The Three Powers: The Redemption of Tanaka

Three Powers: The Redemption of Tanaka by Rev. Dr Fred Deegbe is a complete biblical story of salvation set in Katali, an imaginary village in the Volta Region of Ghana.

The characters in this salvation story are all Ghanaians and exhibit Ghanaian idiosyncrasies that the reader easily associates and relates with.

We meet our kith and kin, and delve into the relationships that make and shape us.

We meet Tanaka, the main character, around whom the plot is woven, industrious and wealthy, a self-made man, who has risen from the doldrums of poverty — walking barefoot and in their patched thorn school uniforms with his siblings because they were poor — to the state of working “extremely hard to gain material wealth”.

True to form, he attributes his wealth and success to his hard work, making him self-conceited; but he is jovial and generous towards his sister and family, as well as his immediate associates and family in Katali.

Thus, the death of the sister’s husband sets him off on a journey from Canada to Katali for the funeral and to support his sister.

Tanaka, with all the veneer of a self-made man, most of whom have the steely mind of not parting with any resource to anyone except if the person duly works for it, is generous towards the sister’s family; additionally, he seems to be a carefree man, engaging comfortably with all the relations and groups of individuals attending or supporting at Dr Elorm Seshi’s funeral.

Asiwa, the wife of the deceased and Tanaka’s sister, is an independent, strong and God-fearing woman, who portrays the faithfulness of God, as we trust Him and pray about our relations who do not know the way of God.

We meet Teacher Moses, the pastor in the community who endeavours to provide counsel and support in all life’s challenges; then there is little John, the town crier, who disseminates information effortlessly, while Uncle Jartha, the father figure of the Clevi family, represents old beliefs and traditions that mostly hinder progress.

Plot

Tanaka, thus, arrives in Katali to help with the funeral of his brother-in-law, with the steady mind of a self-made man, and ends up a changed man, with an endearing and steadfast mind of Christ, during the incisive sermon of a preacher at the funeral of Dr Elorm Seshi that convicts him, leading to his redemption.

The interactions and engagements of the characters paint a picture of Ghanaian family relationships, extended odd social contracts and the beauty of knowing God and trusting him along life’s journey.

Rev. Fred Deegbe processes the mannerisms that make us all so Ghanaian.

The assumptions of pride attributed to all Ghanaians, self-made, but particularly those who have been outside and have been successful are assumed in the reading of some paragraphs before the reader realises that the author debunks that and casts his main character, Tanaka, in the mould of self-made, rich, but affable man.

There are also the assumptions of receiving gifts always from relations that arrive from abrokyire, as seen in Nana, the temporary driver, who after driving him on his first day thinks that Tanaka must give him money for lunch, forgetting that he had already agreed to a salary.

His belief to be given lunch money leads him to be angry at Tanaka, when the latter has no inclination at all about such assumptions and is just preoccupied and distracted by his activities of the day.

Biblical imagery

Rev. Dr Fred Deegbe’s The Three Powers: The Redemption of Tanaka is an interesting novel laden with biblical imagery, but without the biblical quotations, that some might find unsettling and discouraging. Indeed, those not conversant with God might find novels that are full of biblical quotes a put-off.

Thus, the style employed by the author engages the reader.

The Biblical description of the commissioning of the Prophet Ezekiel, who at his commissioning was made to eat the word of God, which symbolises how Christians should deeply engage with same, is rendered in Tanaka’s dream, where he has a conversation with his deceased brother-in-law, Elorm, who encourages the former to let the Bible be his “daily bread”, at which, Tanka retorts, “This is paper. Does anybody eat paper?”

Another beautiful imagery in the same section of the novel is the word of God as light in a dark world.

Groggy Tanaka, who has just woken from the confusing dream, notices a Bible on a small table by his bed, just like what had been given to him by Elorm, “Even in the darkness, the golden colour sparkled.”

Sound portrayal

Rev. Deegbe’s novel is a sound doctrinal portrayal of salvation in interesting storytelling.

It is written clearly and simply, making it appropriate for both adults and children.

Children must be gifted this novel to know at the inception that God gives the strength and power for all material wealth.

It is recommended as a good reading material for schools, teaching the values of community and support.

Step Publisher has once again shown their dexterity in the publication of this novel material.

Though it has no illustration, the cover design is enticing and will make readers eager to hold a copy in their hands.

The book is available in all leading bookshops in the country, but particularly at Challenge Bookshops nationwide.