Letting Peace In Ghana

We are gearing up for the next general elections and lots of internal political party elections are going on. The NPP has gone through all the stages and is yet to finally elect their flagbearer after the August 31 prune of the unpopular ones.

The NDC is also feverishly preparing to finalise the election of all its executive members at all levels.

I remain very optimistic that Ghana will continue to enjoy the peace that it has had over the years at least since the inception of the fourth republic. Did I say Ghana enjoyed peace? Hmm! But I read somewhere that peace is not only the absence of war oo. Hope you agree. 

Some of us were battered into fear during most of the elections. The animosity that ensued between the major political front runners and mainly their footsoldiers and, oh, their serial callers, the least said about them the better. The heat that was internally generated was so uncalled for. And till date I must confess that I don't understand why we continue to pride ourselves on being a beacon of hope for Africa as far as the practise of democracy is concerned. 

Election is a cardinal principle in the practise of democracy so if we continue to engage in such fierce struggle for power, then as a country, we leave much to be desired.

In all the discussions, I concur with Justice William Atuguba, the Supreme Court presiding judge in the 2012 elections dispute, who wondered why common elections to bring political persons into power could be so marred with such level of over-heightened strife.

But all in all, let's not lose sight of the fact that all that happens during the Election Day is not an event. It's actually a process. It begins from the conduct of some party people during the intra-party elections. The firing of insults and casting of innuendos are just one part. The character assassination strategies adopted by party people in order to score points for their choice is another.

In the run up to the general elections, opponents make use of these insults and name-calling. And not sounding like a prophet of doom, that is what we are about to witness in the 2016 general elections since we continue to hear them. 

Did Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketia aka General Mosquito, the unopposed General Secretary say during the campaign launch of their current national Chairman, that he will resign his post when "useless" members of executive are elected. 

The Chief Scribe obviously should have been bold to mention the names of those "useless" ones among them. But since he didn't have the balls to do that, I want to hazard a guess. Ei, as3m oo! Haha! Let's leave that for another day. But apparently, all discerning minds now know that, some useless souls are also contesting in the NDC executive race. Was that talk necessary at all?

Oh, the NPP. Don't most of us know the violent and almost bloody struggle that went on at the party headquarters among party faithfuls? Of course, we know. Are we to brace ourselves for a replica in the 2016 General elections? Tofiakwa! 

Some media outlets have started oo! You remember the media unwarranted peddling of falsehood about the health of our former president, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills about two years before the 2008 elections. You remember Baby Ansaba's public confession of using the pages of his newspaper, The Punch, to create such mendacity about the Prof.? Well, that was after the falsely accused sick Prof. won political power and sworn in in 2009. It was highly uncalled for to say the least, especially of a man who claims to have conscience. 

When the Republic Newspaper published the story with the headline, "Nana Addo Health Alert" in its Monday, October 7 edition, and carried by Ghanaweb.com, of course many well-meaning Ghanaians were worried. But for the timely press statement released by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's campaign office, most of us would have believed it hook, line and sinker. A clear mischief at play in the claims of the newspaper, especially when newsmen and women worth their salt, know that the NPP flagbearer hopeful celebrated his 70th birthday not too long ago but decided to say he is 75 years old and in the same story elevated his age and claimed he is an octogenarian, OMG!

Why are we doing this to ourselves? Is there nobody to remind anybody to "Do unto others what you want others to do unto you"? Since the vultures of Ghana are ready to see her go down because of their ulterior motives, I am also determined with my quill and parchment to do all I could to thwart their machinations by exposing them.

I believe in letting Ghana peace-fill and not letting it peace-spill.

#PeaceInGhana

Prayers in Ghana: A Perspective!!

My anger continues to rise as their prayers become intense. This statement without explication obviously labels me as a pagan and at worse a demon possessed being. 

Without sounding as a professional statistician, I can say with observation that there are many Ghanaians who profess to be Christians or at least try to become like one. It is an undeniable fact that most religions one way or the other communicate with their invisible supreme being through prayers. Prayer as a form of worship is part of almost all Christian denominations. However, the forms that they take vary from one denomination to the other. 

While matters of religious beliefs in general have become issues of sacred concerns and that the slightest critique of it brings about name calling, it is still imperative that we rise to the occasion and without mincing words call a spade a spade. 

In the many forms of prayers as mentioned earlier is one that the one praying is expected to shout beyond her or his vocal ability, speak in a language that no one understands and keep clapping to such a crescendo that can be heard by someone about a mile and half away. Hmm...! No problem yet. When such an occurrence is just behind ones bedroom, adjacent or just a stone throw away, it's then that it feels very sour. 

I have read some portions of the Holy Bible that makes it abundantly clear that the Christian God also listens to silent prayers. Several examples could be cited including when Nehemiah was in front of the King and how his short, silent prayer was heard and answered. Please, I am not a pastor oo. Jesus Christ, whose following makes one a Christian, once taught his followers in the Common Era first century how they should pray recorded in plain language at Matthew Chapter 6 verses 5 to 8, with a model prayer from verses 9 to 13 popularly titled as 'The Lord's Prayer'. This I believe is relevant for modern day followers.

This is how simple I understand prayers. I desire not to force people to think like I do, accept my opinions, choices and actions hook, line and sinker. I also as dictated by Ghana's 1992 Constitution, desire that my actions do not affect other people negatively. In the same vain, natural justice dictates that our inalienable rights must not infringe on others.

So I am not a pagan but I detest any action (religious, political and financial) of someone that will disturb me.

Education in Ghana!!

Education in Ghana has agreeably and without a doubt come very far. It is a known fact that the educational system in the country fifty years ago is not the same as what we have today. 

However as a people, I continue to wonder whether we have clearly identified what our needs are and so placing emphasis on them in our curricula to train more people who will ensure that these needs are met.

If there is any truth in the Akan proverb that, "agoro beso a efiri anopa" which renders thus, the success of the game is dependent on morning, then I must hasten to say that our poor educational system is at the primary level. 

The question is asked, 'what are the essential ingredients that make up a person qualified for success in the corporate world and national development agenda?'

I identify four of the numerous ingredients:

*Good Communication Skills (language)

*Good Analytical Skills (Reasoning)

*Innovation (Creativity)

*Confidence

How effectively are the above incorporated in our basic education?

Hmm... You will now agree with me how we really need to do more.

Ayekoo Ghana!!

The Black Stars surely will receive a rousing welcome and congratulating messages from Ghanaians and Africans at the end of the tournament. I am neither a soothsayer nor someone who looks into a crystal ball but I can say with all certainty that we are going for that most coveted trophy. Go Black Stars Go!!