AFRICA! RISE FOR PEACE

Africa, oh, Africa

Your great grandchildren call on you today
Your ear to us attention pay
Unto you our burdens lay
Under your peaceful shelter we stay

Our mother you cleverly christened Gold Coast
Yes, the Coast of Gold
To perfectly describe her glory
You patiently cared for her
Developing that artistic curvaceous beauty
Black is beauty, you told her
Your handiwork it was
You adorned her with all precious minerals that there is to be found
Yes, a perfect name indeed it was

Even in your decades of servitude
In your humbling attitude
You maintained your pulchritude
This, I am certitude
And a perfect peace, you had in plenitude
Basking in absolute enjoyment
A state of tranquility, indeed it was
You filled her with several languages
What an outstanding multi-cultural diversity
Multiplicity, agreed
But all truly in unity

Mother Gold Coast
Though an illustrious son changed your name
You never waned in your fame
Oh! Your glory of royalty you have continued to enjoy
He called you Ghana

“Ghana, our beloved country, is free forever”
Indeed, deafening applause welcomed this declaration
The declaration of freedom that fateful night
“Our independence is meaningless”
He told us
“Unless it is linked up with the total liberation”
And emancipation
Total Liberation of Africa
Oh! How we love freedom

But, how can we be free?
How can we be free without peace?
“To be free [really] is not merely to cast off one’s chain”
Africa’s illustrious son again
Let peace rain
I say, let peace reign


It is in peace, we live
Not in pieces
When a country of peace turns into pieces
Who loses…?
When a country of riches turns into ashes,
Who misses…?

Let not Ghana’s peace spill
Let Ghana peace fill
As we swallow the tranquilizing pill

Children of Africa, we love peace
Children of Ghana, we love peace
THE END

By Joseph Appah
(A Professional Corporate & Social MC)

Joseph Appah Hosts QIF's 3rd Anniversary Open Forum

One of the auditoriums of the Accra International Trade Fair on Saturday, April 25, 2015 became the convergence point for some of GH's astute minds. It was the open forum organised by the Queens Impact Foundation, a non-governmental organisation on the theme, 'Improving Emotional Health of Women in Africa'.

Speaking at the programme, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, Dr Emmanuel Kojo Hopeson underscored the fact that all human beings are uniquely created. According to him, men and women are equal. "Men and women are equally created in Gods image and their difference is not in superiority or inferiority but in complementary responsibilities," he stated.

Dr Hopeson who is also a Minister of the Gospel, Counselling Psychologist and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Expert and Trainer shared his knowledge of the different behavioural traits of humans emphasising the need for one to know oneself. This according to him, helps the individual to make informed choices. 

Touching mainly on the mental health issue, Dr Hopeson explained it as the absence of mental illness, ability to cope, handle, manage and find balance amidst the pressures of life.

He finally advised that to have a good mental health, everybody must find a way of engaging in less stressful activities, engage in more exercises and avoid taking drugs or alcohol with the aim of reducing stress.

On her part, the Director of Health Advice Foundation, Dr Caroline Ladzekpo advised women to ensure good health at all times. 

Speaking on the topic, 'oestrogen and Women's emotion, menopause', the gynaecologist emphasised the importance of the oestrogen which according to her is what gives women all the characteristics that qualify them as women. This hormone begins functioning in girls from age thirteen. 

And as it begins, the girls feels shy in many situations and sometimes do not really understand what is happening to them. She therefore called on parents to be vigilant at this stage and help their daughters to come to terms with the changes in their bodies.

Dr Ladzekpo who is also the CEO of Plus Medical Centre advised women who experience pains during their menstrual period to avoid taking unprescribed drugs. According to her, the pain is a normal thing but women must consult gynaecologists when the pain is unbearable.

A representative of The Think Africa Forum, Ms Getty Sharon-Kumi also read a solidarity message on behalf of the 230 abducted girls in Nigeria. The powerful speech among other things called on all Africans and leaders to unite and think to find a lasting solution to Africa's problems. She also bemoaned why the African military could collaborate with external forces to search and kill Muamar Gaddafi as president but same collaboration could not be forged to find these girls who are in such atrocious captivity for over a year.

The Queenmother of Koteiman (under the Nii Kwei Olai stool of Asene), Naa Koteitso Afrasomanso I graced the event in her full regalia. She also took her turn at the podium and advised young ladies to be firm in their resolve to succeed. 

The Queenmother of Abola Piam We, Naa Dedei Amobiye II was also present. 

The programme was successfully and gracefully chaired by the President of Eckankar Ghana, Mrs Charlotte Asante. 

The programme was emceed by Joseph Appah.

Joseph Appah is a Professional Corporate & Social MC