Social Media Grave

Oya, make you pose well for a picture. The capturing sounds of the camera are transformed to the notification of "likes" as they are posted on social media platforms. We continuously bury information on various websites and social media sites with little or no concern about how it is used.

These information can either serve as good digital footprint or bad digital footprint. This gives an interpretation of our personality in the real world.

Is social media a grave where we bury information with the mindset of it being forgotten or a springboard which serves as a source of reference to lead us to higher heights?

Young people need to understand that some companies review an interviewee's social media account and the content that he or she had posted, as part of the interview process.

Posterity, some people claim that whatever they post on Facebook is just for comic relief hence their posts shouldn't be personalized. Do you agree with them?

New websites and social media platforms are being developed and one striking feature is the need to provide personal information of the user. Have you ever thought about who gets access to these information?

Dear reader, have you ever read Facebook's privacy policies or the Terms and Conditions ?

I can bet my last coin that the answer will be NO. 

Whenever I ask someone,

"Why don't you read the privacy policies or Terms and Conditions of a social media application ?" 

The regular reponse is,

"Charley, that thing is too long and after reading, you don't even understand what they've written mpo. So you just agree with them."

This might be interpreted as one being unconcerned about who gets access to their personal information. Recently, Facebook added a feature where you could add your BLOOD TYPE so as to help others in cases of emergency and this innovation pricked my conscience. Immediately, I thought about how some individuals have been victims to human body trafficking due to the exposure of their health records. I felt insecured with this innovation and didn't comply.

 

Posterity, whenever we delete a post from our social media handles does it disappear forever?

Each post made on social media is stored for future references. Well, privacy policies state that the posts which are deleted are truly deleted. Just remember social media serves as digital footprint.

Using emojis could be a subtle cause of depression among social media users. Emoji has been tool that summarises our emotions and gestures. Social Media users must be aware about the misinformation that may arise in the usage of emoji.

Let's pause here but answer this question,

Have you ever used an emoji which does not reflect your real emotion or gesture?

EDUCATION PIECE 

Have you heard of SPANISH FLY ? It is a sex enhancement drug. The video below shows how some men use it on women without their consent hence they (women) become rape victims.

Watch and don't forget to subscribe for more educative pieces on the channel.

Money and Religion.

Spiritualist  Korliba:      I know why you dey here. Make you settle de gods so sey I go fi talk dem.                                                            Tell 'em gods ya problem (pointing to an artifact). 

Abugre:                          Alright. I wan make plenty money ooo. The power to increase money.

Spiritualist Korliba:       Make you settle 10,000 cedis p3. (Incantations). From today, make you no fart or else the thing go spoil. If you do everything I talk you ah, you go get  am quick quick.

             .....story continues.

Let us just call them "traditional spiritualist" and pastors as "christian spiritualist".

Religion is a universal practice and part of the economy's superstructure. Therefore, it is important to examine the impact on a country's development. Journalism is a social science which concentrates on the social world. Posterity, why should you care about these spiritualists?

Their activities affects the social world hence it needs to be addressed. Let us look at the money economy.

Ghana's money is produced by two entities, thus, Central Bank and Spiritual Money Makers.
The latter has been overlooked due to its religious background.

Posterity, so de money wey dey "traditional spiritualists" dey produce nu, where e dey pass?

Traditional and social media have been channels used to advertise the magical prowess of traditional spiritualist and christian spiritualist. For some traditional spiritualists, conditions for the rituals are scary and frustrating. Posterity, imagine a traditional spiritualist requesting for the urine of a snake. 

Let's not point accusing fingers at traditional spiritualists.

Some christian spiritualists have carried out controversial activities ( some are ridiculous and inhuman) in the name of God. Some include;

1. They demand money for consultation, prophecies, healing, Holy Ghost baptism, and Water baptism, anointing oil, etc.

2. Brainwashing their members through religious sermons.

The common phrase used which receives a high shout of "AMEN" is either "I prophecy dollars into your life or I prophecy millions of cedis"- just to make it equivalent to the dollar. These christian spiritualists think that they are better than the traditional spiritualists.

Such a misguided judgement ! They all achieve the same goal, thus, monetize their magical prowess whilst robbing the public.

One of the fundamental measures proposed was the taxing of these spiritual money makers.
This led to a public outcry. They claimed that Ghana will incur the wrath of God if traditional spiritualists and christian spiritualists are taxed. This sentiment is hypocritical, such a paradox.

Well, who cares about the wrath of God when some of these individuals are milking and robbing the public. Posterity, don't you think God will appreciate our effort for this idea?

Many a time, excerpts of the Holy Books command people to love each other and admonishing against fraudulent acts.

African Traditional religion has been publicly criticized and downtrodden by christian spiritualists. Currently, some christian activities raises concerns about human rights abuses and fraud.

Members of these christian spiritualists lose their dignity in their bid to give testimonies. Let us argue out. Families make up a nation but they have been destroyed by the prophecies of these christian spiritualists who speak with a lose tongue. Members blame each other for their failures and unsuccessful expeditions.

Hey you ! When your pastor accuses your family member as a contributing factor to your failure, what will be your reactions?

Despite the fraudulent acts by some of these spiritualists, there are still genuine spiritualists out there in the world.

I will place my pen down and help grandmother prepare some dawadawa for the next market day.


Watch this video and let us keep the conversation on.




Second Video


 Image: Google.

Climate Change and the Adamant Ghanaian.

The human race is unconsciously planning to wipe out every living creature on earth. This doomsday strategy is not facilitated with the help of aliens as are being shown in Science-Fiction movies. This plan will be successfully executed when there is a continual use of fossil fuel, existence of coal plants, high import duties on solar panel batteries, deforestation at every level(caused in the cocoa supply chain, illegal chainsaw operators, galamsey) , among others. 


There has been an unending conflict between various stakeholders, thus NGOs and the government, over the conservation of the environment. The reality of climate change cannot be altered, hence world leaders must support the mitigation of climate change.

The human population increases significantly each year, however the environment has served a home to every living organism, from Paranthropus boisei (first man) to Homo sapiens (today’s man). Climate change is an anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This causes global warming, high rise in sea levels, acidic ocean, extinction of some living organisms, among others.

Posterity, if Ghanaians aren't ready to protect the environment, then they should not give birth. A destroyed environment wouldn't support life.


Climate change is a global issue hence the United Nations placed it as the 13^th Sustainable Goal Development in 2015 as “COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE”. Each country is obliged to work towards the achievement of low carbon emissions. Organizations such as 350.org, Friends of the Earth, and others have committed to the reduction of carbon emission through dialoguing, campaigns, protest and community engagement at various levels. The Pope of the Catholic Church proclaimed that the fuel companies should keep the oil in the ground to save the planet.

Ghana has committed herself to international conventions, and/or treaties notably Paris Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA’s) among others. However, Ghana is moving at a slower pace in combating climate change. This reflects in high tariffs on solar panel batteries, deforestation caused in the cocoa supply chain, plans on drilling oil in Keta, pending actions on Atiwa forest, etc. Notably, Africa as a continent contributes 5% of global carbon emissions.

The Renewable Energy (ACT 832) of Ghana aims to provide for the development, management, utilization, sustainability and adequate supply of renewable energy for generation of heat and power and for related matters. Also, it paves way for private business in setting up renewable energy businesses. The government of Ghana aims to have a power mix of 10% renewable energy by 2030. 

Each year new renewable energy products are manufactured, however, the consumer must be protected from exploitation. Some section of the public have complained about fake solar products in the market, hence the government and various stakeholders must rise against fake renewable products in the market.

In 2016, the government’s indication in its manifesto to establish a 700MW coal plant was questioned by the National Coordinator of 350- Ghana Reducing Our Carbon, Ezekiel Chibeze. According to the group, the plan to build a coal plant by the Shenzhen Company to supplement the power supply posed a serious environmental risk to the country.  In addition, the group found flaws in the impact assessment provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In 2018, the government aims at converting the Atiwa Forest into a bauxite mining site. A group named Concern Citizens of Atewa Lanscape  and Save Atewa Forest have the led the fight against the mining of bauxite in the Atewa Forest.

Posterity, the government says there will be responsible mining. Let us be realistic and ask the government about the current situation of the mining companies. The fight for "Bauxite Money" is still on.





Do the current companies practice "responsible mining"?

Despite these developments, the fight for clean energy is still pursued. The environment is intrinsically tied to the human race, therefore a reduction in carbon emissions by Ghana is significant in achieving a continental and global goal.

The fight against climate change cannot be achieved without the conscious effort of citizens in the country. Don’t just wait and anticipate the outcome of climate change. Participate and join the advocacy for a clean and conducive environment for everyone.