Mathew 8:22 Jesus said “follow me and let the dead bury their dead”. He was responding to a request from one of his followers who asked to be excused from his responsibilities to go bury his father. It seems that he was asking permission to go and make funeral arrangement for his deceased father.
One would suggest Christ should have allowed him to go prepare for the burial of his late father. However Christ told him to focus on his calling. Well, one would also think that, Christ did not show compassion to His disciple for the death of his father. That might be quite true. But certainly Christ would not forbid the man from making arrangements for his father’s funeral. Christ Himself went to visit the family of his friend Lazarus after Lazarus’ death so why would He prevent His disciple not to go and give his father a befitting burial.
This Bible quotation simply means God wants us to care for the needs of one another (Mathew 25: 35-46; 1Timothy 5:8) but not neglect our spiritual calling in the process.
However, a security man at the Ghana Tourists Board in Accra thinks otherwise. This man though I don’t know him told me “young man let the dead bury their dead.” His reason? Well he ponders it is high time individuals began to mind their own business than that of others.
This man was having a chat with two other men whom I believe were also security men. His reason is that many individuals in their gesture to offer a help to individuals end up being robbed or duped by unscrupulous persons. For me, he is certainly right. “Let the dead bury their dead.” If I had not agreed to offer a help to this young man, my phone wouldn’t have been stolen.
Although I hardly visit the campus (Ghana Institute of Journalism) I stepped out on Saturday April 9 to meet a friend at the school who needed my service urgently. Maxwell Suuk had implored me to pick up money from him and pay into the school account on his behalf the following Monday because he was scheduled to travel back to Tamale the following day, Sunday after lectures.
While on campus, I met my friend and colleague James Amoh Junior. Bobby as he is widely called was having a sip with his friends, maybe to release stress after spending hours in a lecture hall, I guess.
After having a good chat with them, I then started to make my way home at about 4:30pm. A driver of one of the taxi cabs that usually stationed at the entrance of the school waiting to shuttle students tooted the horn of his taxi signaling he is ready to go. But I ignored him and walked passed.
Because my residential area is not that far from the institute and coupled with the heavy traffic in Accra, I usually walk to and from campus. I was smiling alone along the Hail Selasie Street trying to recollect the conversation I had with Bobby.
Lo and behold I chanced on this young man standing by the entrance leading to the offices of Ghana Football Association (GFA), Accra. He asked that I assist him plug the leaves of a tree by the fence wall of the tourist board. Initially I declined but I later gave in to his plea. The tree is tall such that one cannot get to its leaves from the ground, unless you are as tall as Manute Bol, the NBA player.
The idea was that he should assist by lifting me so I could reach the leaves of the tree. After plugging few leaves the young man requested that we stop since he had gotten enough that could cater for whatever he wanted it for. He then thanked me for the gesture shown him. With a sigh, we all paved way hoping to meet another time again.
Immediately I began my journey once again a white salon car from nowhere drove towards parliament house and stopped for my short- term ‘friend’ to get in. As soon as he entered the car, they sped off. After some few minutes my heart leaped. Then I tapped my pocket.
My phone was nowhere to be found. I searched thoroughly in my pockets to be sure before I could suspect a foul play from that young man. In a sharp turn to the scene hoping to get my phone perhaps it might have dropped from my pocket in the process of plugging the leaves for my ‘guest’. To my dismay, the phone was not there. A Ghanaian Kumawood has a movie titled ‘MatrikiWo’ literary ‘I have deceived you’. This young man has deceived me in the pretext of needing my help to plug leaves of a tree maybe to treat a sick relative by swindling my phone within the blink of an eye.
As I was walking home that day feeling sad after being deceived and duped, a Toyota car drove by my side and stopped. There were two men and a lady in it. One of them enquired from me the direction to Osu Presbyterian Hall. In another way of showing how honest, peace-loving and religious I am as a Ghanaian, I suddenly remembered what the security man at the Ghana Tourists Board told me. “Young man, let the dead bury their dead.” Once bitten twice shy. I ignored them and walked away.
In our daily activities by way of offering help to strangers we fall prey to the pranks of confidence tricksters who have on several instances succeeded in duping residents under various guises.
The nation’s capital image is sinking as a result of nefarious activities. Individuals in a wake of safeguarding the capital’s image have to be wary of such unscrupulous individuals who want to gain wealth in a twinkle of an eye.
Greater Accra Regional police command recently advised the general public especially motorist, pedestrians and commuters to be wary of criminal activities and be security conscious. The statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Effia Tenge said “this caution is based on empirical analysis of street crime trends within the region where some miscreants deprive commuters of handy items and personal valuables such as mobile phones, purses, tablets, handbags and laptops at the least distraction or inattentiveness.”
In order not to fall victim again I have adopted the security man’s message as a guide. Thus letting the dead bury their dead. If I should offer a help again then I have to be extra vigilant to avoid falling into the hands of criminals.
The writer, Joshua Asaah, is a senior reporter with A1 Radio 101.1 Mhz in Bolgatanga. He is also a student of Ghana Institute of Journalism. His email address is joshsaah@yahoo.com.
