There seem to be a lot of public uproar on the recent news of 'rot' in the banking
industry. The collapse of some giant indigenous banks has shaken the sector and
raised serious concerns. I write, not as an authority in the financial sector, rather as
an educated, enlightened young Ghanaian having his country at heart. These recent
developments has awakened some of us to develop an inclination towards the
financial systems and structures laid in the country. Personally, powerful light
thrown at Capital Bank's saga seem to have caught my attention the most. I have
keenly followed media engagement on the entire issue. My drive to write and come
to public from obscurity was born after perusing Chris Vincent’s write-up on the
ugly mismanagement of Capital Bank led by Pastor Mensa Otabil.

Reading Chris' argument made me to feel that at last, there are some level-headed
Ghanaians who resist to kowtow to religious indoctrination. It seems religious
leaders are overrated and undeservingly revered and in addition cannot be
subjected to scrutiny or criticism. So, I felt a bold man has stepped out to speak
against the perhaps, most influential religious leader in the country and on the
continent. I patiently followed his argument. They were sensible deductions but
baseless claims. However, I still gave him a thumbs-up for such bravado and
education. The thoughts that started running through my head was, could Pastor
Mensa Otabil - an epitome of wisdom, courage and character deign to misconduct
himself in such a manner? Especially, having heard him preach, saying "Do not
follow money, rather a calling, for money will bring you lots of sorrows, if it is
your main goal in life".

I, then, hoped to read a reply from the pastor responding to the issue to clear the
doubts of his wide listenership and readership. At last, he replied. His reply was
clearly aimed at attacking the issue, making clear the exact role he played at the
bank. He, in addition, stated to have submitted himself to the ongoing investigation
by the EOCO et al. Honestly, I was compelled to salute "His righteousness" for his
decorum and collectedness in light of the developments and criticisms. I was glad
because he responded sensibly and coherently without sentiments. Some financial
experts have rebuttalled his claim of holding a non-executive role as a board
chairman to be a baseless argument to absolve him of blame and responsibility.

As an intellectual who upholds logical thinking and inductive reasoning, I opt to
stand in the middle and form an unbiased perspective of the situation, making
constructive arguments to help the ordinary Ghanaian understand and have a true
picture of the situation.

It is, undoubtedly, true that a board chairman together with his board has the
responsibility of the directive role of the institution. Ergo, the need to interrogate
and investigate Pastor Otabil. However, analysis of the situation in relation to his
circumstance presents an otherwise perspective. This is a man who runs a
Church-ministry full time and only invested hugely in the bank to see it develop
into a multi-national corporation, especially, since he has been an advocate of
possibility thinking, inspiring millions of Africans to change their mindset and
adapt a can-do spirit. It is not unknown that pastor do not have expertise in finance.

Thus, the presumption that he was elected Board Chairman due to his exemplary
leadership, deep understanding of life, wise counsel and the courage to dare big
things and, probably his huge share in the company. To call him incompetent
serves no purpose because he has no technical know-how in that field and also the
fact that he is just a human and not beyond fallibility. The most important
consideration should be, what was his intentions? Did the man of God connive
with the CEO to deploy resources and misappropriate funds to serve their personal
interest? These questions and many more are tools to effectively probe the issue to
ascertain if he is culpable.

So, I come back to Chris Vincent. I was totally disappointed at Chris - a man
whom I considered courageous and intelligent reply Pastor Otabil's response, using
words such as ‘gibberish’ in reference to the scholar and ‘foolish’ for his followers.
It seems clear that Vincent's intentions is not to serve the interest of the Ghanaian
populace but rather to capitalize on this issue to attack Pastor Mensah Otabil's
personality with impunity.

I, herewith, urge Chris Vincent and his like-minded writers to be objective and do
away with emotionalism, sentimentalism and vulgarism. This will only portray
them as haters of the man of God. In the interim, investigations are underway and
in due time culpable fellows will be convicted and prosecuted. Hence, let us allow
due process to work.

Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
…………………………………….
Sheriff Asiedu Ampem Alhassan.
(BSc Chemistry, MSc Economics, IELTS tutor)
Tel: +233 (0) 556293085
+233 (0) 248535 (0) 248535844
E-mail: [email protected]

Source: peacefmonline.com