The third week of June 2023 was particularly busy for me. Somehow, a common thread/theme appears to have run through all the events/functions I attended.  These were stories of greed/avarice/selfishness and the lack of empathy/sympathy for fellow human beings by those who have more than enough!

Sermon

On her birthday recently, I accompanied “Manager” to her local Catholic church for an early morning Mass. The opening statement by Rev-Father was “Human beings are ready to kill fellow human beings just for property/power.”

His powerful message/preaching was based on Matthew 6, 19-21 which read:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be!”

Even though he gave a few local examples, his emphasis on greed took me back to former strongmen of DRC President/dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, and Emperor Bokassa of Central African Republic. Presiding over one of the least developed and poorest countries in the world for over thirty years, Mobutu built a 3km-runway capable of taking the Concorde aircraft in his hometown of Gbadolite, so he could fly out to France for shopping.

In spite of all the power/property they wielded as ruthless dictators, both died miserable deaths leaving behind a legacy their families will be ashamed of in perpetuity.

Christian Atsu

On TV News on Wednesday, 28th June 2023, the Country Director of a UK Charity “Arms Around the Child” opened a new “Christian Atsu Education Centre” at Senya-Breku, Central Region. Atsu had worked with ARMS AROUND A CHILD, since 2016 and made yearly trips to Ghana. The orphanage at Senya Breku, Central Region was a major project Atsu was working on at the time of his tragic death. With donations from his former clubs like Chelsea and Newcastle etc, the project was completed for the over sixty orphans.

It will be recalled that Atsu died in the 6^th February 2023 earthquake that hit Turkey where he was playing professional football.

Soon after his death, stories started emerging from many directions about Atsu’s philanthropic works not only in Ghana but elsewhere. Indeed, a young Nigerian eulogized Atsu for seeing him through school.

Atsu was certainly not the richest professional footballer in Ghana. In an industry where money is flaunted through owning mansions, private airplanes, yachts and other super-expensive material things, Atsu did not join the bandwagon of exhibitionists.

Like Sadio Mane in Senegal, Atsu invested in the hearts of humanity rather than in worldly possessions.  Like Sadio Mane did, and continues to do in his village, Atsu even in death continues to be a philanthropist.

Atsu never forgot his own roots and the depths of poverty he came from. He understood what crippling poverty was, and did not want to see children go through what he endured as a child, before football discovered his talent.

“Community-Social-Responsibility”

Usually, we hear of “Corporate Social Responsibility” when big organization which make huge profits make token donation to society. These may be the sinking of boreholes, or the building of classroom blocks in villages.

Atsu’s actions however demonstrate a more sacrificial/effective “Community Social Responsibility!” There are houses with many SUVs parked in them with terribly pot-hole riddled roads leading to them. It is evident that, those living on such street can easily come together to improve the street-roads but “No!”

Alexander the Great’s Lessons

In my article of 11 March 2019 titled “Racing towards Self destruction?” I stated as follows:

“Although he died at age 32 only, the Greek General, Alexander the Great left a legacy for humanity. Before he died, he asked his colleague Generals to do three things on his death.

Firstly, he wanted the best physicians in Macedonia to carry his coffin. Secondly, he wanted his hands outside the coffin with his palms open. Thirdly he wanted all the gold he had accumulated through conquest to be spread along the route to the cemetery. Asked why the unusual demand, he explained as follows:

Firstly, he wanted the best doctors to carry his coffin to show that, when death beckons, not even the best of doctors in the world can save anyone.

Secondly, his wish for his empty palms outside the casket was to remind the living that, we came with nothing, and will go with nothing.

Finally sprinkling the gold he had obtained in conquest along the cemetery route was to educate humanity that, all the world’s gold is useless in the face of death!

By his philanthropic action, Atsu has reinforced what Alexander the Great did and what Sadio Mane has done in his village in Senegal. Rich celebrities can learn from this. While corporate organisations may do “Corporate Social Responsibility,” rich individuals could impact society through “Community-Social-Responsibility.”

Let us learn not to keep our treasures not on earth where moths will eat them up or thieves will steal them, but in Heaven where our treasure heart will be!

May Atsu’s soul RIP!!

Leadership, LEAD! Fellow Ghanaians, WAKE UP!

Brig Gen Dan Frimpong (Rtd)

Former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association

Nairobi, Kenya

Council Chairman

Family Health University College

 Accra

dkfrimpong@yahoo.com