THE EX GRATIA: A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE.
One of the commonest newly discovered words in the lexicon of most Ghanaians in 2009 undoubtedly is ex gratia not withstanding capricious, bogus and hit the road running expression. Its commonest usage is reflected at almost all meetings especially when a person is asked to perform a task. This 2nd semester on our various campuses could not be excluded from the usage of this new jargon. Almost all out-going executives of social or students associations on campus at one time or the other had asked for his or her ex gratia at meetings.
According to the Macmillan English Dictionary, “ex gratia payment is made because you are generous, not because of a legal obligation”. Does that therefore means fulfilling this all-time appreciated thing is not compulsory after all or is it that the act is being given the wrong label in Ghana?
For all intents and purposes, leadership is the science of influencing and ensuring that the conditions of a person or group of persons who agrees to follow a leader are made better. This, political leadership is no exception.
Undoubtedly, the greatest leader ever to live on earth is Jesus Christ (or Holy Prophet Mohammed as the case may be). This is a leader-servant who did everything possible to attain the basic tenet of leadership-bettering the lives of one’s followers. Despite the many heroic accolades he enjoyed from wherever he either went or mention was made of his name, he always persevered to achieving this fundamental pillar of his chosen endeavour-leadership. Yes, I absolutely agree that he was a spirit-physical being. How about the many selfless and industrious nationalists whose names have been written not only in the cerebrums of the current generation but also on tabloids located in the minds of generations yet unborn? Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Florence Nightingale, Mohandas Gandhi, and the many unsung heroes and heroines who worked 24/7 just for three reasons: bettering lives, bettering lives and bettering lives were at least humans just like us. These were people who one can conclude that their ids were insensitive even if they had it.
It is a fact that even in serving (leading as we often see) your people, you cannot run the race on an empty stomach. I believe with conviction that once a person makes the decisive intention to serve his or her people, s/he must be amply content with the “many” facilities available to the chosen office. Again, I cannot but re-echo that leadership is absolutely about sacrifice. That is the sole reason that upon hearing the words of our National Anthem being sung, our gallant men and women everywhere: in the field of sports, on the battlefield, on the farm or in the office beat against all odds to rise and defend the good name of Ghana.
As humans as we are and will forever remain, we will always honour those who serve us. But should this be to the detriment of the many youth who throng the streets of our towns and cities doing “nothing”, the many pregnant women, old men and women who defied all odds and waited in long queues in the ever scorching sun to exercise their franchise just of the view that it will make their lives better, the many Ghanaians who not by any fault of theirs happen to share brownish coloured water with cattle and other farm animals? To this, I say absolutely NO! Indeed, who am I to object honouring our leaders (oh no our servants!). Yes, a nation which does not honour her heroes and heroines is not worth dying for. But how do we honour them?
Please just a minute and let me refresh your memory: lump sum payment of US$ 400,000, US$ 1,000,000 for the establishment of a foundation, 2 fully furnished residences, 3 saloon cars, 2 cross country vehicles and 1 all-purpose vehicle (6 vehicles in all) to be maintained, insured, fuelled, chauffeur driven, police guards, couple to travel overseas once a year for not more than 65 days with 3 personal assistants and security detail, entertainment package, 24/7 security guard, free medical attention, and an ex gratia award equivalent to 18 months consolidated salary, and an additional resettlement grant. All these are to be provided to the Ex Prez. J.A. Kufuor by Ghanaians including the tired and restless looking “Kayaye” striving on the pavements of Makola (Yes, “Kayayes” pay taxes!). For the MPs, let’s keep it for another day but remember, the value is the same (“shame”!). How about this: US$ 191,000 pension, couple’s secret service protection, paid travel expenses with 2 assistants, a private fund to establish a library and free medical care for the couple and nothing else! This is the retirement package for Ex Prez. G. W. Bush. Sh! Close your mouth else that flying housefly gets into it! Worthy to know is the fact that both leaders went out of office nearly the same time. Both are gentlemen in their own rights and of high reputation. Lest I forget we borrowed and were also given some “coins” by this same gentlemen’s country! Have you forgotten the MCA and all the other doles which they dolled out to us? During all these times, a question kept criss-crossing my mind: is it that we are richer than the US or we know how to appreciate our ex servants better than the US or it’s sheer affluence? So God help us.
Has the current threats to embark on various forms of industrial strikes has any root in the proposal and payment of ex gratia to the politicians? Has the politicians (government officials and MPs) ever went on strike? If no, is it that they “love” the nation more than any other person?
I wish to suggest that the constitutional review that is currently being proposed by almost all stakeholders should as a matter of national priority review the provision of the Articles relating to the retirement packages of ex government officials. There should be a befitting package for all national servants not all politicians but also the public and civil servants which will stipulate such items to be given out both in quality and quantity irrespective of who and when the recipient is to receive it.
Also, the hullabaloo surrounding who, where and when the bill was passed suggests that certain “sensitive” bills must not be allowed to go through the House at the last minutes before the dissolution of the House. Let us make integrity and the love of one’s country the guiding principles.
With all said and done, the words of one of the greatest leaders, Mohandas ‘Great Soul’ Gandhi, reverberate in my mind that, “time monuments to the great are not statutes of marble, bronze or gold”. The best monument cannot but be remembered about caring for humanity.
(This article was written by the author and published earlier in "Opinion" section of ghanaweb).
Monday, July 27, 2009
YES, SHE'S WORTHY OF CELEBRATION.
YES, SHE’S WORTHY OF CELEBRATION
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
A woman of great virtues
Honest, humble, cheerful, caring and lovingly
Afenor Comfort Awovi Amedoadzi
( also called Naanaa)
We salute you this day
For you’re worthy of celebration
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
Your sense of responsibility
And attitude towards life in general
Cannot be overemphasized
Inculcation of your cherished virtues into us
This you did earnestly
We all in one accord cannot but say
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
A mother to all
Regardless of true biological background
Of any and everybody
A mother to all
From Charity through Wisdom to Esinam
From Mawufemor through Stella to Dotse
And to the many others
We are proud to have shared
Those priceless moments together
We all in one accord
Proclaim to the world
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
Naanaa! Naanaa!! Naanaa!!!
Tomorrow, Monday, 27th July, 2009
Marks exactly one year
When that great and inevitable
But too sudden agony of darkness dawned on us
How traumatic?
Indeed, it has been too emotional
To just realize we cannot travel home
To see you and your highly tasteful and sweet bread
And later “agawu”
The next morning when we wake up
Naanaa, you indeed, have contributed
Your quota to the betterment of humanity
We, therefore, cannot but say to the world
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
Naanaa! Naanaa!! Naanaa!!!
Your most cherished virtues
You’ve undoubtedly implanted in us
Will continue to move and shake
The foundations of the world
For the betterment of humanity
Till the end of time
Naanaa, we mourn your death
Through the celebration of your life
And together, we proclaim to the world
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
Naanaa! Naanaa!! Naanaa!!!
Hede nyuie
Gbor le nutifafa me
Miaga do go le Mawu fe akorme.
Written in commemoration of the 1st anniversary of the death of the author's late auntie, Afenor Comfort Awovi Amedoadzi (Naanaa).
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
A woman of great virtues
Honest, humble, cheerful, caring and lovingly
Afenor Comfort Awovi Amedoadzi
( also called Naanaa)
We salute you this day
For you’re worthy of celebration
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
Your sense of responsibility
And attitude towards life in general
Cannot be overemphasized
Inculcation of your cherished virtues into us
This you did earnestly
We all in one accord cannot but say
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
A mother to all
Regardless of true biological background
Of any and everybody
A mother to all
From Charity through Wisdom to Esinam
From Mawufemor through Stella to Dotse
And to the many others
We are proud to have shared
Those priceless moments together
We all in one accord
Proclaim to the world
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
Naanaa! Naanaa!! Naanaa!!!
Tomorrow, Monday, 27th July, 2009
Marks exactly one year
When that great and inevitable
But too sudden agony of darkness dawned on us
How traumatic?
Indeed, it has been too emotional
To just realize we cannot travel home
To see you and your highly tasteful and sweet bread
And later “agawu”
The next morning when we wake up
Naanaa, you indeed, have contributed
Your quota to the betterment of humanity
We, therefore, cannot but say to the world
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
Naanaa! Naanaa!! Naanaa!!!
Your most cherished virtues
You’ve undoubtedly implanted in us
Will continue to move and shake
The foundations of the world
For the betterment of humanity
Till the end of time
Naanaa, we mourn your death
Through the celebration of your life
And together, we proclaim to the world
Yes, she’s worthy of celebration
Naanaa! Naanaa!! Naanaa!!!
Hede nyuie
Gbor le nutifafa me
Miaga do go le Mawu fe akorme.
Written in commemoration of the 1st anniversary of the death of the author's late auntie, Afenor Comfort Awovi Amedoadzi (Naanaa).
THE "MFODWO" MONSTER
THE “MFODWO” MONSTER.
The thought of an impending examination is so striking and startling that neither the core of the examinee’s heart nor the marrow of his or her bone is excluded from the jolting experience. After the many nightmares of what may or may not happen during the exams, alas ! the D-Day is here.
Examination, according to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary refers to “a formal test of knowledge or proficiency in a subject area or skill”. As defined above, it involves the determination of one’s dexterity in a specific area of study. How involving? One’s dexterity? I just remembered a chemistry master back then in the days when I was in High School ( or no Secondary School!) whose favourite expression was that nobody not even the so acclaimed scholar that you are seeing yourself can boast of being an arsenal of knowledge in any field of study. To him, a question pose on the area of study under consideration by someone out there has but one potency –to expose your colossal ignoramus!
More often than not, people develop panic reactions towards examinations maybe due to the much dreadful stuff they had heard or perhaps the grandeur importance associated to such an activity. This runs through all levels of the educational system. Some examinees at times record the highest levels of their adrenalin readings during these times. Eheeeei? Undoubtedly, this unusual feeling has the tendency to lead to a psychological disorder that may be perilous if early and remarkable steps are not taken to terminate its continuity.
My experience of examination times on the campus of the nation’s Premier University, University of Ghana (‘Glory’) is really intriguing. The first half of every semester is really enjoyable for almost everyone with the introverts inclusive. The reason? Charlie, bey you know? Exam is far away! About six weeks to the end of the semester, the race starts with the “antisos” setting the pace for the imminent gruelling encounter. A week after this, the atmosphere is completely changed. How sudden? Reading places which hitherto were virtually empty start to fill to capacity. Interestingly enough, the ingenuity of my comrades come into play. New and “comfortable” reading centres like staircases (or no walkways!) are created. This tells you the seriousness that is attached to examinations. But this bring to fore the inadequate (too small) number of reading rooms on campus for our use. After forcing your way through a well packed entrance to a reading room which is about blowing up due to the over population, the more upsetting and enthralling the episode unravels.
Great minds are seen studying with the highest possible zeal. In fact, many are times when a person reaches his or her elastic limit and even about exceeding it hence about breaking after the next seconds but will not leave and relax for some few minutes outside. This may be accounted for by the thought of not getting a place again should s/he go out for a second and come back. All ‘sorts’ of behaviours are displayed during this time: yawning, sighing, stretching of arms and body, whispering, ‘shouting’ and many other attention-grabbing attitudes. Yes, thank you my memory! I just remembered a friend who after taking a course in abnormal behaviour started to “diagnose” some personality disorders among these people. Or was it a psychotic behaviour?
“Mfodwo” as it is affectionately called on campus (yes, affectionately because in this way it may extend some favours to us) is indeed fearful to many. Vandals can’t but go on a procession christened ““Mfodwo” Escort” with but one main reason: to rucksack the ‘monster’ from human neighbourhood. Can’t you grab the inkling from the songs used for the procession? So, are they also afraid after all?
After the frightful moments are over for some ‘fortunate’ students who happen to have their last paper taken before the official date for the end of the examinations, here comes the who is who contest. These students come to reading rooms with a lot of books numbering at least twenty per student and begin to depict those actions they did when the ‘monster’ was right before them and even exaggerate them. They do this even in the presence of those who still have the ‘monster’ to face. How annoying?
Is “Mfodwo” really a monster? Should it be continued as a way of evaluating learners? I will provide you with answers to these and many other bewildering related issues like the origin of the name “Mfodwo” for exams on my campus when we meet again. Until then, stay alert taking in recognition that prior preparation prevents poor performance and that prior preparation is the only way that leads to spectacular achievement despite it is unspectacular because the “Mfodwo” monster still reigns.
(This was an article written by the author for publication by the Legon Hall Mag of UG, 2009/10 edition)
The thought of an impending examination is so striking and startling that neither the core of the examinee’s heart nor the marrow of his or her bone is excluded from the jolting experience. After the many nightmares of what may or may not happen during the exams, alas ! the D-Day is here.
Examination, according to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary refers to “a formal test of knowledge or proficiency in a subject area or skill”. As defined above, it involves the determination of one’s dexterity in a specific area of study. How involving? One’s dexterity? I just remembered a chemistry master back then in the days when I was in High School ( or no Secondary School!) whose favourite expression was that nobody not even the so acclaimed scholar that you are seeing yourself can boast of being an arsenal of knowledge in any field of study. To him, a question pose on the area of study under consideration by someone out there has but one potency –to expose your colossal ignoramus!
More often than not, people develop panic reactions towards examinations maybe due to the much dreadful stuff they had heard or perhaps the grandeur importance associated to such an activity. This runs through all levels of the educational system. Some examinees at times record the highest levels of their adrenalin readings during these times. Eheeeei? Undoubtedly, this unusual feeling has the tendency to lead to a psychological disorder that may be perilous if early and remarkable steps are not taken to terminate its continuity.
My experience of examination times on the campus of the nation’s Premier University, University of Ghana (‘Glory’) is really intriguing. The first half of every semester is really enjoyable for almost everyone with the introverts inclusive. The reason? Charlie, bey you know? Exam is far away! About six weeks to the end of the semester, the race starts with the “antisos” setting the pace for the imminent gruelling encounter. A week after this, the atmosphere is completely changed. How sudden? Reading places which hitherto were virtually empty start to fill to capacity. Interestingly enough, the ingenuity of my comrades come into play. New and “comfortable” reading centres like staircases (or no walkways!) are created. This tells you the seriousness that is attached to examinations. But this bring to fore the inadequate (too small) number of reading rooms on campus for our use. After forcing your way through a well packed entrance to a reading room which is about blowing up due to the over population, the more upsetting and enthralling the episode unravels.
Great minds are seen studying with the highest possible zeal. In fact, many are times when a person reaches his or her elastic limit and even about exceeding it hence about breaking after the next seconds but will not leave and relax for some few minutes outside. This may be accounted for by the thought of not getting a place again should s/he go out for a second and come back. All ‘sorts’ of behaviours are displayed during this time: yawning, sighing, stretching of arms and body, whispering, ‘shouting’ and many other attention-grabbing attitudes. Yes, thank you my memory! I just remembered a friend who after taking a course in abnormal behaviour started to “diagnose” some personality disorders among these people. Or was it a psychotic behaviour?
“Mfodwo” as it is affectionately called on campus (yes, affectionately because in this way it may extend some favours to us) is indeed fearful to many. Vandals can’t but go on a procession christened ““Mfodwo” Escort” with but one main reason: to rucksack the ‘monster’ from human neighbourhood. Can’t you grab the inkling from the songs used for the procession? So, are they also afraid after all?
After the frightful moments are over for some ‘fortunate’ students who happen to have their last paper taken before the official date for the end of the examinations, here comes the who is who contest. These students come to reading rooms with a lot of books numbering at least twenty per student and begin to depict those actions they did when the ‘monster’ was right before them and even exaggerate them. They do this even in the presence of those who still have the ‘monster’ to face. How annoying?
Is “Mfodwo” really a monster? Should it be continued as a way of evaluating learners? I will provide you with answers to these and many other bewildering related issues like the origin of the name “Mfodwo” for exams on my campus when we meet again. Until then, stay alert taking in recognition that prior preparation prevents poor performance and that prior preparation is the only way that leads to spectacular achievement despite it is unspectacular because the “Mfodwo” monster still reigns.
(This was an article written by the author for publication by the Legon Hall Mag of UG, 2009/10 edition)
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