...Sounds on da ground and seens on the see-ins

After seeing my favorite Black Stars agonisingly hit the goal post three times in the opening game of CAN 2008 and remain deadlocked with Guinea, I began wondering if this victory was to be. We finally scored and then the Syli Nationale replied almost immediately. Just when I was about to give up, Sulley Muntari produced a moment of magic two minutes to time and scored the winner. Ghana's biggest newspaper, the Daily Graphic, said sometimes one is tempted to believe that God is a Ghanaian. Apparently, God was on our side, and Esther Smith would agree with her song 'Yesu wo m'afa'. No matter how many heartbreaking missed chances we suffered, we would win in the end.

'Yesu wo m'afa' is a gospel song in which the singer talks about Jesus being on her side. Because Jesus is on her side, she doesn't fear what the Devil or any of her enemies would do. Gospel music in Ghana is emotional, it's religious, it has the kind of lyrics that only Christians would understand. The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. Esther Smith is one of the most celebrated Ghanaian gospel musicians and she knows how to write a hit song. 'Yesu wo m'afa' is on her third album, Kura wo gyedie mu. Esther is also the songstress who gave us 'Nipa', 'Adze kor', 'Agyidifo ataban', 'Gye no di', 'Onyame Boafo', 'Onyame ben ni', etc.

Was it fitting that Ghana would play its opening game on a Sunday? In this highly religious nation, Sunday is a cherished day. We wear our best clothes on Sunday, we eat our best and most delicate delicacies on Sunday (omo tuo, tuo zaafi, fufu, etc), we visit and get visited, among other things. You could imagine the sights, sounds and scenes in Ghana's churches on the day of the game. The prayers were for the Black Stars, the praises were sang for the Black Stars, and the worship was thinking of the Black Stars. Ghanaians cried out to God in jerseys, official Black Stars attires, and in the colours of the red, gold and green. Ghanaians wanted God to be on their side, it was as if they believed that they were outdoing their Guinean counterparts who am sure also sought God's favour.

The scenes were beautiful. Church congregations were clad in jerseys, a marked departure from church fashion in Ghana. I am sure Esther Smith's song was sang in a few churches as well. God is my side; God is on our side; God, come to our side. A writer in one of Ghana's dailies wondered aloud who God listens to when we all pray for the same thing. Is it the one who shouted louder during praises? The one who spoke in tongues during worship? The one who showed the most emotion when praying? The one who has sinned less? The one who is born again? The one surrounded by more people asking for the same thing? Whose prayer does God answer?

An age old adage says that God helps those who help themselves. It was clear from the game that Ghana was the more business-like and deserving of a win. They had the spiritual support but like we all know, Jesus wasn't the one to come to the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium to score the goals. After the Devil directed a couple of shots toward the goal posts, Jesus used his mighty hand to direct two shots in. Praise the Lord for answering our prayers. Praise the Black Stars for working hard and taking the right decisions to result in the goals. We were not to be stopped.

Ghanaians need to follow this Black Stars example. If a single game can drive us to change church fashion for a day, we need to embrace more important things like attitudinal change, discipline and patriotism. Churches should declare Ghana days, where we'll pray for God's mercy on oil, gold, cocoa and timber prices and ask God to touch the hearts of those who are embezzling our money. We should pray that God makes sure that our taxes and tithes are used in our best interest. We have seen the result of hardwork backed by support of onlooking citizens and loved ones. The same people who had fasted and prayed for the victory took to the streets upon affirmation of the victory to celebrate and praise the Most High God. Best belief that they will be crying out to Him each day the Black Stars play and would be hoping that Black Stars handle the jobs accordingly.

Full Yesu wo m'afa.
Photo by BBC News