“By their fruits you shall know them.” Matthew 7:16In Ghana’s political culture, noise often substitutes for character, and accusation is frequently mistaken for truth. Yet Scripture insists on a different standard: leadership is judged not by propaganda or insults, but by fruit. It is by this biblical measure that the public life of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia deserves sober reflection.Few political figures in the Fourth Republic have endured sustained ridicule, belittlement, and character assassination, sometimes from within their own political family yet remained as restrained as Dr. Bawumia. The Bible reminds us that true character is refined, not revealed, in comfort:“The LORD trieth the hearts.” Proverbs 17:3Despite persistent provocation, he neither descended into bitterness nor retaliated with reckless rhetoric. Instead, he exhibited discipline and composure that echo the apostolic ethic:“Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it.”, 1 Corinthians 4:12Such restraint is not weakness. Scripture calls it fruit.The Christian tradition is explicit about what spiritual maturity looks like in public life:“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Galatians 5:22–23Measured against this standard, Dr. Bawumia’s conduct under intense pressure reveals long-suffering without bitterness, meekness without surrender of conviction, and temperance without moral compromise.Perhaps most troubling was the role played by some religious figures like prophets, pastors, and self-styled men of God, who publicly lied, condemned, and vilified Dr. Bawumia and his family. This conduct stands in direct contradiction to Scripture:“Thou shalt not bear false witness.” Exodus 20:16Christ Himself warned against religious authority weaponized for public destruction:“Woe unto you… hypocrites.” Matthew 23:15Yet even in the face of false prophecy and clerical excess, there was no counter-curse, no theatrical retaliation.“When he was reviled, he reviled not again.” 1 Peter 2:23That restraint speaks louder than sermons.Though constitutionally Vice President, Dr. Bawumia was often denied the respect his office deserved, sometimes even by his own contenders. Scripture anticipated this paradox:“A prophet is not without honour, save in his own house.” Matthew 13:57The Bible’s concern is not popularity but faithfulness:“It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2In an era where politics is divorced from morality, Dr. Bawumia’s public life suggests that governance can still be practiced as moral vocation.“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” Proverbs 29:2By their fruits, indeed, we have known him.
Venerable Dr Nathaniel Naate Atswele Agbo Nartey GLOBAL GOSPEL REFORMS INT, USA
