Welcome to the second and final season of ‘What’s Your Price?’. After that finale in the first season, it’s pretty clear we’re in for some major heat if Roger stays true to his words. Let’s see how it all goes down, starting…
… now!
“People of God, it’s really sad! It really is. When it comes to the ordinary citizen: the ‘Kofi brokeman’ seller on the street, the young man trying to get a job… when it comes to them, all they have to tell us is that we should tighten our belts. Yet, call upon them to reduce government expenditure, and all you hear is crickets. They won’t listen!”
Another Sunday in Reverence Ministries, another day for Rev. David to call out the wrongdoings of government. People were already quite agitated, as that week had seen a substantial increase in many important items, from fuel to the most basic of provisions.
Thanks to new taxes that had been assented to.
A week had gone by since the rejection of the bribe, and David couldn’t have been gladder that he eschewed his previous disposition. As he stood before the people, doing what he was supposed to do, a sense of satisfaction lay nestled in his bosom. Thank God he had been scared out of taking that money! It never would have bought him the peace of mind and conscience he had at that moment to obey the leadings of his Master.
“And I’m not even talking about Ghana alone. Across this continent, the value is the same!” he continued, walking across the pulpit. “Look at one president who has put in a presidential ship in the national budget! Another one has put in cars for the ‘first family’, and not just any cars too oo. Brand new Porsche cars.”
While members of the congregation gasped at this revelation, Sika sat there, shaking her head. She had discovered that while doing some work one evening, and showed it to her husband. They were both utterly reviled at the discovery, especially considering how many civil servants in that nation had not received remuneration for an entire year.
“Meanwhile, you’ll look into it and you’ll realize that nurses have not been paid, national service personnel have not been paid, the disaster relief has received only about twenty percent of what it’s supposed to receive… I mean, why? And it’s not like it’s just hearsay, we all know someone going through these things. Sika is here, one of her nieces who is doing national service in some corner bi in the Western Region, she’s not been paid for the past six months. Every time we speak to her, we ask ‘have you been paid?’ and she just goes ‘hmmm’. Honestly, why do this to the people you told you would help? See how young people are running off to other countries to start all over again! Young men and women who should be happily working to build their nation are now moving to the UK, the USA, Canada… just to try and make something out of their lives!”
The congregation was quite worked up, with many yelling in agreement with their pastor.
Shaking his head, he turned to face the cameras. “Look, dear African politicians, listen to me,” he started slowly, “when you needed power, it was us you turned to. Came into our houses, ate with us, told us you need that power to make our lives much better. We saw those shows of humility and we believed you. Lined up on election day to vote for you. Rejoiced when you gained the power you wanted, believing you would do as you say. Now that you have power, you’ve tossed us to the side. We were just pawns you used to gain what you really wanted; you never cared about us to begin with.
“But remember this! That position of authority you hold right now, it was given to you by God. That authority was given to you to rule over His people with wisdom and love. To do right by them. And to use that to enrich yourselves at the detriment of the very people you pleaded to vote for you… judgment is stored up for you if you don’t repent.”
Murmurs of agreement echoed among the congregation.
“REPEEEEEENNNTTTT!” David yelled. Going silent after that, he looked dead into the camera before him. “Repent,” he repeated in a quieter tone.
A few moments of silence followed.
“You have walked in deception and pride long enough, sayeth the Lord. My people continually cry out to Me in the distress of their hearts, for you have cast their needs aside and have focused on your selfish interests, taking what was meant for them and sharing it among yourselves. Know this: I am the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in great mercy. If you repent and turn from your wicked ways, I the Lord, will show you mercy and restore you to your former glory. Remain in your wickedness, and for every life that has been lost as a result, I will hold you accountable and demand their blood from you. Let he who has ears hear what the Lord is saying.”
A most solemn mood enveloping the auditorium, the congregation watched as their pastor went into what appeared to be a trance, speaking under inspiration. Nobody took it for granted when that happened; there was a message to be heard.
And there it was: a warning to every politician in power using the national coffers for their own benefit.
Seemingly snapping out of his moment of heavenly inspiration, David murmured, “Let’s get back to the sermon, shall we?”
The congregation clapped as he moved back to the pulpit where his notes were.
“I hope that applause is for the Lord and not me, and if it is, you can do it better!”
***
…and for every life that has been lost as a result, I will hold you accountable and demand their blood from you. Let he who has ears hear what the Lord is saying…
Sneering at the video, Roger hit the pause button and tossed the phone aside. “Stupid man!” he spat. “Thinks he can trash talk me and get away with it, doing those sanctimonious speeches in his church. Rubbish! And he’s talking like he’s God. Ah ah ah! This man paaa…”
A week had passed since that painful rejection, and he was still smarting over it. Nothing infuriated him more than the fact the man didn’t even have the courtesy to step outside and tell him to his face. What a sniveling coward!
“He should be there and continue to do those his nonsense things. I’m coming for him paaa,” Roger continued to himself, briefly glancing at the clock. “Hmph! He thinks he’s some hot shot. By the time I’m done with him, he’ll wish he never started his own church to begin with. Ofui!”
Glancing at the clock again after a few moments, he looked at his phone and shook his head. “Where at all are these boys?”
The phone buzzed, as if on cue. The name ‘Lallo’ flashed across the screen.
He answered. “Hello?”
“Yessar, boss. We dey outside.”
“Good.”
He rose up and stepped out, walking to the gate and opening it and stepping outside.
Before him stood a number of young men, ardent supporters of his party, dressed in casual clothes. They all looked like they were in their early twenties, and like they had no stable job to give them income.
Roger came to stand at the center of the gathering. His eyes darted around as he reached into the pocket of his dark blue jellabiya and pulled out crisp 100 Ghana cedi notes to be given to each of these followers. The atmosphere crackled with the anticipation of a nefarious plan about to unfold.
“Now listen! You know the deal already. I’ve had enough of that irritating pastor and his self-righteous sermons,” Roger hissed, his voice carrying much acrimony. “Every day, he’s making noise about our government being a den of corruption and indifference to the suffering of Ghanaians. Such foolishness!”
The boys vehemently agreed with him, instantly raining all manner of invectives on David.
“The way that man dey bore me, eh!”
“Boss, you’re not alone ooo! I can’t stand him!”
“So-so noise nkoaa! Fake pastor!”
“He doesn’t know anything! Azaa pastor!”
Roger raised up a hand, silencing the young men. “Your enthusiasm is admirable. I like that. Means you all know what to do,” he commented, nodding. He then distributed the money with the sternest of looks, expecting unquestioning loyalty in return. The boys eagerly accepted the cash, their eyes gleaming with delight.
“Bossu, you be the guy!”
“Big man, you know the thing!”
“Chairman, God go bless you saaa!”
Roger curtly nodded. “So your task is simple,” he ordered, his lips suddenly curling into a sinister smile. “Teach that pastor a lesson he won’t forget. Make sure he understands the consequences of going against us. We won’t have him tarnishing our government’s reputation any further.”
The group nodded in unison, their allegiance solidified by the exchange of money. With their instructions clear, they dispersed into the darkness as they set off to carry out Roger’s sinister bidding.
Roger watched as they scurried off, the evilest of smiles on his face.
“Just as I promised, David. Just as I promised. If you don’t want the easy way, I’ll gladly go the hard way. And there’s only going to be one winner here.”
Uh-oh. What’s this man up to? Whatever it is, it’s gonna be ugly…
