little food we get to the children and I have had to sleep hungry almost every day. Look at me, I was not as skinny like this but I am dying of hunger. At night I hear the stomachs of my children rumbling with hunger and many times I get up instinctively to want to go out to get them food from a neighbour but then I turn back knowing that my neighbour’s are suffering the same hunger. What hurts is that we cannot do anything about it. We have been living here for the past two years and see how we are suffering. What will happen in a year’s time? Probably we will all be dead by then. Initially Newmont was begging us to move and made many promises but now they do not care anymore.” 3. DAAVI AFI MUMULANU- 40Years old Daavi Mumulamu has eight children and lived with her family at Dormaa before they were moved to the Kenyase Resettlement Camp by Newmont Ghana. “We had cassava and plantain farm at Dormaa where I could cultivate more than an acre of the crop and process most of it for sale as ‘gari’. We were quite prosperous and my husband who is much older than I am felt secure that we will not worry about anything. Then Newmont came. They demarcated our land and warned us to stop farming. One day they came and uprooted all our crops whether they were ready for harvesting or not. They cut down our plantains telling us that if there was nothing to hold us at Dormaa, we will leave. We were afraid because we had heard that they had not fulfilled a lot of the promises they had made with other people but they begged us and promised that they will not go back on their promise. Apart from food what we needed most was water and they promised to give us everything. Then after we moved here, we discovered that there was no land to farm, my husband is old and where was I going to get food for the family? At first I used the money they gave to us for compensation to go and buy the cassava to process but we had no water. Newmont brought the water here alright but to our dismay they locked the pipes asking us to pay for the water. Go round and you will see that the pipes are locked. Others are not locked because people are complaining that the water from these taps is not good. It makes people sick so no one is going to collect water from there. So we have to pay for water and after taking the cassava to another town for processing, I don’t gain much because of the costs involved so now I have abandoned the cassava business and I am into palm oil processing for which I don’t have to travel far and do not need water for but this is not as lucrative so our income is low. As for feeding, it’s not like before. We can no longer farm so our older children have left home to go and find something to do. The promise of Newmont that they will give our children jobs has not materialised. Even if you walk into someone’s farm for a simple ‘nkotomire’ leaves, you will be arrested. We have been here for only two years now but the future looks bleak. For now it’s a matter of “Wo didi kakra a, didi preko” (when you get food to eat, eat and enjoy because you don’t know when you will get your next meal). We use to raise chickens in our former place. Newmont promised to relocate our fowls but we are yet to see them after living here for two years. We don’t even have a single feather to call our own. She said they had tried to mobilise themselves to petition Newmont concerning the hardships but “we have discovered that those who do not join us receive fowls and grasscutters for their support of Newmont. So we are being victimized for fighting for our rights. Our house is leaking now but they say we should repair it ourselves and yet we have no money to do it. We are tired of pursuing Newmont now.” 4. Osei-Agyemang -30 years Old “For us the youth in this community, there is no hope for us”. The jobs Newmont promised us have not come. We have no work and if you do not work how can you eat?” Osei was working on a cocoa farm at Soobegya till the farm was destroyed by Newmont machines. He has a Junior Secondary School certificate which cannot support him in any gainful employment. “Here we have no jobs. I could eat from the farm but now it is impossible to have even one meal a day”. Newmont came one day, packed our things into a car and set fire to our homes burning them to the ground because we resisted and demanded guarantees for jobs. Now I do odd jobs here for people in order to eat. The day I don’t get anything to do, I sleep on an empty stomach. Even the water I can use to fill my stomach. I now have to buy it but if I don’t have money to eat where is the money for water? I thank God I have no wife or children else I don’t know how I would have been able to feed them. As for now, any hope of getting married is lost because no woman will marry a poor man like me who doesn’t have a pesewa to his name.” Osei spoke about the health hazards they were encountering as well. “During the dry season, there is so much dust around here that many of us started coughing. Five of us got together to fight against this and warned Newmont that we will not allow their cars into the camp. It was after this warning that they would come and water our streets but we are paying dearly for it even though they have stopped the watering. Those who did not support our action are being given rice where as we have been left out. This is a clear case of discrimination. As I sit here now, at 11 am, I have not lighted my fire in my house to cook because I have no food to cook. You have met me here because I am going round to see what odd job I can get in order to eat. Another thing is that they built us the houses but they didn’t provide us with lights. You have to find money to connect light to your house. The houses are cracking due to the mining blasts. We have asked them to repair them and they replied that they gave us six months guarantee and since it was over we have to maintain the houses ourselves. Yet they have not stopped the blasting. It goes on day and night. How are we going to manage in this place?” 5. Madam Salamah Salaam- 60 years old Madam Salaam lived with her husband and six children at Soobegya before they were relocated to the Kenyaase Resettlement Camp. “We had a farm with corn and cassava which we could harvest and had extra for sale. We were doing well till we were relocated. They moved us here; we saw a house but no land to farm, not even a small land to cultivate food to eat because Newmont has warned us not to farm here. We have protested but no one is listening to us. My older children go about to look for odd jobs in order for all of us to eat. Now we are 10 in the house because one of my children has moved here to join us with his family because he cannot find a job. Eating is very, very difficult for us. The corn I harvested to bring here is now finished.” Usman Salaam 20 years old “What my mother has said is true. I went to school up to primary Five. Newmont promised to give us labourer’s job but up till now, we have not seen anything. We have been here for one year now. I stopped school in order to stay home with my mother because my older siblings have left to go and look for work to feed us. Our father has left us to go back to our home town Bawku, in the Upper East. He left us because he had no extra money to take us along. We left Bawku because of poverty so now even if we go back what are we going to do?”

The zeal for history not to be forgotten in my native land is my main motive for some of my writings

Hi there, I don't know whether I have said this enough but I am unwilling for the days of my ancestors and the way they lived to be forgotten. Growing up, I heard stories upon stories that my great grandmother, Nana Amma Adutwumwaa, the late queen of of my village Antoa shared with me and others. After countless research, I am able to reconcile her stories with other actual events that occurred among the royals of Ashanti of days gone by in some of my novels.. I know that just coming straight out and narrating these stories would be just another history book which I didn't want to put out there. But to encourage others to know more about such great historical events, I used romance as the vehicle to share the life's and times of Ashanti royals and their day to day living of the days gone by. Another motivation was to encourage our young ones to develop the habit of reading. These days of the internet and smart phones are slowly crowding out this laudable grace. My first one was Serwah, the Saga of an African Princess followed by Boarding Time. Then came The Golden Staff, the Lost Princess and Fate's Promise. The latter two is going to be a trilogy with the third and final one soon to be published. So let's continue the habit of reading to enlarge our horizons. Cheers!

Fate's Promise-Sequel to the Lost Princess

I know it's been a looonggg time since I have come to this blog but as you all know, time does happen. Since the last time I was here, the sequel to the Lost Princess, Fate's Promise has been published making it five novels that I have managed to publish so far. Fate's Promise continues the saga of Prince Gyakari and Bakoma's odyssey of love. At the end of the Lost Princess, some unforeseen but eventful circumstances have led to the discovery of the lost Princess. Bakoma had been revealed as the lost princess with the title of Princess Adutwumwaa of Kubease, the powerful seat of her royal father. The lovers had been elated at this miracle. Here are some excerpts at their re-union after his mother the queen had given him permission to go and seek Bakoma. "When Gyakari walked into his sister's chambers, he saw them talking animatedly about the events of that day. They stopped as soon as he entered and at a sign from her brother, Princess Boatemaa left with the two maids. Bakoma stood facing him trembling. A thousand messages flashed through their eyes to one another in an instant. The most prominent one being that, that love that is meant to be, will surely find a way, no matter how long it took. This is the miracle Bakoma had been praying for. No matter how great the obstacles, no matter the distance, love will always conquer against all odds. Then as if on cue, they ran into each other's arms. Ecstacy! At last! "Bakoma, you are mine now. Mine forever!" He set her down, and with eyes full of love and tenderness, gently laid his lips on hers as they kissed, sealing their love and pledging their allegiance to one another. Forever! But will it be forever?!" This is their "Fate's Promise". So the question now is, can this love stand the test of distance as Princess Adutwumwaa leaves Gyakari and embarks on the journey to her royal father's kingdom or will their bond be broken as other protagonists, Princess Afrakoma,the fierce warrior princess and Prince Gyakari's first betrothed and another prince, Prince Darkwa of Mrem within the circles of Princess Adutwumwaa's powerful father, vie for the lovers hearts? You have to get your copy of "Fate's Promise" to find the answer. Since this is a trilogy, expect to see the third and final part of the love saga of Prince Gyakari and Princess Adutwumwaa's soon to be published. It is going to be explosive and titillate your senses. I would appreciate your comments. Get your copies at Amazon or Afram Publisher's website or the website of African Books Collective. Cheers!

THE LOST PRINCESS: Now, I am all excited about an adventure you readers and myself are about to embark on. My other novel that came out last year is called, The Lost Princess published by Afram Publishers based in Accra, Ghana , West Africa. Bakoma: Abandoned in a cave as a baby with obscure origins but was found by some women. Bakoma grows from a nobody in the palace of Nton, with the kind of beauty kings and princes would die for. She falls in love with the heir apparent to the throne, Prince Gyakari, a man she couldn't have. This was a taboo and yet she couldn't help herself. Prince Gyakari: Heir apparent to the Nton throne; tall, handsome, proven warrior and backed by an immense wealth, he is determined to have Bakoma as his wife even though tradition forbids him to marry a commoner. His inheritance is at stake and though his head warns him to desist from chasing Bakoma, his heart would not let him go. Will these two star crossed lovers ever overcome the obstacle of tradition to be together? At what cost? This historical romance will keep you captivated from the beginning to the end. The great excitement I have is that this is the first of a trilogy about these two. Are you willing to come on an adventure with me? Then go to Amazon.com and and every reputable bookshop in Accra, especially the Legon Bookshop to get your copy.Before I go what do you think, should tradition stand in the way of true love or no, whether in those days in the 17th century or today? I would love to receive your comments. Enjoy!

THE GOLDEN STAFF: Hello people, it's been a long time. I have been busy writing and ensuring that two of my novels get published; one in 2013 and another last year 2014. The first, The Golden Staff was published by Kwadwoan Publishers based in Accra, Ghana, West Africa. This is a children's adventure cum mystery. It is about a prominent family whose patriach was framed by his rival and his two children Korkor, Tiwaa and their friend Ade go to great lengths to exonerate him. "Maama, Maame, where are you?" Tiwaa cried out. No reply came to her. Looking into the pot sitting on the kitchen table, she quickly pinched a piece of meat from it and wiped her hand on the edge of her school uniform. The last time Tiwaa and her family had a peaceful and shielded serene life was after she happily swallowed the piece of meat she stole from the pot of stew. Her once lovely family now stands on the edge of a precipice that threatens to destroy them and the only way out, was to find the culprit who had disrupted their lives." Through a series of dangerous and mysterious escapades, the three teens are able to solve the mystery behind their father's disgrace. It is a novel that teaches a lesson of strength, determination, boldness and truth regardless of the dangerous consequences. The teens success testifies that right always wins in the end. The Golden Staff like all my novels is based in an African village. The African culture and its exotic mysteries are clearly depicted in this novel, the picture of which is on my Facebook page. I would like to hear your comments about this novel which can be purchased in any reputable bookshop in Ghana, especially, Legon Bookshop. Enjoy!

Review of Serwah-The Saga of an African Princess by Frances Ademola

SERWAH is Rita Akoto Coker’s first published novel. It is a simple love story set in Ashanti in the 18th Century. Serwah, the princess of Antoa and Prince Owusu of Bomah were betrothed when they were children, but fell madly in love when they finally met in their teens. True to the saying that “the path of true love never runs smooth” they had serious problems after their formal engagement, but love and wisdom won through, and they lived happily ever after. Rita Akoto Coker brings to the simple story many resources. Her considerable royal connection gives the novel an authentic voice. Knowing the courtesies, intrigues and traditions of a royal household, she guides her readers through the courts of Antoa and Bomah with confidence, inviting them to eavesdrop on royal meals. Her remarkable gift of character portrayal, combined with her narrative skill makes the story flow on with effortless ease, in good and fluent English. Added to these are her powers of observation and imagination. Owusu and Serwah are both strong-willed and though pining for each other, they do not speak to each other for a whole year, nor do they break their engagement. While Owusu allows himself to be seduced by the scheming Princess Pokuaa, and finds consolation with other women, Serwah resists the persistent overtures of Prince Appiah and finally sends him off with a flea in his ear for peddling rumours about Owusu. Serwah emerges the stronger of the two lovers. Rita Akoto describes her as “docile on the outside but she was as fierce in temperament as a mother tigress when angered….. Those who knew her could testify to this, she had learnt to balance compassion with wisdom, love with judgment and mercy with punishment”. The reconciliation of the lovers is presented with great tenderness and delicacy. Serwah makes the first move, a public and traditional one at the funeral of Owusu’s uncle, then later that evening we see the final and private reconciliation, and all Owusu could say in his mind over and over again is “This is home”. Other characters are also brought to life by Rita’s deft pen. Appiah and his scheming cousin Pokuaa are sufficiently devious and plausible, and other minor characters are creatures of flesh and blood, speaking in character and effectively communicating with the reader. There is cohesion in the communities presented to us of village life in 18th Century Ashanti. SERWAH would make a good film and should be captured on celluloid. There is a simple beauty and power in the writer’s unpretentious style. A touching love story from the past is just what is needed in these brittle days of politics and commerce, and we await a sequel to SERWAH. Rita Akoto Coker is a novelist with a great future and this first historical novel will give delight to many readers for a long time.

BAFUOR OSEI AKOTO, THE MOVER AND THE SHAKER

MY FATHER, THE MOVER AND THE SHAKER! This year 2012 and September 3rd to be precise, marks the 10th anniversary of my father's passing. He was an enigma! Everywhere he went; every comment he made; every comment made about him; even whenever he sneezed, he created ripples, good or bad. He was phenomenal and profound in his statements. He was wise beyond compare. He did not earn the title of “Asante cultural walking encyclopedia” for nothing. His memory and his mind was sharp till he died at the ripe old age of 98. You could not but be awed in his presence. He had a commanding presence that begged to be respected. He was one of the most handsome men among the Princes in the land. Above all, he hated injustice and was no hypocrite. This was my father Bafuor Osei-Akoto. His compassion and his sense of advocating for the poor, the deprived and the vulnerable led him to be chosen as the leader of the National Liberation Movement (NLM). Oh, this movement has been so misunderstood and ridiculed by his detractors and a war machine propaganda, second to only the one put in place by Hitler in his feeble attempts to annihilate the Jews, was put forth by the opposition in order to re-write the historical contributions he made to the independence of Ghana. But the truth can never be covered. In this world, every person or people who have ever refused to live under slavery and injustice have fought to regain their rightful place to live as free men under the sun. Look at all the countries of the world, the Mau Mau of Kenya, the African National Congress of South Africa. These two were at one point or the other, referred to as renegades and blood thirsty just as the NLM was referred to. The NLM and these two had some things in common: 1. They were known to have originated on tribal lines and this is no surprise since the meaning of nationalism is “... a concept that arose in the 19th c. among peoples who became aware of their national identity without having a national state; in these cases nationalism had first to be affirmed linguistically and culturally, then be given political embodiment.” Wikipedia. So those who referred to NLM as tribalistic should have seen that that is how many revolutions and independence anywhere started so if these 2 countries and others including Cuba have now accepted the fact that the movements helped to bring about liberation, then why can't Ghanaians accept NLM as same but continue to vilify the movement? 2. The three movements had to defend themselves against their opposers, be it the colonialists or otherwise. They did fight back only to defend themselves against those who thought they were rebels and in their effort to crush them, sent armed guards, soldiers and thugs against them. The authorities used every form of intimidation against these groups and whenever these people fought back, they were referred to in many derogatory terms and having the power over the media, the authority at the time would use negative propaganda to discredit the groups. 3. In South Africa and Ghana, many resistant groups were formed against the authorities. In Ghana the minority groups that opposed the CPP government were the Northern People's Party (NPP), Togoland Congress Party (GCP), the Aborigines Rights Protection Society and the Anlo Youth Organization. All these groups came together from the different regions of Ghana proving that people with the same aspirations, be it tribal, religion or otherwise always come together, so why was the NLM singled out and vilified? In South Africa this is how it was described, “During the eight years of negotiations, it became apparent that delegates of the four provinces were determined to forge a settlement that excluded Africans from meaningful political participation in the envisaged unified South Africa. This galvanized different African political formations, hitherto fragmented and each with a ‘provincial’ appeal, to forge a unified political movement that would challenge the exclusion of Black people. The African People’s Organisation, largely a Cape political formation, the Orange River Colony Vigilance Association and the Transvaal Vigilance Association were all formed during this period.” Wikipedia. In Kenya, it was the Kikuyu tribe that led the opposition. 4. In Ghana when the then government wanted to use the 'divide and rule' tactics in order to shatter the groups, they all came together to form the United Party (UP) under the National Chairmanship of Mr. Alex Hutton-Mills. I could go on and on to make comparisons but time will not permit me. The point is, it was not only the NLM that formed a resistance group against dictatorship. It has happened in many countries and recently in Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and now in Syria. The government of the day always feel the desire to crush any opposition to their authority and this always result in bloodshed. The NLM was vindicated when Nkrumah became a dictator after turning Ghana into a one party State, something my father had been warning Ghanaians about. He declared himself the sole president after my father Bafuor and 7 others were detained without trial under the Preventive Detention Act of 1959. Mandela suffered the same fate and so was Jomo Kenyatta. All these people paid their dues and were honoured but my father has been left out even in speeches that celebrate our independence. Their names have been etched on monuments in their respective countries. The question is why, why, why? Where were the Big Six when my father with the then Asantehene and other Chiefs debated the independence issue in October of 1943? Where was Busia and Nkrumah when my father, J B.Danquah and others were delegated to present the Joint Gold Coast Independence proposal to the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Oliver Littleton at the Castle, Osu in 1953? I have the pictures to prove it. Point is, the history books are there to verify these statements even though we are aware that some things have been changed to re-write history in order to vilify my father. But Pa has been vindicated by current events here in Ghana and abroad so why won't history in Ghana give honour to whom honour is due but continue to perpetuate the lies and the slander put in place by Nkrumah's propaganda machine? In this the 10th anniversary of his death, I just want the records to be set straight about this great man's selflessness and to honour his achievements. I would wish I had the space to continue with this but I believe that anyone who has the truth ingrained into their natures and hate injustice would seek to accept my father's contribution to this nation. Pa, you were an enigma, a philosopher, a wise counselor, a great linguist, a great husband and above all a great and gentle father. You will forever remain in our hearts because to live in the hearts of those you love is to live forever. Come what may, let it rain, let is shine, let others continue to hide their heads in the sand in order to hide your glory and achievements, but we, your children, will never ever forget you. Be rest assured that your grandchildren and great, great great...........grandchildren will learn of your greatness. You served your country well during World War II when you retired as a Captain, when you participated with delegation after delegation about our independence, when you lost all after being unlawfully detained by the then government to assuage their pride. You were even banned from entering Ashanti Region after your release in 1965 so you went to stay at Tamale till the 1966 coup. But through it all, you stood tall like a Colossus. You would have loved the RE:Akoto Memorial Lectures instituted by the Ghana Law School in your memory and the 7 others as well. Rest In Perfect Peace till we meet again to part no more. “Onipa beyee bi na wammeye ne nyinaa. Your achievements will be written in the sands of time. Peace!!! Rita Akoto Coker

Will Africa Implode -Part 3

As I write today, many events happening in Africa have overtaken what I wanted to write.
Today, August 22, 2011, rebels in Libya have almost taken over Tripoli, the last stronghold of Gadhafi and three of his sons have been captured, while a fourth is alleged to have been killed according to CNN.

What I don't understand is why any many, any man would die rather than relinquish their power over a country, ruling with an iron fist, including murder in order to stay in power. Can't Gadhafi see the proverbial writing on the wall? Does he want to lose all his sons, eight in number like Saddam Hussein did before he gives up his control over Libya?

No matter his bravado, he must be terribly afraid of perhaps what happened to Mubarak. Yes, Mubarak was seen in a cage when he was brought before an Egyptian court for trial against corruption and many things. So why didn't Gadhafi flee Libya when he had the opportunity? He thinks dying a martyr will enhance his status in death, should he fall when the rebels take over.

This is the tragedy of many African leaders and the dilemma of the African people. May God help us.

Now back to Zimbabwe:

Currently in Zimbabwe,(that is in 2009) the rate of inflation stood at 76,000,000,000% per month making it only the second country in the world to have had this kind of galloping rate. The first had been Hungary during World War II between 1945-1946 reports Alex Tabarrok in October 2009.
What will the rate be in a year’s time? Only God knows.
Mugabe has refused to go! Period! He has refused to relinquish power because just like many other African leaders, he thinks God gave him the intelligence to be the only one to rule his country! Since 1980 when he assumed power, the country’s economy and everything else has detoriated. The wealth of Zimbabwe has dissipated and their currency is only paper. It has turned to ashes as the report says. And the people of Zimbabwe? Helpless in the face of such monumental abuse of their rights and privileges that the United Nations Charter gives them. They have no right to life; no right to proper education; no right to exercise their authority to elect their own preferred leaders; no right to food as millions are starving in that country and the United Nations is impotent to do anything so has the African Union which has become a toothless bulldog digging its head in the sand while the greatest portion of its body hangs outside like the proverbial ostrich.

You know why, because I believe that no African head of State who does not have the best interests of their peoples at heart wants to expose their own corruption and their constant perpetuation of their reckless, brutal and selfish power. They are just emulating and following the proverbial case of “those who live in glass houses?” Now you get the picture. Many of them are afraid of what has happened to many dictators after they leave office so they decide to 'die' there.

So in 2009. after the government of Zimbabwe hit the historic mark of printing the one hundred trillion dollar bill, it gave up and is currently using the South African Rand and the United States dollar. When will this end?
I rest my case.

Next in line will be Rwanda.

Cheers!

Will Africa Implode?

Part II

Then we come down to the West of Africa. Ghana was the first black African nation to gain independence from British Colonial rule in March 6, 1957. The country has gone through several coup d’états like her powerful neighbor Nigeria. We have all heard of the civil war in Liberia which led to horrific consequences of genocide. Sierra Leone has also had its share of woes and a beautiful city like Freetown is a shadow of its past glory. How about Cote d’ Ivoire? Under the dictatorship of Boigny, the once Paris of Africa has also been reduced to its former shell.

I am just naming the bigger States and their current conditions. Out of all the countries I have named in West Africa, I can say that only Ghana has succeeded in handing over power peacefully a couple of times and is operating in a peaceful democratic atmosphere.
Togo would have dissolved into chaos had not the Africa Union and the United Nations stepped in to correct the perpetration of the late Eyadema’s dictatorship. At his death, he had the negative honor of being one of the longest dictatorships in Africa. His son was ‘selected’ to rule in his stead but thanks to the powers that be, this was resisted. Yes, Eyadema junior is in power today through a ‘rigged’ election as they say.

As at now in West Africa, Cameroon’s leader is fighting to become one of Africa’s dinosaurs as I call them; rulers who are refusing to allow others probably better than themselves to also use their intellect to help propel their countries out of poverty!
Omar Bongo of Gabon recently died and he had the singular honor of being the longest dictator in Africa if not the world! “Africa’s longest-entrenched autocrat” the CNN labeled him at his death in June 2009, this year. He ruled for 41 long years!
Listen to what it was reported of him and his leadership.

“Mr. Bongo, a disciple of the first generation of African leaders, came to power in 1967, when Lyndon B. Johnson was still president. He presided over an oil boom that fuelled an extravagant lifestyle for him and his family — dozens of luxurious properties in and around Paris, a $500 million presidential palace, fancy cars. But the tide of money did little to lift his country of 1.5 million people out of chronic poverty.” CNN

This my friend is the order of the day for many many African rulers. Sanni Abacha the late vicious dictator of Nigeria under whom thousands were assassinated or imprisoned was crowned “the Dictator of the month in July 2002” People database reported. He stole and amassed a record 3 billion dollars even surpassing the notorious master of the thieving leaders in Africa, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire.
Almost all these leaders ruled with the proverbial “iron hand’ crushing any opposition that stood in the way of their bloody rampage! Stealing the hard earned wealth that could have catapulted Africa into a might and great continent.

When we come to the East, Kenya suffered a tainted democratically elected leadership when riots and mayhem broke out after the election into power of Mwai Kibaki, the current leader. Before him had been Arap Moi and Jomo Kenyatta the first president. The latter’s death revealed that he and his family owned almost every good thing in Kenya at the time of his death. What else is new? Kenya had been under one party rule under Kenyatta and Moi until 1992 when riots forced Moi to allow multi-party activities.

Let’s not forget Uganda. Who can forget the likes of Iddi Amin and Milton Obote? In their wake is Yoveri Musevini who took over power in 1986. He is currently ruling with some semblance of democracy termed ‘stolen’ since all his activities have been termed “sly” by others in order to perpetuate his solid hold on the country. The northern part has been brutalized by rebels known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Karamajong and sent millions into exile while internally displaced citizens in Uganda number more than any other country in the world.

Now we come to Zimbabwe on the West Southern coast of Africa. We all know it as the former Rhodesia where the late Ian Smith ruled with impunity against the rightful owners of the land. We all supported Mugabe and his freedom fighters to lead the fight against apartheid in Rhodesia. Mugabe even lived in my country Ghana and married a Ghanaian wife Sally, may God rest her gentle soul. I was in primary school during the violence that clouded the skies of Rhodesia and I never ever imagined that that country would come out from under apartheid rule but God is a righteous judge and allowed it to happen. You can imagine the joy and euphoria that spread not only through out the whole of Africa but around the world as well. Little did anyone ever imagine that that joy and hope would turn into dust and ashes in our mouths.

I will end here and continue with the current status of Zimbabwe next time.
Cheers!

Tripletee: Will Africa Implode?

Tripletee: Will Africa Implode?

Prayer is the key!

Jesus started His life with prayer and ended it with prayer. This is the will of God for His children. Prayer is the soul's urgent cry to Abba Father to intervene or intercede in any of our lives when we need help.
God's promises in Jeremiah 33.3 and Isaiah 65.24 all encourage us to know that God will answer us when we call Him in time of trouble and "while they are yet speaking, I will hear." says the Lord.

We need to pray today, May 2, 2011 more than ever for the United States of America, the world and all its peoples because of the spirit of retaliation that may be unleashed against us and our people all over the world due to Osama bin Laden's death. Let us stand on God's promise in Joel 3.4 where He says that He will return every retaliation back to the sender.

Pray for the following:

Obama and his family
Missionaries around the world
Chruches and church leaders, especially in hostile environments
Our family members around the world, especially in the United States
Our children - especially in their schools because whenever the devil cannot attack parents, he lashes out againt vulnerable members of our families like our children and grandchildren

Let us be sober and vigilant from this moment forward as I Peter 5.8-9 encourages us to do.

Above all, let us take the shield of faith to make our declarations according to Revelation 12.11 that we overcome the devil and his satanic agents "by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony."

We are more than conquerors! Halleluia.

Stay safe and be blessed.

Peace!!!

Restoration Time - Part IV

ABIDING IN THE LORD-01/20/2011
(Rita A Coker)

What does it mean to ‘abide’ in something? Several meanings come to mind namely; to stay, to wait, to pause, to delay, to continue in a place, to have one’s abode, to dwell in a certain place, etc etc.
I believe the best definition for us in this discuss is “to continue in a place or to dwell in a certain place.”
This means to continually be in the presence of the Lord. If Christians are to walk by faith and not by sight, then we need to deliberately, no, we must deliberately choose to stay in the presence of the Lord for many, many reasons.

1. For protection - Psalm 91- and many such scriptures give us insight as to the necessity of abiding in the Lord our Saviour. (Read and discuss).

2. For strength to walk with the Lord in this dark and stormy world -John 15.1-5.

3. Deliverance from temptation and sin - What is temptation? James 1.13-16. Protection from sin - Galatians 5. 16-26 (read and discuss). But remember the goodness of God in I Corinthians 10.13-14.

Other reasons for abiding in the Lord

1. Our God is holy and in order for His love and protection to also abide with us we are commanded to be holy. I Peter 1. 15-16; Leviticus 11.44. What is holiness? (discuss).
Can we live like this? By His grace and our brokenness (humility) and yieldedness, we can.
2 Timothy 2.19 ;Matthew 24.12

2. Heaven -We want to be there; I want to be there, don’t you? Heaven is our goal but listen to these warnings. I Corinthians 10.12 (refer to verses before this conclusion.) I Corinthians 15.19; I John 3.3;
Note that the unrighteous cannot make heaven-I Corinthians 6. 9-11; Revelations 21.27; Rev.22.15. Not a murderer? See James 2.10-11; I John 3.15-16; Philippians 2.3-7.


How?
1. Discipline the desires of your heart, most especially the flesh.
I Corinthians 9.24-27- “Know ye not that they which run a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air; But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

2. Choose to do what is right; choose to obey God
I Corinthians 6.12; I Corinthians 10.23

3. Confess and repent, immediately after falling into sin; to Jesus Christ our Advocate, the only Mediator we have between us and God and not to any human being who is a fallen creature like ourselves.
I John 1.8-9; I John 2.1

Conclusion -
We overcome the world through our faith
I John 5.3.4;


I hope and pray that you find peace and rest in the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Peace!!! (Quotations are from King James Version.
Rita Akoto Coker

Restoration Time - Part III

INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

LEAD SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3.16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Ezekiel 18.4-9; Romans 2.13; James 1.22

God is righteous and all His children must walk in righteousness. I John 3.7-12

What is righteousness? From 2 Hebrew words, tsedeq and tsedaqah- rightness; justice; virtue; to give God and man their dues in that which is right. See Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible -12 Facts about God and His righteousness (page 1056)

It is the act of doing what is right in line with the word of God towards God and man. In this world, what is right is skewed; many call evil good and good evil. (list examples).
What they don’t know is that God curses those who do this ‘cos it is in direct opposition to His will. How can man call evil what God says is good and vice versa? It’s unthinkable but man will always strive to go about things in his own way. Isaiah 5.20.

God loves us and has placed boundaries around us for our own protection even the people of the world and our parents or as parents have put some kind of boundaries around our own children? Why? If we can do this why can’t God? (list examples of things God has pronounced bad for us and the consequences).
Isaiah 5.21-23.

It is our own fleshly desires which lead us into unrighteousness. Romans 86.11.14; Romans 8 the whole chapter with special emphasis on verses 4-17. It is our desires that make us selfish, greedy, envious, jealous, etc. and the word of God tells us that all who do such cannot inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6.9-12.
There are many passages in the word of God warning us of unrighteousness, too many for our little discussion so I’ll go ahead and in a small way help us to understand God’s righteousness.

Jesus becomes our righteousness as soon as we are born again. Romans 3.20-23. We receive this righteousness by faith and Romans 4 explains this very well telling us that Abraham believed God and God counted it as righteousness unto him; in the same way anyone who comes to believe in the Lord Jesus receives His righteousness by faith! This is very very important for us to understand.

Now after this, we move to Romans 12.1-2 where we’re taught on how to go about living this righteousness. We have no choice but to submit and yield ourselves to the Lord for His righteousness to work through us if we say we want to walk with Him Amos 3.3 asks a very poignant question this way “Can two walk together, except they agree?”. We have to renew our minds daily by reading the word of God so we can be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. When our minds are renewed, we then receive the mind of Christ. Philippians 2. This is where humility comes in because Jesus was humble and as we humble ourselves several things begin to happen:

1. We accept God’s verdict on what is right and what is wrong
2. We seek to please Him at all times;
3. We desire to do His will and only His will alone
4. We desire to walk with Him daily
5. We look forward daily to His return
6. We desire to live with Him eternally

And we are told in I John 3.3, Colossians 3 and other scriptures that those who desire such things must purge themselves of iniquity and set our desires on heaven.

We do this by walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5.16 commands us to “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” and verse 17 goes on to instruct us as to how the Spirit and the flesh are at war. So we have to understand that at anytime in our lives, it’s either the flesh which is ruling or the Spirit. We cannot have both and Romans 8.13 warns us that if we live in the flesh we shall die.

Ways of walking in the Spirit

1. Again read the word of God daily
2. Pray over what you have read and commit to obey what you have read
3. Make a daily commitment to see the Lord rule and win in your life by rejecting sin and unrighteousness
4. Put the devil to shame by ensuring that the following instruments of your life please the Lord.

I. Purge your thoughts and heart of evil by bringing all contrary thoughts under Jesus’ command always
2 Corinthians 10.5
II. Reading only materials which will bring glory to God and eschewing pornographic or materials written against God and those of the occult.
III. Committing to watching ONLY television programs which will keep your heart and thoughts pure.
Psalm 101.3.; Romans 13.14; (what you see, read or hear) Job 31.1; Matthew 5.28.
IV. Avoid defiling your thoughts and yourself by staying away from gossip; at times we gossip and then
Cover our tracks by stating that it’s for prayers. You can simply ask for prayers for someone without
embellishments which can lead to gossip. Galatians 6.1
V. Have godly friends
VI. Have an accountability sister or mentor who can counsel you. Psalm 1.1.
VIII. Stay away from unprofitable discussions e.g. news which often times have biases and if you don’t
take care, you can begin to say libellous things you have no foundation on. Psalm 1.1-3
IX. Let your speech edify your hearers at all times. Colossians 4.6; Ephesians 5.4;Ephesians 4.29; Ecclesiastes 10.12-13.
X. DO NOT LIE!!! Colossians 3.8-9; Revelations 21.27 & Rev.22.15 where liars are counted beside murders, whoremongers, sorcerers etc. God help us!!! Jesus warned us “Let your yes be yes and
your no be no.” Matthew 5.37. Ephesians 4.25
5. Keep your faith sharpened and your light burning at all times. Remember the Parable of the 5 Foolish virgins. Also see Ephesians 5.18-21

10 Blessings of righteousness: See Dake’s Bible page 1056.
21 Facts about the Righteous: Dake’s Bible page 1054

Conclusion: The scripture is full of instructions to walk in righteousness. If you have time and read all the scriptures given here and try to read all the chapters, you’ll receive direct commands on what to do and what not to. Jesus gave us examples in Matthew Chapters 5 & 6. Paul through the Holy Spirit expanded this throughout all his writings, including Peter as well. See Colossians 3. 12-17.
So the most important thing is to know what God has said is right and doing it through His power because we need to remember that without Jesus we cannot do anything! John 15.5.

We must also remember that reading the word cleanses us John 15.3; Ephesians 5.26. BUT if we sin, remember we have an Advocate and a High Priest who is always, always making intercession for us. Hebrews 7.24-25; Hebrews 9.15; Hebrews 12.24; I John 2.1-6.
You must believe this else the devil will make your belief a shipwreck.

May God help us all in Jesus name. Amen!!!

Restoration- Part II

Humility and Repentance

Every believer is exhorted to clothe herself in humility; it’s like a command - I Peter 5.5;
Why? Because of the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and what He said in Matthew 11.29. Although He was humble, yet He was strong. As believers, Jesus is our role model; we are supposed to walk in His steps. Philipians 2.3-8.

We are also expected to walk in humility because our God resists the proud- I Peter 5.5. Who can oppose God when He opposes you? God demands humility from each and everyone of us because that is the way to the kingdom. This is what Jesus told us in Matthew 18.1-4.

Reason: Man is proud and never admits his faults. That’s why many are not giving their lives to Christ but the one who accepts God’s verdict of being a sinner, is the humble one and God loves such a person because the opposite of this is pride which is the epitome of Satan.
How many accept God’s judgement in Romans 3.23? The main ingredient or the main channel to God is through repentance which is the result of humility. So the two go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other. A humble heart easily forgives another person whether they themselves are 1% wrong in any situation. Matthew 5.23-24. A humble heart takes the initiative to make peace because this person will remember the Word of God on forgiveness and OBEY her Master! In so doing, she repents of whatever happened before.
Repentance is 180 degree turn around from the direction one was going before. It takes humility to repent of any sin. Pride is the opposite of humility. It is the source of un-forgiveness so be careful ‘cos it’s destroying relationships. Humility will accept the hurts but will forgive not in its own power but in the strength of God.

Doug Britton puts it this way:
“Many people have the wrong idea about God, the Bible and humility, or being humble. They think being humble means grovelling in front of others or thinking we're no good and others are good.
God says when you are humble, you are free from pride and arrogance.
You don't need to defend yourself when you understand the Bible's picture of humility, for you know who you are in Christ. You are able to be a peacemaker without needing to fight for your rights. You are able to walk humbly in the power of God’s Holy Spirit, not your own personal power.
Godly humility is being comfortable with who you are in the Lord and therefore putting others first. The meaning of humility in the Bible is one of loving others, not being a wimp!”

Advantages of walking in humility and repentance:
1. God’s power and love rests on you - II Corinthians 12.9-10
2. Always a peacemaker and you know the reward of a peace maker -Matthew 5.5 & 9; Ephesians 4.29. You have kind and gracious words for everybody even when correcting them
3. It keeps a believer focused on making it to heaven - you search yourself daily, if not moment by moment using David’s cry in Psalm 139.23 -24
4. Gives you peace of mind because you can handle unfair treatment without being overcome with bitterness
Ephesians 4. 31-32

Conclusion: Bible-based humility isn't being unaware of your gifts or calling.
Although we should avoid self-pride, godly humility does not mean we should pretend we are unaware of the gifts God has given us. The key is to remember that they are from God. Ephesians 3:8 ; 2 Corinthians 12:11.
Bible-based humility does not mean never speaking directly.
When God says to be humble, he it lets us know we must examine our motives and attitudes. We also must examine how we take action. But there are times when we need to take strong actions. Here are two examples of taking strong actions while maintaining a humble spirit: Jesus was meek of spirit, yet he chased the moneychangers

Restoration Time

RESTORATION TIME

INTRODUCTION:

“come apart and rest awhile: Mark 6.31. This is what Jesus said whenever he felt His disciples needed time to renew, their strengths, their minds and receive fresh anointing for the work they were doing. It is a necessary activity for every believer who wants her lamp to continue burning until ’that day.’

Why? Because we do not want to be like the 5 foolish virgins Jesus told us about in Matthew 25.1-13.

What is Restoration?
I look at it in several ways:

1. It is a deliberate act of setting aside quality time to be with the Lord for self examination to check whether our walk with the Lord is in accordance with the perfect pattern of the Word of God. Psalm 139.23 & 24.

2. It is an act of submission. There can be no restoration without humility. Matthew 11.28-29; James 4.6-7. Remember the two men who went to pray? Luke 18.10-14.

3. It is the act of renewing our minds with the word of God. Romans 12.1-2. This is the greatest requirement for restoration; The word of God.

Why?

1. It is our mirror -James 1.22-24
2. It is our guide - Psalm 119.105
3. It cleanses us - Psalm 119.9, John 15.3
4. It gives us success in our walk with the Lord - Joshua 1.8
5. It gives us knowledge and the consequences of the lack there of-Hosea 4.6; 2 Timothy 3.16
6. It sets us free - play on words; Jesus is the Living Word -John 8.32 & 36.

Etc. etc.
So we have to stand on the Word of God, the Bible in order for us to be restored. We need restoration ‘cos of the busy activities of daily living; we become so busy that we even forget to pray or even read the Bible.

“When talking of restoration, it is important to rely on God’s Word rather than man’s word. Since this is something so very important to our soul’s salvation it is of utmost importance to make sure beyond any shadow of a doubt that the pattern that we use is the true one. The doctrines of men have changed countless times throughout history and will continue to change, but if we follow the Bible in its inspired form, we can rest assured that we are being restored to the pattern that God Himself created and has preserved in spite of countless attacks regarding its authenticity.”

We need restoration periods ‘cos as humans, desiring to live to please our God, we often do the opposite ‘cos of Romans 3.23 and yet God has said in Isaiah 43.21 “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” See I Peter 2.9.

Our restoration time therefore will take the following pattern:

1. The necessity and importance of standing on the Word of God during restoration time

2. Humility and repentance

3. Instruction in righteousness

4. Abiding in the Lord in order to avoid future mishaps or mistakes.

Winds of Change!! Power to the people!!!

First it was Tunisia, then Egypt and now who will be the next dictator to run for his dear life?

As I write now, there are rumours that Libya's leader Gaddafi has fled his country even though unsubstantiated, I will not be surprised if he has. How long did these dictators think their one man rule would continue? I say "More power to the people!"

When will African leaders learn that the position they hold is only temporary and not a life time career? When will they see the proverbial writing on the wall? How long do they think the people of Africa will continue to stand and watch their resources including oil, gold and other minerals end up in the bulging pockets of these greedy leaders?

Did you hear about what is happening in Uganda now? Just like Gbagbo of Cote D'IVoire,he is claiming victory after a sham election whose outcome had already been determined by these despots and their cronies. Gbagbo has refused to leave the position he is holding onto as if it is his birth right despite the cry of 'foul' to the outcome of the recent elections. Musevini of Uganda has been there for ages despite major opposition to his rule. What are these leaders waiting for? Are they waiting for the blood of their own people to flow before they relinguish power from their evil grasping hands? How about Mugabe of Zimbabwe under whose rule inflation has outpaced every document in the financial world?

If these leaders would learn from history what their predecessors like Mobutu of the then Zaire and Nkrumah of Ghana learnt the hard way that dictatorships are only temporary and that no matter how long it takes, when the people rise, dictatorships topple!

People, Africans, let us rise to this challenge and show our leaders that they stay in power only at our own convenience and that whenever we declare that we've had enough of their bumbling rule, they better sit up and listen!!!
Power to the People!!!

Long time!!!

It has been a hectic year for me. I have written two books (manuscripts) but where to publish them has become a dilemma for me. This time, the books are not for children but one is about the way christian women are to live within the confines of the church in order not to encourage infidelity among married couples. The other one is about my work with ActionAid and my frustrations about African leaders.

I worry about how Africans would survive this economic meltdown going on in the world when our leaders are busy consolidating their positions and their little dictatorships instead of helping the people who gave them the mandate to lead.

As it is now, it's like every country is struggling to survive, perhaps except China! So if we Africans are counting on foreign aid to see us through, I think it will only be in our dreams. Some people say "God help those who help themselves" (even though it's not categorically written in the Bible) the idea behind it is very sound. How can someone who does not care very much for your plight (except if they have something to gain from you like oil and raw materials to feed their own industries)if you do not really care about putting structures in place yourself to lift your country out of the doldrums?

Africa is being left behind; those who are succeeding in their economies continue to plunder our rich resources for only peanuts. Others are using the "carrot and stick" approach whereby if you do not tow their line of thinking, the carrot is brutally snatched from your mouth!

Who is going to help Africa? It has to be we the people ourselves. I wonder if there are anymore ideas out there to help Africa. If you do, let me hear from you.

Cheers!