WAILING NEEDS

Commercial vehicles are weighed down by the trunks, boxes, mattresses, and other provisions of first year students in this SCHOOL NA FREE period. The implementation of the "Free SHS" policy has relieved parents of financial costs however burden of unemployment still lingers.


The "Free SHS" policy has shifted the exhortation by teachers from "learn because your parents are suffering to cater for you" to "learn because the government is suffering to cater for you". Vocational and technical students feel a spasm of fear in this era of unemployment.


Moreover, the assertion that the Ghanaian educational system has primed students to be marks oriented rather than sources of creativity and innovation is not debatable - ebi Ghana we dey.


Are the tertiary institutions filled with marks oriented students?


The map of unemployment in Ghana might point to little focus on extra-curricular activities at the SHS and JHS level as a causal factor of unemployment. Extra-curricular activities enable students to utilise the acquired knowledge as well as learn a new skill, hence, leading to creativity, team work, etc. Posterity, just understand and don't ask me for empirical evidence.


For example, an extracurricular such as music (orchestra, choir, brass band, etc) highlights the need for cooperation, creativity, courage, perseverance and patience in order to produce good music.

          The image above shows some instruments played by an orchestra group.

Extra-curricular activities have being underrated despite the need to create jobs for increasing unemployed graduates.

What kind of students will the Free SHS policy produce? Kindly choose whether students will be marks-oriented or students who will be innovative and creative.

Posterity, as North Korea is busily testing missiles, Ghana my beloved country is testing history with words thus Founder's Day and Founders Day. Honour and recognition have been altered with subtle dates. The tune, "... toils of the brave and the strength of their labour ..." by E.T Mensah explains the works of our forefathers for Ghana's political independence.

Christopher Columbus is celebrated for his adventurous sails which brought great transformation in the trade, politics, etc. Did he teleport himself to the place? The world understands that "nobody is an island", however, honour is given to whom its due.

Also, holidays affect productivity because holidays which fall on weekends are extended to working days.

"... I promise to hold in high esteem our heritage won for us, through the blood and toil of our fathers and I pledge myself in all things to uphold and defend the good of Ghana so help me God"- National Pledge.



Posterity, should Ghana manufacture holidays for every hero or heroine?

GHANAIAN INTELLIGENTSIA

Citizen's negligence in checking expiring dates of food is quite alarming. Posterity, even the reader does recall the last time he/she checked the expiry date of a product. Guilty conscience?  Posterity, don't judge me, I do accept that I am as guilty as him/her. Most times, until the media and the institution reveal an expired product, many a Ghanaian will eat without regret. The institutions cannot oversee every border since people aren't only unscrupulous but intelligent in importing unwholesome products.

I listened to a news story on renewable energy at a conference by 350-Ghana Reduce Carbon (GROC), which is a climate change movement. Let me educate you, renewable energy are forms of energy which do not depreciate in quantity despite the level of usage. In the near future, I am highly optimistic that Landlords will only accept tenants who can excrete more, due to the want of bio-gas. Its quiet ridiculous, right?!


The fecal matter can be used for bio-gas, hence advise your generation to patronize renewable energy for a clean and safe environment. 

A worker at a renewable company exhibited some renewable products at conference and she said,
"Saw dust plus '"kokonte"' can be used to produce this renewable energy", pointing to a charcoal-like object. "There are many things we fail to see as citizens." I wondered when this knowledge was gained. The issue of copyright and intellectual property will be for another day.

The premise that coal is a cheaper resource despite its adverse effect on environment is invalid. Flatulence pollutes the air likewise the use of coal, however coal disrupts the ecosystem and this must be addressed as soon as possible.

An elderly woman claimed that with the advent of social media, a lot of uncontrolled manhood abound in the society, therefore,the female needs to find a new way of not being a rape victim. When a female is raped, then human right laws are quoted without taking a breath. Ironically, the society does not amplify the woes of mature male rape victims. Males raped by females are looked through the spectacles of unbelief. Do you agree with me?  Literally, mature males cannot be raped except for minors.

I will inform you if I find a news story on that issue in any media.

I have not lost appetite after the Black Stars performance for the World Cup qualifiers. I do not know of how others feel about it.

Posterity, read on Bank of Ghana's increment in  minimum paid up capital for next week's discussion. The question I am looking at is "How does this affect ordinary Ghanaian?"

WHEN THE YOUTH ARE AT WORK.

Ghana is busily working some BODMAS on the economy and the sign of dismissal letters have raised eyebrows after the statement made by the Senior Minister. A "wun tumi" action literally translated as "you can't remove me" echoes throughout the minds of public workers and unemployed graduates seem not to see light at the end of the tunnel. "We shall overcome someday" has being the anthem of unemployed graduates. 

Bending down to make some selection of pants and boxer shorts at Kantamanto, a trader echoed these words in an attempt to win a customer, she said " the mother no buy pant give her, that be why she take her thing show Ghanaians ", this was an inference to an earlier conversation between a mother and a daughter who had thought about not buying her underpants. With the advent of sex tapes I wondered whether sex sells in the Ghanaian media. God save my homeland Ghana.

Chastity seems to be lost in the Ghanaian dictionary as each month features nude videos and pictures of young and energetic Ghanaians. Posterity, do you know the first Ghanaian whose sex tape was released? Perhaps we can make some analysis and understand the passion in these releases. Posterity some of these videos are not released by the victim, that is another subtle side of the issue. Society needs to work some algebraic expression on the sex life of the youth. Dignity is becoming a thing of the past.

Whilst army worm is exploiting our farmlands, the government is enticing graduates into agriculture; the hope for this generation. Let me finish this roasted corn which was rescued from the army worm invasion and continue my research on the number of graduates interested in the agriculture sector.

CLASH OF IDEOLOGIES.

      In a previous conversation, I told you about my decision to act like characters in action-packed movies due to a mob justice. The unnatural death of security personnel whilst on duty is becoming a customary rite and citizens must support in the fight against crime. When civilians pose a threat to the nation's security forces, then patriotism is lost to civil war and there is no collateral for the outcome.

     Amnesty International seems to ask us whether our conscience judges us right about the death penalty, that is inked in our books, despite the country's support for human rights. Death penalty  might have a long paper to explain its rationale before it was accepted. Amnesty International is seeking for a "natural death" for culprits without "artificial dying". So all die no be die, Ghana must make her children live without death penalty.

    Posterity, I will enquire about the statistics on death penalties, but deep down I must confess that it will probably not be available. Data in Ghana is go and come back affair. Is death penalty an excerpt of the Ghanaian culture?

    After the ban on some African countries by USA, the African Union (AU) lifted her voice but the deportation increases gradually. The euphoria of being granted a visa has not faded away, nothing deters the African from travelling outside Africa.

What has happened to UN's program"International Decade for people of African Descent"? A press conference on "International Decade for People of African Descent" might spark some fight for justice, recognition and developement. AU is chopping her house matter, leaving the Gulf Crisis to the other bodies. What needs to happen before the union speaks?

With incantations, some students peeped at the screen of the monitor to see their WASSCE results.
Does the National Science and Maths Quiz justify the WASSCE results in relation to Science and Mathematics? Through the lens of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the BLACK STAR will shine to show Africa which path to take.

Hail, Science and Technology.

Bleaching Morals

Kwame Nkrumah dissolved political parties which were formed on the basis of religion, ethnic or region, to create a system were people will seek political power due to their ideologies. However, national issues seems to be choked by these ideologies. At independence, we shouted Ghana our beloved country is free but our political woes have crippled the bright thoughts of Ghanaians.

The current state of Ghana politics seems to taint logical reasoning. National issues have become debating topics for these two debating clubs; thus NPP and NDC. When the taxpayers makes his or her payments, receipts have no symbol of neither NDC nor NPP. Ebi Ghana we dey, Posterity you for shine your eyes oooo or else you need to find a cure for our political disease. Well, we still continue to enjoy our democracy.

Will the fight against corruption be futile? When students have to pay for examination papers, where lies the intergrity in raising future leaders. Is that part of the nurturing idea? Accra residents seem not to be happy when the rains bless them, I propose a swimming course for them since our gutters are choked. Posterity, check the calendar because the government aims to make Accra the clean, despite our littering habit. For now I still pledge to the service of Ghana with all my strength and with all my heart, I .........

WEEP NOT, MOTHER GHANA

Tears stream down my face as I read news stories on mob action and suicide. The list is updated, as each month has a record of deaths; which is caused by mob action at different places in the country. The court is handling some mob action cases, nonetheless, victims console themselves with the arrest of culprits and await judgment. In recent times, incidents are contradicting the hospitality nature of the Ghanaian society.

The history of mob action cannot be overlooked since the literate or illiterate, rural area or urban area, have undeniable records of mob action. Many a time victims are identified as armed robbers, thieves or murderers by the mob, on the contrary some victims have committed no crimes. Victims who survived could be counted in the country since lynching was the final stage. Will I be the next victim of mob action? Posterity, I think I need to learn kick boxing for self-defence and act like characters in action-packed movies.

Every society has its flaws hence political leaders as well as religious leaders should implement policies to curb this act. On the threshold of democracy in the country, she was applauded and supported, nonetheless the Ghanaian seems to lose trust in the social institution. Some people claim that mob action in Ghana is caused by Police who do not perform their duty in honesty and loyalty.

The advocacy of “say no to galamsey” is yielding positive results as the fight continuous. Posterity, why is the Chinese Embassy making donations to Ghana Police Service and Attorney General’s Department, claiming to be strenghthening ties. I hope the Ghanaian lives faithfully to the words of the National Pledge.

Listen keenly, Ghana lost her son due to mob action and the nation is mourning, I lay my pen on the desk for our next chat. 

GHANA AND INTEGRITY

In an era where economic freedom is pursued with haste, Ghana has to shift its focus to what a political leader classified as “an act of terrorism”; the vigilante groups. Some weeks ago, security personnel caused insecurity in the country, but the issue of vigilante groups resurfaced to create a cloudy atmosphere. I am still wondering how prisoners escape when jailed or its just what happens in the action movies where “Rambo” narrowly escapes from jail. Does this mean the structures are poorly constructed?

Posterity, I wish these political party vigilantes were environmental vigilantes; galamsey might have being a thing of the past and our water bodies would have continued to support living organisms. It appears that the Chinese are the only culprits in this operation. However, are they the only people involved in the act?

Since the Chinese have being accused of destroying our environment, Ghanaians are not saints in the galamsey business, hence they must be apprehended. 

Some foresee the country importing water. Well, this assertion might be absurd to be true, nonetheless the spirit of patriotism is lost since some citizens can trade their future for huge sums of money which cannot replace the damage made on the environment.

At 60, autism is not clearly understood as a lifelong developmental disorder. How can my generation understand the cause of autism when it is being identified as a bad omen? Autism as lifelong developmental disorder must be handled with care to help them grow.

GALAMSEY IN LEADERSHIP

As I stretched my neck to see the post on the wall, I noticed the names of people aspiring for various portfolios in Ghana Journalist Association. Well, confusion reared its head in the association when disqualified aspirants argued out their cases from various perspectives.

Posterity, there have being some "macho men" who provide security for their respective political parties. Do you know what they do? These security forces intend to protect their party members from people who pose danger to them. The media reports that these groups disrupt social order through forceful take overs and vandalism.

Do these groups threaten national security? Posterity, in my generation, people easily identify individuals who work in the national security. Posterity, intelligence must be gathered on these "security forces" to prevent  any form of political unrest in the country. These groups are commonly associated with the National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party. What happens to other political parties which do not have these "macho men" acting as security forces.

The nation's security forces have being accused of being politically divided. Well, can you tell me the motive behind this affiliations? At 60, Ghana must strengthen her security as well as curb any situation that might lead to political violence. This is a social concern which should entice citizens to ask questions about the current state of the nation's security.

I forgot to inform you about the state of the environment. Kindly educate your scientists on how to treat polluted water bodies since my generation has refused to pay heed to the consequence of galamsey.

Emotions and personal initiatives over citizens rights.

Each profession has it code of ethics to control unprofessional behaviour of personnel. However, reading about how some Ghanaian police and soldiers execute “justice” if that is the appropriate word, destroys social trust that citizens have for the security service. Posterity, in other countries, armed groups disrupt social order but in Ghana it is on the contrary, recent occurrences can testify to it.

Counting the number of dignitaries in the Nana led administration I had 110 ministers. Posterity, take your calculator and multiply everything that will be sponsored by the tax payers money. Was it a huge figure comparing it to past governments? Okay, arguments about inconsistency and looting of the public purse were some of the issues raised against the administration. Well, some of these dignitaries are over qualified for their position but let us wait for the outcome.

Ghana and politics are synonyms since nothing done in Ghana is not associated with “who you know” syndrome. A next door neighbour argued that her government is in power so she will be prosperous. Posterity, I became confused. Will she improve on her business or the tax payers money will be at risk? Many a citizen makes this sad statement; this indicates how corruption is a virtue rather than a vice, Posterity.

Posterity, will the new government save the public purse? Most at times we compare our country to countries which are more advanced in their democracy, for example USA. Should we demand accountability at this stage? Posterity, is the government working on the idea that change is permanent hence new strategies must be drawn?

Let me ponder over the few things we have discussed. Make sure you don’t lose every information I give each week. Gird your loins, for your generations will be accountable soon.

GHANA IN A REVERSED GEAR INTO THE FUTURE

Swinging my hands whilst pacing on a large compound house, I tried to console myself with a hymn titled “when peace like a river” due to the broadcast of suicide cases in recent times. Posterity, accusing the media or any person might be wrong since investigations are still on-going. 
 

When individuals do not feel part of the society or cannot alter their life conditions, they sometimes commit suicide. Is this a rare case or there have being uncountable suicide cases which have not received media coverage? Posterity, may their souls rest in perfect peace. 

The translation of national anthem into the major Ghanaian local languages indicates that local languages will be promoted in various schools. Does the rhythm change when these versions of the national anthem are sung? Students who play drums in schools should be creative to create a rhythm for the songs. I do remember when teachers would punish students for speaking local languages in school. Posterity, at an early stage of development local languages is despised.

Posterity, do you know that music is not taught as a subject in government schools at the basic level of education. I fail to understand why music which educates the mind and soul will be removed without hesitation. Music is part of the Ghanaian culture hence its absence in the educational curriculum creates a vacuum in the heart and mind of the younger generation.

The new Ghana Journalist Association Code of Ethics will help protect the image of journalists in Ghana. Ghanaians can now distinguish between people who portray themselves as journalist and individuals who practice journalism as a profession. 

Through new media, many a person thinks journalism encompasses writing and reporting events, therefore the new code of ethics will resolve the problems that the new media creates.

I pray my generation begins to drive in the right direction, Posterity.

Mr. President is borrowing in our DNA ?

Examining the debt of Ghana, the word “borrowing” tickles me to laugh at Ghana’s debts. Searching through the calendar I doubt when debts and borrowing will not be echoed in the nation’s economy, hence I concluded that borrowing is naturally tied to our goals in Ghana. Posterity, your leader will have to work hard to pay the debts that my generation is laying up here. You will be surprised by the arguments raised here with regards to the importance of borrowing. 

The budget read by the Finance Minister is like a cake which satisfies a section of the population. Ghanaians chose what suits them, however arguments about the incompleteness of the budget was left hanging for another time. Posterity, do you think it is a norm for governments to fulfill all their promises in their year period? The government has four years to prove its worth, let’s wait and see.

A decade ago, Ghana celebrated her 50^th anniversary with issues of bribery and mismanagement describing the attitude of her children. Well, all hope is not lost when the president acknowledge heroes and heroines whose names are not often mentioned in the nation’s struggle for development and liberalization. However, issues about the 60^th anniversary cloth left me wondering when the cloth will serve its purpose since the main event had passed. Posterity, do not  argue that the celebrations does not end on the 6^th of March. Tell me, how many people will patronize the cloth after the main event on 6^th March.

As I drank “FAN CHOCO”, which is a product of FAN MILK company, I wondered how our cocoa farmers were faring. Posterity, I will end it here so as to make merry on this day. Hurray, happy 60^th anniversary.

Long live Ghana

Long Live her citizens

God Bless our Homeland Ghana

Listening attentively to the president’s state of nation address as well as remix versions by other political leaders provoked a man sitting in a commercial vehicle next to me, ask, “Are they deceiving themselves or the Ghanaian”. He argued that when leaders do not understand the state of the nation how do they fix it. Posterity, do we need to get an independent body to give the state of nation so as to prevent accusations of half truth ? To understand the whole truth one has to become a discerning listener to understand the current state of the nation.

Most Ghanaians might pay attention to the budget without understanding what it meant. Posterity, how many people understand the budget when it is being read? Illiteracy in Ghana is claimed to be reduced when most people are able to speak pidgin fluently. The reading of the budget may be viewed as a ritual instead of a detailed document which guides the government. Posterity do you mind if I tell you about the state of the nation? Well, every previous government has being tagged as a borrowing guru. Entrepreneurs are being applauded as the group of people who have the ability to change the state of the economy? Well, they move resources as well as improve on the available resources because that is the argument.

Students are busily sharpening their marching skills for the 60 year celebrations on 6^th of March, 2017. I hope at this time there will be an increase in the purchase of made in Ghana products. What is the Ghanaian expecting in the budget which will be read tomorrow by the Finance Minister? Posterity, this budget may be tagged the budget of rescue or what do you think.

Posterity, wait patiently for constructive criticisms against the budget since democracy is being upheld in the nation. Taxes serve as a source of revenue to the government, will some taxes be cut down as promised by the current government in their campaign. Posterity, will it just be a fulfillment of a promise or an action which leads to the development of the nation.

Accra at 60, Ebi Ghana we dey

Students in rural areas might swing their hands to and fro under an unforgiving sun to celebrate Ghana’s independence without understanding why they are marching. Most students only hope their school is awarded as the best at the end of the ceremony. On this day, our forefathers are being appreciated and younger generations are being encouraged to work selflessly for the development of the nation. Will bribery be the thing of the past ?

Last year, with sweat dripping down from their face due to a long march under the heat of the sun, they gladly chewed biscuits and quenched their taste with soft drinks or locally produced drinks. However, these students will confidently mention developments in various cities without identifying developments in their own districts.

Dipping my head into Proverbs of the Holy Bible, I wondered what inspired newly elected Council of State Representatives to take the responsibility of whispering words of wisdom into the ears of the president. Posterity, I am surprised when bribery allegations were raised during the election. Advice too you go bribe.

The free SHS policy has planned to embrace heritage fund after the declaration by the Senior Minister, however, Minister of Finance has made a statement which contradicts the former. The susu collector has not ticked the last box on the heritage fund card but Ghana says I need my money. Ghana might adopt children since the “free SHS policy” might invite our neighbours to move into the country.


After the state of nation address, Ghana was promised to be nourished. A remix version of the state of nation address is always presented to Ghanaians. Posterity, should an independent body give us the state of nation address since issues about half-truth have being raised over the years?

Masa, IMF bi God for Ghana?

Ghanaian graduates looked at each other’s face when the news broke about the extension of the International Monetary Fund program to 2018. A chorused question rang through their minds, “is it another year of unemployment”? At the mention of IMF most graduates and government workers knee must bow and their tongues must confess that IMF is King.

Posterity, with cases of underemployment in rural areas and unemployment in urban areas, Ghana has a lot to say on her 60^th anniversary. Graduates send certificates and curriculum vitae to various offices hoping that they quenched their taste of employment.

A bribery allegation in Ghana parliament reminds me of Dr. Dombisa Moya argument about corruption among African countries. She further argued about why African countries do not need foreign aid in order to develop. Looking through the calendar, I do not find a suitable year which marks a time Ghana will stop relying on foreign aid.

Posterity, your life is at stake since heritage fund will be used to fund the “free SHS policy”. Reading an SHS diary which explained how the rainy season always marked the beginning of holidays, due to poorly constructed classrooms, I ranked the essence of "free SHS policy".

Many a question has being raised about the achievements of Ghana at 60. Globally, what did other countries celebrate at 60?

Posterity, the eyes of Ghana have being plucked out after plagiarism clothed her in this new year. Ghana looks young at 60, if she boasts of infrastructure development.

Ghana has moved from being identified with a national anthem and a flag to multi-party system. Posterity, you need to take a closer look at the importance of "National Service" in the country.