2012: THE YEAR OF JOB’S PRAYER FOR SELF AND COUNTRY

It has been an activity packed year for many individuals, organisations and institutions and nations across the world. It is that time of the year when all these persons and groups have either completed or are about to finish analysing how the year – 2012 – has been for them. For me and my country, Ghana, it has been moments when we could not hold it but offer the proverbial Job’s prayers of all time. I remember very vividly the 01.01.12 and how I looked forward to have a glorious 2012. I remember the highly admirable look I conceived about 2012 on that fateful day. I am not a believer of numerology but I admired some figures or numbers and letters of the alphabets. I guess apart from the interpretations that are given to some of these numbers which sometimes when I hear may tend to sway me to love them, I think my admiration, to especially numbers, might be the stylish pattern in which some of them are written. 2012 is one of such figures put together. After that highly enviable thought on 2012, the journey began sooner than I thought. I had my first disappointment from a prospective supervisor in school in just the first week of the year. hmmmm! Later, the glorious moments I wished for started unfolding and I thought this might be my year. Going back home to meet my twin sister and other siblings, parents, family and friends took me to another level of what I thought will be the unforgotten year due to its positive happenings. Unfortunately, the tide turned! 2012 started to unfold another stretch of itself and continued in like manner far more than I could ever imagine until now that I have experienced it all. Oh! yeah, on this day, the moments of almost the last quarter of the year is still fresh on my mind as if it just happened in the last 1 second. During the time of coming out with most of these decisions, I trust not only my thoughts but the suggestions of many who spoke to me. However, I cannot forget about the extremely negative aftermath of those decisions but will suffice to state, at least for now, that there is much truth inherent in that cliché that says not all that glitters is gold. It was in the ‘heat’ of that cold winter that I have to learn that excellent lesson of my identity. Ghana, indeed, had her own share of the agonised moments of 2012. Until 2012, the death of a sitting president was alien to us in Ghana. Anytime we hear this, it is a somewhat imagined news to us. Even when the foulmouthed political opponents talk about it, most people just consider it as one of their low blows. It was in the afternoon of 24.07.12, some minutes after 1415 hrs GMT while I was chatting me some colleagues in the EM department of the NMIMR, Legon, that that unprecedented news hit us – the death of Ghana’s then seating president, Prof. JEA Mills. It did not end there for my dear country. In the midst of the rising political tensions in the country, almost every cool headed lover of this country will wish that the peaceful, calm and wise statesmen will be around to soothe others should any untoward occurrence happen. Unfortunately, as a country, we had to lose that gem of a calm character, Alhadji Aliu Mahama (who until then was the only surviving vice president of Ghana) on 16.11.12 @ 0945 hrs GMT. As if these were not tragic enough for Ghana, that peace-loving, unifier, intelligent and forthright man, Mr. Henry Ford Karmel, the then Volta Regional Minister, left us on 25.12.12. What a tragedy we had to face as a country! It is gratifying that despite the acrimony and the few excesses that characterised the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, which I must say is still not over yet, we have manage to still being considered the beacon of African’s democracy. It has been tough and rough, moments when we felt it is about to be over but we have managed to go through 2012 till the last day of the year. It has been by God’s providence and abundant mercies that has pulled us through. 2013 does not look like one of such nice numbers on my mind. Again, interpretations been given it has been one of mixed feelings. However, the God of Daniel is still alive and I trust He will make you, I, Ghana and of course, your country, greater and stronger in 2013. Folk, remember, your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it! Laweregbenya (laweregbenya@gmail.com)

LET THE PEACE BELL RING

Many hundreds of innocent and peace loving Ghanaians over the few months have lined up on our streets singing one patriotic or sober song or the other. It's so common that one does not need to wonder what's happening with these many people: it is the usual maltreatment that the good people of this country on the West coast of the Africa continent are subjected to every four years. The only difference is that that of this year is likely to be associated with the queues formed by Liberian refugees in Ghana in camps such as the Buduburam Camp some months ago or that of the Ivoirians which interestingly is been viewed by many Ghanaians today. But should our adrenalin continue to register record highs during elections every four years, are we not likely to be considering other forms of leadership? Anyways! In less than 24 hours, the people of my beloved country, Ghana, goes to the polls to exercise that inalienable right of electing their President and Members of Parliament. After five successive democratic elections which have seen successful transfer of political power from and to two political parties (since the other many parties cannot make any significant impact), Ghana is regarded as the democratic pacesetter on a continent that has been plagued with numerous instances of dictatorship. Interestingly, this current election has been seen by many people as the one likely to throw the entire nation into chaos. Violence knocks at our door. Indeed, there are many who share the view that Ghanaians have been psychologically primed for violence in these impending elections. This led to the famous Peace Accord (The Kumasi Declaration) that has been signed by the flagbearers of all contesting political parties in these elections. I dare say this Declaration may just have no impact if we, the people, ain't ready to make it work. Despite being the oasis of peace and the living testimony of democracy on the Continent, we still have more to show in our socioeconomic existence. That will be for another day! Today, it is the call for peace! We cannot redefine peaceful, free, fair and transparent election as only a win for the opposition party. No, a free and fair election goes far beyond that. Let us all play by the rule. The standard bearers, their political parties, the Electoral Commission and its agents manning the polling stations, the security officials, the media and of course, you and I must play by the rule on this day of the elections. It is also indeed true that the unemployed youth are those recruited as thugs to cause these troubles. Is that why our politicians (leaders) on the Continent (not excluding Ghana) are not serious about creating meaningful, worthy and sustainable job opportunities for their ever teaming youthful population? If yes, then fellow youth, let's cancel this violence agenda of this election so that after the election we can take on whoever wins to enquire of our due – the jobs. Just look at this: you have a brother and a sister, a mum or a dad that you love so much and perhaps a girl/boyfriend. Interestingly, because they are not at the polling station where you have decided to strike someone's head all in the name of ensuring that your favourite politician wins, you think they (your love ones) are safe. Wait a second! Don't you think someone may just be doing the same 'justice' to them wherever they are in the country at the same time? Think about it. This is the reality! Again, do you think that any of the five or so children of Nana Akuffo-Addo or the seven or so children of John Mahama will take part in any fight so that their respective dad win? NO, they won't! Even some may not be awake to listen to the results as they are declared polling station by polling station, constituency by constituency; they will sleep! Yes, some will sleep and only hear how the results have been trickling in only on the next day. Have you also thought about the fact that most of the top politicians who ask you to and pay you for violence have their children and wives outside Ghana? Think about this! Do you know that should violence break out, you may die within some few hours or days but neither Nana Akuffo-Addo nor John Mahama is likely to die immediately as a result of the violence? Think about it! But to the so-called men of God (yes, I said so!), opinion leaders, traditional leaders, influential people and the so-called big wo(men) who in this time of a 'possible' chaos chose to be silence obviously for their parochial interests should remember they might just be the targets of some of the “well-thinking” youth who may be on rampage during those times. It is also a fact that in times of trouble and war, citizens go to neighbouring countries. Just to remind you about our neighbours: Cote D'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Togo. Indeed, these countries are as unstable as the word. Oh yeah! The last alternative is the Gulf of Guinea. Are we heading into the sea? Oh no! Let's rethink about this again. The Prayers, the Peace Marches, the Peace Accord, and the dialogues will come to nought if we ain't ready to practicalize them. I trust you reading this may not engage yourself in any violent act but remember to tap the shoulder of the unfortunate one who has not gotten the opportunity to read this not to participate in any act of chaos as well. We have just one country that we call our own. One country that we call home. The United States of America is the surname of democracy for the world and so are we for Africa. Just exactly a month ago today, Mitt Romney did what he ought to do despite the much amount of billions of hard cash and other things he pumped into his campaign – he accepted defeat! You may not be available to contest and possibly win in the future but your party will. That's what makes the United States the giant of democracy. We have become the showpiece and an icon of democracy and we cannot but prove to the world that yeah, we deserve it. We cannot let our people down. We cannot let the youth and the children of this country down. This is our time. This is the moment we have. Let's make Ghana proud again. Don't forget it is said that you don't know the value of peace until you lose it. Unfortunately, this current experiment of trying to lose it does not engage the famous trial and error mechanism because the gains would be destroyed in just seconds and decades would be needed for the rebuilding. I seriously believe in the Ghanaian people and believe also that God will see as through again. Let the best candidate win. Let the Peace Bell Ring. Let democracy win. Let Ghana win. Folk, remember your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it!

Lawer Egbenya (laweregbenya@gmail.com , laweregbenya.blogspot.com)

WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED FOR A PEACEFUL ELECTION 2012?

In exactly five weeks from now, the country called Ghana will ask her citizens to choose for themselves a leader for the next four years provided all things being equal. Yeah, it is the election that has been tagged as the make or break by many. Many also think that despite Election 2008 was regarded as tough and highly competitive, that of the impending one is on an even higher pedestal. Among the many names assigned this election, that which remains on the lips of many and even in the recesses of their memories and that which promises to go into history is that of the All-Die-Be-Die mantra. Indeed, it is an all-die-be-die election but we are in a position now than ever to make it the most peaceful election in our democratic dispensation. Firstly, as expected in any worthy election there must be a sense of competition. A healthy competition is that which all worthy societies wish for and progressively attempts to seek during such elections. However, that of the December 7th, 2012 elections in Ghana is fast promising to fall below this standard. Will it? However, natural occurrences seem to be working against this from happening. The NPP presidential candidate is credited for that infamous mantra of all-die-be-die. He and his party executives have tried on almost all fronts to tell the good people of Ghana that that expression is just a wake-up call; a clarion one on their supporters for surveillance before and during the elections. This certainly was condemned in no uncertain terms by many well-meaning Ghanaians and civil groups. But hey! Wait a second. Has the NPP stopped propagating such a mantra: militancy, anger, acrimony? To be fair to the loyalists of the NPP, my best answer is NO! Yes, no! To even make matters worse for the major opposition party, the NPP, is the highly individualistic perspective from which the lenses of the glasses of the flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo seems to be viewing. As should be expected in an election, the main opposition would like to win back power but the condition of Nana Addo raises the stakes even higher and tighter. Here is an astute politician with the dream of reliving the days of his father at the presidency. Unfortunately, his attempt at the presidency has not been successful until today. The greatest enemy, now, for him is his age. At 68, he has to win the impending election or forget it. This is because should he lose this election, he will be 72 at the time of the next elections in 2016 and it will be very suicidal for his party to bring him back as their presidential candidate. This is, indeed, the basis of the all-die-be-die nature of the election from the NPP’s standard-bearer’s point of view. For PR gimmicks, one does not expect the NPP to accept this stance publicly. But the grand question is whether the NPP will allow the egoistic obsession of an individual to ruin the fortunes of the whole party in impending elections and throw the country into doom? Or will they stand up to reality and assert that should we lose, there is still another day; even if not with Nana Addo, it will certainly be one of us? This is their dilemma. For me, this is not a dilemma at all. It is a straight forward issue that must be answered without shivering by the party hierarchy and her loyalists. Oh yeah! The National Democratic Party (NDP) led by Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings had even drawn the National Democratic Congress (NDC) into the web of the all-die-be-die nature of the elections. Yes, it did. It is a fact that the NDP was in the election to destruct the chances of the NDC. From that perspective, the NDC were all up in arms to fight back. Certainly, this increased the tension characterising the campaigns to the election. Fortunately (yes fortunately, not only for the NDC but for the whole country in the name of reduction of the tension), the NDP was disqualified. It might be difficulty to understand why the simple filling of forms might be the toughest thing for a political party to do. How possible? How then can they muster the courage to tell you and I that they are in to govern? But again, is this not a possible manifestation of the invisible hand at work in the affairs of our country? This is possible because it will calm tension within the NDC which hitherto would have been more aggressive to counter the NPP knowing that NDP is on its (NDC) heels. But now that NDP is out of the race (at least for now until the ruling by the Supreme Court on the issue as brought before it by the NDP), the NDC is calmer and certainly this will reduce the overall aggression they will take into the elections. The political temperature and tempers in the country started rising towards the 2012 elections immediately after the late president was sworn in as president of Ghana. This continued until a man acclaimed by all: both young and old, rich and poor, literate and illiterates, Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians, indeed, people of all races, as a gentle, calm and peace-loving, the late Prof. J.E.A. Mills gave up his spirit to do what has now been christened as ‘to perform celestial duties’. Has the peace-loving man not paid the ultimate price for us? Then, the disqualification of the NDP comes in afterwards. These are two paramount and high pitch sounding signals that we must protect the peace we have as a country. Let not destroy the little that has been built. Just imagine how we have struggled to get this far. How do we begin all over again? Let this ring through your mind as the election approaches. What else do we need in order to control ourselves so as to ensure a peaceful election after all that nature has worked for us (some though sorrowful) through highly non-understandable angles? As the D-day approaches, we keep our fingers crossed and expect each and every one of us to do our best in the supreme interest of the country and our own existence as humans and behave as expected. The best candidate ought to win and transform the fortunes of our people. Remember in all things you can make the world better with the power of your thought. Think about it! Lawer Egbenya (laweregbenya@gmail.com, www.danielegbenya.blogspot.com).

THE ‘IMPARTIAL’ RULING OF A ‘PARTIAL’ JUDGE

To Daniel, God is the upright judge. Certainly, there is none that holds the truth and nothing but the absolute truth resides with Him alone. Unfortunately, humans, in our mortal existence are confronted with diverse issues that require determination of the truthfulness or otherwise. In all these circumstances, we pretend to seek for nothing but the truth. More often than not humans massage the truth mostly in an attempt to project a particular course or aim! Democracy, today, is touted as the best form of government by many. To me, this goes to confirm that school of thought that in the midst of the worst things, the worse is always the best. One understands this assertion especially when s/he takes into cognisance the woes of some countries which are rated highly on the democratic pedestal. Oh yeah, I hope you know democracy is not just the ‘peaceful’ change of government through the ballot box. It goes far beyond that. For me, anytime I hear democracy being nicknamed as “The Best” form of government, only three understandings come to mind: development, development and development. But is that what we see in Ghana and in many other places where the foundation of democracy is hyped as being firmly rooted? Has democracy not been reduced to the mere media freedom which in most instances warrants the doling out of largesse to the so-called senior journalists who will splashed the front pages of their tabloid newspapers lauding the democratic tendency and perceived development-oriented agenda of their pay masters? Oh yeah and we have those we call human rights advocates! Hahahahaaaa. Advocates, indeed! They only remember they are advocates when the rights of some sections of the populace are trampled upon. One wonders why transparency, justice and accountability to one’s people can’t be found in our national transactions. I hope you know that the mere trumpeting of these ‘cliché’ by some individuals does not convince you to think that they are better at respecting and projecting these principles than the culprits who have dumped these essential prerequisites in any meaningful leadership engagement. Despite it is not over yet, the date Wednesday, 19th September, 2012 marked not only a significant but a memorable day in the democratic dispensation of Ghana. The brouhaha about the creation of forty five constituencies by the Electoral Commission which will be used in the impending national presidential and parliamentary elections had what is generally christened the Series of EC’s Legal Battles. The adrenaline levels of many especially those for the creation increased to unimaginable levels taken into consideration rulings of the courts in recent past. My oh my! In the morning of the above date, many politicians, political watchers and lovers of politics were in a dilemma as to what will be the outcome of the nation’s highest court’s, the Supreme Court, ruling. To many, the fate of the December, 7th elections this year especially with reference to the audacity to be felt by the EC rests on this day’s ruling. Another intriguing aspect of the whole “show” was when another lawyer who was for the creation filed another case at the Supreme Court in the morning of the same day asking the Court not to hear the case in which opponents of the creation of the constituencies are asking for an injunction to be placed on parliament preventing it from sitting and subsequently passing the constitutional instrument (CI) creating the constituencies, CI 78. No sooner than later, the judge was ready with his ruling on which political watchers tag as the fate of the “All-Die-Be-Die” elections. Injunction or no injunction remained the questions on the lips of many. He finally pronounced his ruling and as common sense and perhaps precedence will have it, a country which is praised for its stable democracy must not be seen trembling with the foundation of what she is praised for. He threw away the application for the injunction. This is a matter in which everyone accepts that the EC is constitutionally mandated to do so. The issue of the duration to the elections being short is the most talked about by those against the creation. Certainly, this is a fact. Interestingly though, the chief organiser of the election, EC, says that’s no challenge. This is what baffles me. Is it that the main opposition, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) benefited from the creation of the thirty constituencies which was done when it was in power and hence are suspicious the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) will do same? To even make matters more intriguing, those against the creation are seen vigorously campaigning as parliamentary candidates in the yet-to-be created constituencies. What a world we live in! Another source of the confusion is that despite the NPP says the time limit to the elections is short and hence it will be too much of a challenge to organise parliamentary primaries to elect candidates in the to-be-created constituencies, their candidates in some of the existing constituencies are now being elected. What a world we live in! I can’t also forget that claim that there is not much money to be used on the new law-makers should the constituencies be created. Yeah, that’s explicit. It’s a fact. The issue of unemployment, lack of potable drinking water, diseases and the gulf of difficulties which have entangled us as a nation are still with us today but what do we see! Ain’t we in this state before we, as a people, have legalised the payment of unimaginable and unthinkable amounts to be chopped by few in power and also use gargantuan amounts to pay peanuts which have accumulated over the years, the so called judgement debts? Do you remember the most used word in Ghana in the year 2009 – Ex gratia? What about the on-going astronomical salary increment of the current MPs? Certainly, our democracy needs a reform. We need democracy but it must be adjusted to suit our existence as a people; one that is geared towards bettering the generality of the people and not those in power and their cohorts at any particular time. The main question now is will the partial judge be impartial in the determination of the substantive case which seeks to prevent the EC from embarking on the creation of the proposed constituencies come next month? We are in the hands of time! Let’s work for the betterment of humanity at all times for remember your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it! Lawer Egbenya. (laweregbenya@gmail.com, www.modernghana.com/author/laweregbenya)

CHANGE WE NEED

It is said that change is the only constant parameter in the universe; anything else under goes one form of transformation or the other at a point in time. This change, in almost all cases, is a must and a necessity that must be attained. Intriguing as it maybe, some people don’t think about the essence of change; the relevance of change is not in their psyche. To them, the status quo is always the best. A prominent mark of the adherents of the status quo is the ability of not thinking about change; they do not think about envisaging how the other option would be should they consider doing it. You know what? Sometimes, we must undergo some life experiences at a stage in life because once that is done, our psyche about the need for change is more than bound to change. One critical example that comes to mind is the European weather. Certainly, this experience will be better felt and understood in some countries like Norway as against places like Spain. Whilst a fairly nice weather condition prevail all-year-round in the latter, talk of the scenario in the former and the word ‘change’ would hurriedly be on your lips to be spewed out. All the four European seasons are well defined and felt in their highly marked characteristics. As summer gives way to autumn, the broad smiles on the faces of many inhabitants greet you. Conversely, as autumn says goodbye to winter despite the much skiing escapades that many people will undergo, the once lively faces of many will assume opposite description. Then, the call for change starts dripping from the lips of many. The intensity of the cold sometimes makes one’s lips and ears hurt so much to the point that one feels as if those body parts have been cut off with a sharp cutting edge. Also, the once green, broad and lively leaves of trees and grasses which later turned yellowish and smell of love in autumn are nowhere to behold. Everything is dried up. Certainly, these situations will urge you to call for change contrary to others in other places with much nice weather conditions. Talking about change, I remember some of the so called age-old practices in Ghana. I accept tradition not as a religion but as a way of life and that this must be cherished and preserved. Again, I share in the belief that a spice of tradition with ‘relevant modernity or westernisation’ will be a perfect match. Despite my admiration for tradition, some form of our traditional practices cannot stand the test of time. Yes, they can’t! For instance, what’s the building of camps for people who we deem posses witchcraft for? Sometime last year and early part of this month, I watched and read news items on this subject which showed the horrifying, agonising and dehumanising condition in which these supposed witches live. I hate witches. Yes, I do. Since the day I touched this planet called earth, I have been made aware of the attack of witches upon my life but glory to God am still alive and kicking. Even as I write this piece, I still have snippets of misfortunes in my life which people ascribe the machinations of witchcraft to. Certainly, a person like me would abhor such people. However, the witch camps in Ghana pose a lot of mind-numbing questions which necessitate a change in action. For example, why is it that all the people in these camps are women? Does it mean that men do not posses witchcraft? Why is it that almost all these camps are in the northern part of the country? Does it mean that the building of such camps is only a tradition by some tribes in the northern part of the country? What then happens to members of those tribes who posses witchcraft but reside in the southern part of the country? Has anybody sat down to think about the future of the mostly young girls who accompany the supposed witches who are ousted from their places of abode to serve as helps to these alleged witches in the camps? These are some of the reasons why I think we need to change. Folk, wait a minute! Do you agree that there are a lot of power broker politicians, captains of industry, CEOs of multi (national and billion) companies, entertainment superstars and many rich people who are from the north? Have any of their mothers ever been sent to any of these camps? Or is it the case that none of these people’s mothers practise witchcraft? Please, I am not for a moment suggesting that they do. Not at all! But what do you think will happen if one of these influential people in Ghana have his/her mum in any of these unreachable and forgotten parts of the country? Time and again, I have heard the saying that a woman becomes a witch when life begins to take its toll on her; when wrinkles begin to take over her once crème de la crème face; when her identity is now but what the Ewes called “kesekaba”. Is it that we as a people have now accepted this as a well-thought out and scientifically researched finding? If so, why does it only seems to be applied to aged mothers of the poor ones in society? Why not those of the rich ones too? Or is the application to poor aged women one of the conditions under which this ‘research finding’ holds? Shockingly, the number of inmates in these camps is on the surge. It is estimated that not less than 3000 old women and their granddaughters (in most cases) live in these camps. It is always a Christmas time for them should a day go by and they are able to manage with just a piece of food and a cup of water since in most instances they go without food and water. Potable water to them is akin to the possession of the most expensive jewellery. Talk of electricity? They do not know what that is. Sometimes, I tend to think that if these alleged witches are treated in this manner, won’t they be angered and cause more havoc? Witchcraft must not be allowed in human existence. However, we must treat alleged witches and wizards with a sense of our collective humane feeling. The Ministries of Local Government and Rural Development; and Women and Children’s Affairs must take active steps in closing down these camps. Again, influential people from communities where these camps still exist must initiate talks with their people and integrate these alleged witches into our society as well as assist the young girls to get to school. How about the so called human rights groups and other civic societies in the country? I guess the rights groups ain’t telling us that it is only the rights of the most powerful politicians that matter. Also, the unnecessary and uncivilised disturbances that marked the maiden biometric voter’s registration in the country which in most cases have been laid at the footstep of politicians cannot be accepted as our way of doing things. For me, the much frustration and weariness that prospective registrants went through could have been highly minimised. Apart from the fact that breakup of machines can slow the process, the lack of efficiency on the part of the registration officials is a major contributing factor. For example, most prospective registrants claim that the registration officials were not on top of their duties. How do you blame these officials most of whom only saw a computer when they got to Senior High School? Even here, they did not use it since in most instances the few ones around are used for demonstration purposes by instructors and in some cases by the more fortunate ones who have some little knowledge in computing. Certainly, such an official will engage in the “Jack where are you?” style of typing. As a result, much time which would have been used for other productive engagements by these prospective registrants would be wasted in the registration process. While most of our compatriots during their formative years in school learn how to type on computer and play with many other technological equipment, we are busily learning how to write in “My first, second, third Copy Books”! Who knows, we may even be heading towards “My infinite copy books”! So while we glory in our stylish handwritings, our compatriots worship their typing speed and dexterity on the computer. Which is better? Remember, we may not all be artists and calligraphers but we may all have to use the computer at a point in time. Now, they have moved from typing on computer to touching screens of tablets while we still hold on to our number of copy books as we pretend to be introducing our kids in basic schools to computer. Certainly, we need change! Remember, your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it. Lawer Egbenya (laweregbenya@gmail.com).

B-day reflection

The entry into this world had its unique feature associated with it. It has since been a life of mixed feelings. It has been a past about the future. The confidence into the future is one of bettering humanity anchored on the fervent belief that He who has been faithful to me so far will still be faithful till the end.

A NOTE TO A GREAT FRIEND ON HIS WEDDING DAY

Hi boss, in some few hours time, you will hear that sweet symphony of words in your ears: “You may kiss your bride”. This is a moment that I will forever miss in my life. I wish I am around you to do any and everything possible, maybe, including shining your shoe to ensure the success of your wedding. I know you will not want me to do most of the things but at least I will have the honour of seeing how you will turn your tongue as your lips flicks around with her shining lips because my camera will be fixed on you both.

You will be doing that which remains the biggest and greatest point on the agenda of many souls out there. That which remained the dream of many is right before your very eyes. You are not dreaming, bro.. It is a dream fulfilled this day! Cheers!!! I once saw this inscription in an elder cousin’s photo album: when you are looking for a wife, open your eyes wide and when you see one, close your eyes to all others. This, to me, is one of the cardinal principles in building and sustaining any worthy relationship. I know and believe with conviction that you have applied this principle in your search process. Its application, to me, has been excellent for you. And hey! The result? Perfect. Your eyes have found one of the most elegant, pretty, industrious, faithful, virtuous girls a gentleman can find. Boss, congrats, on your choice! I doff my hat. It is now time to close your eyes. The looking expedition is over. You’ve got to close your eyes to all other ladies. That’s a major commandment you can’t play around with at your current level of achievement. This day should and must be the greatest and happiest day in your life because for the other two prominent celebrations in and about your life (birth and death), you virtually don’t know what go on. But hey! You’ve got to be cautious about holding firmly to this commandment. A little negligence of this highly esteemed commandment has the potency to ruin this day and your life for good, bro.. Arise and continue to be counted as one of the greatest dudes in our generation as you are doing this day! Joshua, you remember I always say that you and Roselyn are an example for those of us who are yet to get to your stage. You have proved yourself as such. In some few hours, you will be setting another higher standard. You cannot fail me on this. The price is too high. Love her as you understand the letters of the word LOVE. Honour her, and let the thought and sight of her whether in her absence or presence only reminds you of the vow you will be taking in some few hours. May you live to your marital creed of loving her till death do you both apart. Kabila, as I affectionately call you, have the best of the time as you take the girl of your dream, the love of your life, that girl who you have never stopped talking about to me, that girl who you have never refused to use the opportunity to celebrate her, to the altar. I wish you the very best in your marital life. May the blessings of the Lord Almighty that goes with this highly honoured institution be the portion of you and Sefakor. As we say in GH., take the lid and I will bring the saucepan which to wit is take the lead and I will follow you soonest, big bro! Lawer (laweregbenya@gmail.com).

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN HIM?

It has always been a great joy and an unimaginable ecstasy when one has the opportunity to meet a great and widely celebrated individual. It becomes even more thrilling if the highly celebrated individual is your superstar too. What a great feeling that characterises such moments in a person’s life! Yeah, that was my feeling too when I had that encounter with my superstar. Am sure you will wish for same if you know who I am talking about. Come along!

Speeches by such individuals are unforgettable. Some of these speeches have changed the lives of many millions and in some cases billions worldwide. The greatest revolutions in human existence took place through the power of such speeches from those noble men and women. Your best melodies have been composed by a form of word usage uttered by the lips. Above all, your very existence is a sufficient proof that speech becomes reality for He spoke and you and I came into being.

Standing on the Old Polo Grounds exactly fifty five years ago, the man, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah declared Ghana as an independent country. Dressed in fugu (also called batakari, a dress that is today known as Ghana’s political attire in political cycles after a slight change in its combination with another dress and popularisation by Jerry John Rawlings), the first president of Ghana asserted, “... today, from now on, there is a new Africa in the world, that new Africa is ready to fight his own battle and show that after all the Black man is capable of managing his own affairs”. Certainly, the zealous youth, farmers and fishermen, security service men and women, civil servants, traditional rulers, men and women from all walks of life who throng the grounds greeted this heavily packed statement from the country’s ever finest leader of all times with thunderous applauds and shouts that lasted several minutes.

Having gone back to the United States after witnessing the declaration of the first Black African country as an independent state (except Ethiopia that was not colonised), Martin Luther King Jr., got fired up. He averred that the site of the declaration of the birth of a new nation gave him more hope of a better world and that he then sees that certainly there will come a day when the Black race that has been discriminated against severely, will gain freedom. Certainly, the Freedom March of 1963 which witnessed yet another great speech of all times (“I have a Dream”) gained so much momentum after the 1957 event in Ghana. This undoubtedly translated into reality not just in 1963 but also in 2009 (induction into office) when the first African American became the president of the once highly racist country in the world, the United States of America. That is the power of a speech.

The deeds of this great leader of Ghana has been told over and over again. Unfortunately, we as a people have failed to tap much of that which he has left behind for us after some section of the Ghanaian people have helped in his demise from this earth (yes, they did!). Being full of flesh and blood, he had much negatives but certainly his positives far outweigh the negatives. Let’s leave that for another day. Thanks, for your cooperation.
Comrade, have you been able to meet that superstar of yours the other time you were so anxious and joyous and even tagged it “The last chance”? For me, I did. I met The Man, The Man of the People, The Man who was later recognised as thinking far above and beyond the potentials of his comrades (yes, he did!), The Man who called for a continental unity that was only later to be dabbed by Europe 30 years after his proposal to his people, The Man who the most widely listened to, viewed and read news network in the world – BBC – voted as the greatest African of the Millennium. Yes, Kwame Nkrumah. Yes, I met him not once, not twice but many times. How great it was! Comrade, I wish you did same. Today, there are two of such instances which are so vivid on my mind.

In that memorable speech above, Dr. Nkrumah made us believe that we, the Black people, are capable of managing our own affairs. Unfortunately, we have paid death ears to it since some people have wrongfully but willingly misinterpreted it as he considering us as an island. No, he didn’t. He advocated that we take charge of our own activities before negotiating with others at a comparative and competitive level.

One of the greatest reason for which my homeland, Ghana, is known worldwide is football. For most places on earth today, immediately a Ghanaian tells someone of a different country of his or her identity, the next highly probable thing that that individual will talk about is the exploit of Ghana in football. We have achieved tremendous feats in this arena of human engagement. Congrats, my country men and women. But wait a minute! Our senior national team, the Black Stars, which derives its name, power and strength, from the fact that we are the beacon of the Black people, had won the covetous African trophy on four different occasions; 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. Worldwide, the Satellites of Ghana won the FIFA U-20 trophy in 2009. These are two of the most heroic events in the annals of Ghana football. As destiny will want us believe, on these two fronts, the leaders of Ghana’s football entourage are Ghanaians. Yes, all the coaches in the above mentioned games are Ghanaians. Even during times when we all including our opponents thought we will annex the trophy after those earlier feats as mentioned, we disappointed ourselves and in some cases failed abysmally. There are uncountable number of times but again the most current one is the 2012 AFCON tourney which ended less than a month ago.

In all these instances, we have proved that the man whose soul feverishly craves for Ghana had it right in that powerful and explicit statement on the day of declaring our national birth. We tend to look down on the ability of our people as we ascribe unimaginable and astronomical powers to the potentials of others. We treat our people as if they don’t deserve doing the job they do but consider their colleagues non- Ghanaian (and non-African) as the one to deliver the goods.

I have just watched the annual Independence Day celebration online. We are here today again as we have done every 6th of March remembering our birth as the first son of Africa. We have the opportunity again to correct the mistakes of the years gone by. We have to believe in ourselves and take up the power inherent in that creed that sums up the spirit of a people and aver to our spirits, souls and flesh that yes, we can. Humans need one another but this should be done on the basis of mutual respect and acknowledgment and living the ideals and ideas of all parties involve; not stampeding one party as the other is always the winner due to the presence or absence of melanin, the Black coloured skin pigment.

Fellow Ghanaians (Africans), let the power inherent in that Independence Declaration be shown to the world that we are not an inferior race of people but that all humans need the efforts of one another to make the world a better place.

Comrade, don’t forget, your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it.

Lawer Egbenya
(laweregbenya@gmail.com, laweregbenya.wordpress.com,
modernghana.com/author/l laweregbenya, danielegbenya.blogspot.com).

HISTORY IS ON THE MOVE

Success is so delightful that when you are tagged to achieve it in a worthy task, you tend to feel so pleased and blissful even though you are yet to pay the bill (perform the task). Yeah, the deeds of yesterday and years are great in predicting the happenings of today and tomorrow’s events. That’s the beauty of life but hey it isn’t that simple always. I dare say it is even much difficult to hold unto that cliché in today’s occurrences in an individual’s life not to attempt considering it on a global arena.

It all started when the roll call for the participating nations for the most admirable and splendid sport on the great continent of Africa was made. Names such as those of the Continent’s giants like the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Indomitable Lions of my super hero Samuel Eto’o’s Cameroun could not be heard. Hmmmm! The Continent’s economic super power, South Africa, could not be spared. It became even ironical that the country that has won the prestigious tournament more than any other nation, won it back to back, confirmed the slogan ‘host and win’ not only that but the defending champions prior to the Orange AFCON, 2012 to be held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, the great Pharaohs of Egypt would not be at the tournament. “What a blow to the game”, were the words on the lips of many. Certainly, if the powerhouses of the Continent’s football would not be at the tournament, then there is no need to spend precious moments watching the whole tournament, I guess were the initial thought of many including lovers and pundits of the game.

In this situation, the football pundits had it pretty easy to use their ‘magic’. Hmmm! There they went! The tourney’s pre-favourites are Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire. Sure, you cannot begrudge them for history, we mostly believe, is on the sides of these giants. A third potential winner was Senegal. Again, FIFA rankings for some time now would surely give another impetus to the credibility of the predictions of the pundits. In all these, I shared in their predictions. Yes, I did but I was always of the view that the opposite may happen based on the simple reason that the other thirteen nations most of which were tagged underdogs were the same ones which beat and in fact humiliated the super powers and cut off their journeys to the tourney. With this as the basis, it seems pretty easy for people to soften their stance on the issue of underdogs, but hey they did not. Hmmm! Time will tell.

Sooner than later, the fiesta kicked start on the 21st of January, 2012. Yeah, I remember what Ghana’s key striker, Asamoah Gyan (Baby Jet) said at this time. He said the championship will produce some huge surprises. Not a seer so no one listened to him. So there we go when the first blast of the whistle went indicating the commencement of African’s largest sports event.

It was a great and nice match to be watched but again the big names of the game on the Continent were not playing on that day, so less talk was made about the quality of play. Then followed the second match, the third and hey people were being drawn into the game as the tournament progresses. One sees snippets of information on all social networks and both local and global media networks about the game. Then it turned to be so captivating. Great soccer talents, of the Continent which has produced some of the best world known footballers, were at work again.

The surprises could not be held back but kept happening at each stage of the tournament. The first match of a co-favourite, Ghana, despite winning with a lone goal against a generally perceived underdog, was a tough game for them. Hey! Yeah Zambia scored Senegal and the Senegalese had nothing to show off after the group stages than to pack their bag and baggage and heard towards Dakar, their capital city. What a day that was! But wait a little, more to come. And they did!

Indeed, there were a plethora of surprises as predicted. Despite not doing too well to the satisfaction of most of their supporters, the Black Stars of Ghana managed to reach the semi final. Then, we were hoping to end the thirty years of trophy draught but our hope and joy were dashed when we played our best match at the tournament only to end up losing by a lone goal to the Chipolopolo boys of Zambia. That was a great performance by the pre-tournament’s favourite but they seemed to have ‘enjoyed’ the game to the extent that they had forgotten how they dreaded the Zambians prior to the match. And yes, the Baby Jet missed another penalty kick which had the potential of seeing Ghana to the finals. Come and see! You remember he missed a penalty at the 2010 world cup that if scored would have seen Ghana at the semis? Insults upon insults were poured on him. This was attributed to his inability to return to Ghana with his teammates after they were kicked from the championship but had to be sent back to his club base courtesy a private jet sponsored by his club, Al-Ain of UAE. The woes of the Stars started from there and then only to lose third place to Mali who they beat in the group stage.

The greatest performance itself was shown about 24 hours after that – the grand finale. It was a match that Cote D’Ivoire was highly tipped to win having been a favourite for the trophy and attested to that by winning all their matches throughout the tournament, never conceding a goal at the tournament and with the galaxy of stars they have. Conversely, the tone of the game was set right from its beginning with Zambia showing that she would do everything possible to lift the trophy for the first time. Great skills and talents were displayed on the ball but none was able to score in both regular and extra time. Penalty shoot out which was kicked excellently with each side scoring their first seven kicks in a row. The Chipolopolo boys of Zambia, aka the Copper bullets, finally came out victorious.

Certainly, I cannot forget how the penalty missed by Didier Drogba, the captain of the Ivorian side and the Chelsea top striker, in the second half of the finals. Yes, he missed a glorious opportunity to lift the trophy as he captains the team. A friend of European descent who watched the match told me it has been one of the best final matches he has watched across the whole world ever. What a match! The tournament certainly had lived above expectation. It was one of a class. The less talked about side, the Copper bullets of Zambia were so exceptional throughout the fiesta especially in the final game. Again, the excellent leadership style of their captain, Christopher Katongo, coupled with their sense of team work not forgetting hard work delivered the highly covetous trophy into their hands.

Great achievements today are on the side of the so-called underdogs. The so-called big names and powers of the days and years before cannot claim to be the giants of today again. History is on the move. Your determination and dexterity in your current task should spur you on to make it great today. Success is on your side. Stay focus and hey! I promise you, you will make it. Just like the Zambians who at the commencement of the tournament were only hoping to perform well to the memory of their entire football team (except one, Kalusha Bwalya, who used a different flight) who died along the coast of Gabon on 28th April, 1993 on a national duty, you may not know to what extent you will get to but trust me do your best and you will get there!

Some friends of mine could not held back their shock about how top strikers like Drogba and Gyan missed penalty when it mattered most. This they cautioned football funs to be aware of “Drogyan” virus, the newly discovered football virus that is breaking hearts!

Remember, folk, your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it!

Lawer Egbenya
(laweregbenya@gmail.com, www.laweregbenya.wordpress.com
www.danielegbenya.blogspot.com).

WHO IS THE CURRENT ENEMY?

“Enemies are not God”, so says the inscription on a very popular food joint situated at the taxi rank near the main traffic light around the Ghana National Fire Service station in Ashaiman. I remember the ever inviting aroma that fills the atmosphere around this area. Yeah, that was during my primary school days. Buddy, guess what? It was a great moment for me (and hey! not only I but my friends too!) anytime we were sent to buy food from this joint. It wasn’t just because we may have the opportunity to eat the leftover of this lifetime rice but because we will have the chance to “taste” the aroma of this ‘jorming’ food.

Standing in the midst of his fellow freedom fighters during the All African People’s Conference in 1958, the man, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who has been regarded, though arguably, as wiser than almost all his cohorts, asked his comrades, “Who is the enemy?” As expected, the conference room was almost like a graveyard when this question was asked. I guess the participants were uncertain what their champion was aiming at hence kept quiet. Then the speaker answered his own question: the enemy is imperialism. Thunderous applause and shouts exploded to this answer. I cannot but agree with the legend and all his compatriots that the greatest enemy at that moment was imperialism and colonialism in all its forms.

Today, there hardly goes a discussion about the underdevelopment of Ghana (and Africa at large) without mentioning colonialism and imperialism being the strongest monster that has haunted us and continue to do so. Some few days ago, I had a chat with some Norwegians. During the discussion, two of them also did not hesitate to mention this same monster - colonialism and imperialism – to be responsible for Ghana’s (Africa’s) underdevelopment. Hmmmm!

I absolutely agree that colonialism and imperialism has had immense negative consequences on Ghana and Africa as a whole. It has brought untold hardships and difficult-to-forget events in many spheres of our national life. The demarcation of unimaginable boundaries in some cases during the balkanisation or struggle for Africa is one such example that has had negatively gargantuan effect on our Continent. As much as I acknowledge the negative impacts our association with our colonial masters has had on our national life, I think it is just fair to also say that there has been some excellent positive stuff worthy of commendation. I guess you will agree with me that this relationship has brought unprecedented improvement in the sector of education among other equally important arenas of our collective existence.

Without the peculiar case of South Africa (apartheid system), most part of Africa had independence and thereupon attained republican status for more than four decades ago. For instance, the beacon of hope of south Sahara Africa, Ghana, will in some few weeks celebrate her 55th birthday as an independent nation. That which is worth pondering over more than anything else is how far have we come as an independent state especially understanding and accepting the fact that we had poor and unacceptable standard of living during those era of colonial dependence? This state of mind that we were not doing well under colonial rule alone is more than enough a strength to marshal us into greatness. Think about this.

Certainly, I must admit we have achieved some level of success in some arena of our national life at one point or the other during these years of existence as a free nation. I cannot forget about Ghana being the most democratic country in Africa and well respected across the world in this regard. In doing so, I must emphatically state that despite this achievement, we have not done well with what we have. Yes, we have not. Remember, the motto of the premier hall of the premier varsity in Ghana says “Cui Datum” which is interpreted as ‘to whom much is given, much is deserved’. Again, I remember very well when I challenged my English teacher in JHS about a mark he gave me in an essay exercise. Recognising that I did much in the essay but the mark obtained did not meet my expectation, I approached him for some comments on the mark he awarded me. To my surprise, he also shared the same view as mine that my essay was a splendid one. However, he did not end there. “If any other student has written such an essay, s/he will get more than you had”, he said. Contrary to my initial thought that he dislike me, he explained further that he believes and knows that I have more than that to offer hence he expects me to do more as against another student who may do a similar work but that might be his/her maximum potential. Do you get it? We have achieved certain feats but we can still do more and better.

Will someone convince me beyond any reasonable doubt the effect of colonialism and imperialism on the greedy, negative and retrogressive behaviour of some of our leaders in Ghana or Africa? Which colonial master has taught us to be exhibiting this high level of selfishness and greediness that mark the character of some of our leaders especially the political leaders? I guess the ‘greediness theory’ ought to be published and popularised, maybe by me, come some day! Is it not sheer senselessness to say that the current pretty severe harmattan wind blowing across Ghana is introduced by the president just as saying that colonialism and imperialism is responsible for the corruption that like madness entangles the leadership of our countries in Africa?

The ongoing brawl on the swapping of cocaine by some official(s) in a state institution(s) in Ghana is an issue worth considering. Despite judgement is yet to be delivered on this issue, available information provided by investigations from different state recognised institutions seems to be pointing to one direction. Has colonialism taught our leaders in public offices how to engage in this self defeating and destructive tendencies? Senseless! May be am just displaying my highest level of ignoramus. Could somebody please bail me out? Looking at all the known and unknown politically or otherwise motivated financial scandals that have been visited on Ghana since the departure of the last colonial master from Ghana (the British) till this day, which of them has any of our colonial masters from the Portuguese through to the Dutch to the British being the suspect or culprit? Are they not all perpetuated by Ghanaians whose placentas are buried in the soil of Ghana? God, save us.

Can anyone tell me why we cannot over the years realise that loyalty and allegiance to that which binds us (Ghana and Africa) rather than that which separate us (ethnic group, religion etc) is what we need to hold on to so as to stay in unity and enhance cohesion among us despite the colonial master has put different tribes and other different people together as one? We continue to pay lip service to the statement that unity is strength while all we do before and after making this precious statement is division inseparable. Is colonialism responsible for preventing us from thinking straight? Are our minds under their (colonial masters’) manipulation? Let someone educate me, please!

When our colonial masters and some of our course mates in the faculty of colonisation are vigorously thinking about providing more than the basic amenities of life for their people since these have already been met, we are still in the wilderness of sheer wickedness, cutting-corners, subverting the rules that try to keep us in check and engaging in parochial interests that will line up our pockets with unable-to-mention (too much!) state money. How about the ongoing financial scandal in Ghana? Which of the colonial masters’ action or inaction caused it? Indeed, enemies ain’t God hence cannot do anything to harm you but they become dangerous and life-threatening when you are seen to be your own enemy.

As said earlier, the assertion by Dr. Nkrumah and his comrades during those times that colonialism and imperialism is the enemy is nothing but the absolute truth. However, should you ask any of them today, I believe that even the most dumb one among them at the time will tell you that it is no more the colonial master and the imperialist and all its new forms but ourselves. Yes, ourselves.

I dare say that our inability to come to terms with the reality that we are our own enemies is that greatest menace that is obstructing our development as a people. My country men and women, we are our own enemies. The enemy is not far from you. It is you. Yes, you. Let us accept this fact, arise, think and change our ways of doing things and we will be great. I hope s/he who calls him/herself a leader in Ghana (Africa) is listening.

Your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it!

Lawer Egbenya
laweregbenya@gmail.com
www.laweregbenya.wordpress.com
www.danielegbenya.blogspot.com
www.modernghana.com/author/laweregbenya).

THE SPIRIT OF DEDE

You are adorable. I dare say the beauty’s beauty denotes your true identity. The well laid out eye lashes that span your eyes are so charming. Oh! Yes, you are a mark of elegance. Please, my admirable Ga lady friends, this is not for you. Naa, I will get one for you, ok. Thank you for your understanding.

Both are children of Mr. Kuma. They are both in the same class, in the same school. They eat, study and play together. On the way to church, you are almost always bound to see both of them together. Indeed, they are most often together than they are alone. Obviously, they love each other so much. I guess this reminds you of the old days. Certainly, Mr. Kuma and his two children, Mensah and Dede, come to mind. “Hahahahaaaa, those days”, I guess will be your remark. I vividly remember the time when my classmates and I used to read some particular chapters of the English textbook very well and not others. These were times when we can mention some words in those favourite chapters of ours but failed to mention same words when they reappear in other chapters. How funny! I guess it was some kind of context-specific learning. Hahahaaaaaa!

Yeah, the talk is on. The predictions are being made and in less than a week, 21st January, 2012, the Orange Africa Cup of Nations, 2012 will kick start in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. All the about 24 million ‘coaches’ in Ghana (the whole populace!) have as expected started having their stake on the performance of currently 2nd best FIFA ranked Africa team, the Black Stars of Ghana. The question on the lips of many is how can we end the three decades of trophy drought by the Black Stars? Will it be at this tournament?

Certainly, every Ghanaian will wish for this drought to come to an end. The much-awaited final list of the 23 man squad as has been released by the head coach, Goran Stevanovic, and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is certainly the best we have at the moment. Yes, it is. Remember, they are the same crop of players that has made us the first runner-up team on the continent at the moment. With this, they are definitely a side to be watched at this year’s African football fiesta and a highly tipped side to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament.

Buddy, it does not end there. There is more than that. Our skills and hard work will certainly be brought to the fore but once again, I dare say we are still far from lifting the trophy on 12th February, 2012.

Do you remember Ghana’s quarter final match at the FIFA Youth (U-20) championship in Egypt 2009? Before this match, the captain of the side, Andre Dede Ayew, sustained an injury that many including some of the technical handlers, football analysts and the ever vociferous Ghanaian football supporters argued that he should be benched. But the inspirational ‘capitano’ said once he can stand on his feet and run, he will play his heart out for Ghana. In the said match, he did nothing but to live up to his words. He was exceptional as usual. A high sense of total dedication and commitment was shown. His sense of result-oriented attitude and the provision of the much needed motivation such as through his usual clapping and waving of hands to call on his team mates even in the most difficult of times to do their best on the field of play could not but released the trophy into his hand. As he lifted the trophy signifying the enviable feat he and his colleagues had attained, I remembered the above narrated incidence. I believe with conviction that this sense of patriotism and the desire to die for the country of your birth did the ‘magic’ – winning the much coveted trophy. As a great believer of the school of teamwork, I do not mean to say that he did the job alone but that he provided a great sense of leadership; one with true example that energised all his guys to get the job done. Let every member in the red, gold, green jersey with the ever black star of hope of Africa strive to die for the colours and we will certainly smile to the trophy when it is taken through the principal streets of Accra and maybe through my home village in February! This is my humble submission and I hope someone is listening.

May we all remember to say a prayer for the stars.

Folk, remember your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it.

May God bless the spirit of Dede.
May God bless the Black stars and Ghana football.
May God bless us all.


laweregbenya@gmail.com

CAN WE? (MY NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO GHANA AND GHANAIANS)

It is that time of the year when individuals, groups, organisations and corporate institutions wish for themselves good tidings in the New Year. A time when almost everyone hopes to get the best out of the prospects of the New Year. To me, it is that time of the season when even the greatest believer of pessimism is optimistic.

In the afternoon of that day, the airwaves in Ghana were inundated with what most people have christened the greatest developmental discovery in post-colonial era in Ghana, my Land of birth. I remember very well on that day how those of us who did not have the opportunity to either listen to the radio or watch TV as the management of Kosmos Energy show to His Excellency, the president of the Republic, the newly discovered black gold, oil, in commercial quantities in the shores of Ghana specifically the Jubilee Fields. What a great feeling it was to having realised that we may also very soon be a proud member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This was in June, 2007. Even the worst enemy of Ghana will on this day celebrate with us because much work has been done towards the exploration of oil in commercial quantities since pre-colonial era and especially in the 1980s.

We kept our faith and God being ever faithful to us brought it into great fruition on that fateful day of 15th December, 2010 when the first oil in commercial quantity was drilled in Ghana from the Jubilee Fields.

The implications of immense natural resources in many countries abound for us to see. One crucial example is that of DR Congo whose landmass and quantum of enviable natural resources, arguable though, unparallel non else. But what has become of her people? The resource curse phenomenon, indeed, has been the identification marker of many highly endured nations. We in Ghana have been so much assured by our leaders that ours will not be a curse but a blessing. Since this landmark ceremony of drilling oil in commercial quantities, there has been three liftings of oil from our oil fields by the government of Ghana/Ghana National Petroleum Corporation. The question that comes to mind is how far have we come?

Being an ardent believer of ‘the school of not having to reinvent the wheel to succeed despite not compromising the power of creativity’, I will certainly say that we have so much to learn from the countries that are already making it big in this industry. One cannot in this regard but use the glorious and not only admirable but also exceptionally fantastic case of the best place to live on earth, Norway. Yes, that is how the UN Human Development Index puts it! Norway is the first country on the list of the just released (2011) indicators of human development, according to the UN.

Similar to the case of Ghana, some failed attempts were made in their bid to drill oil with the first major discovery in the summer of 1966 having to dry up. Yes, it got dried up. Later, in 1969, the Ekofisk field was discovered and it was here that that which will turn the hitherto “potato” based economy to one that will be the topmost ranked country of the world in human development in 2011. On 15th June, 1971, official production started on this field. Many other fields started been found almost a year after this. Then they adopted the principle of 50% state participation in any production licence in the country. Again, they knew that they were unskilled in the new business but must take over the industry if they would ever want to make the best out of it. So they employed expatriates who came to start working on the fields but not without the conscious effort of getting the citizens to take over the industry as soonest as possible. What do we hear in Ghana about this today? One cannot forget the usual rhetoric of “local content”. Is it a conscious one just like our heroes in Norway have done or it’s an unconscious one just like our ‘failed seniors’ in Nigeria and other places are doing? Wait a minute! The Norwegians did not keep to this principle. After some few years of using this, it was amended; the country’s parliament will at each moment determines the percentage of the nation’s participation and ownership of fields, pipelines and onshore facilities depending on prevailing conditions. This goes without saying that, with the passage of time, their involvement will increase. Has it? Yes, it has! This is just because they have gotten the needed knowledge in doing so. Why will she not be the best place to live on earth today?

When the first oil was lifted in 1971 in Norway which was 0.4 million standard cubic metre oil equivalents, the export value obtained was 75 million Norwegian kroner (GH¢20.63 million). For Ghana, the first lifting of 995,259 barrels of Jubilee crude from the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah which was carried by the MV Poetic, a Greek flagged vessel, at 22.12 GMT on 9th March, 2011 to the US for Sun International, a subsidiary of Sunoco Inc. brought in about US $110 million. In 2011, the petroleum industry is contributing more than NOK 3 billion (GH¢ 0.83 billion) to the Norwegian economy. This is after 40 years of production. The question for deliberation again is what will we say after 40 years if we should still be in the petroleum business?

Again, one cannot talk about the Norwegian oil without mentioning the “10 oil commandments”. These are highly thought through and strategically, nationally placed, guidelines that regulate this industry in Norway. Just take a look at the first 3 of the “commandments”: National supervision and control must be ensured for all operations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, petroleum discoveries must be exploited in a way which makes Norway as independent as possible of others for its supplies of crude oil and new industry will be developed on the basis of petroleum. Have they developed the new industry they have wished for in these four decades of oil production? An emphatic YES will surely attract three points to this question. Listen to how the Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy puts: “These resources belong to the Norwegian state, and they must benefit the entire Norwegian society. This has been the foundation for how our petroleum has been managed since the 1960s”. What are we doing? Do you still remember the many ‘noises’ that characterised the preparation of the working documents such as the Petroleum Revenue Laws and Regulations for our equivalent industry? When the Norwegians were talking about national interest, we were busily talking about party interest. Yes, we did. While the administration in power says it is doing the right thing, the opposition thinks it must be seen to be opposing, so let the opposing force be sent to work. To me, this is one great area we have failed as a people. We have and are almost always ready to give the highest sense of patriotism and allegiance to our ethnic groups than the country that binds us all. How can we come together if we continue to think along this line? This, again, is in sharp contrast to what our heroes are doing out there. The mere making of noise about one being a patriotic Ghanaian indicates not even the smallest iota of patriotism to Ghana. It must be shown in our attitudes and efforts in wanting to make Ghana better at all times. I will talk about this some other day.

In talking about the black gold, certainly maritime boundary disputes cannot be left out. Here, the Caspian, where Azerbaijan, Iran and Russian are in conflicts, comes to mind. As should be expected, luminaries in the industry using the “theory” of not having to reinvent the wheel should have worked on clearly drawing all our maritime boundaries at the time we had the greatest indication of entering into this industry. It, therefore, was a surprise when Cote D’Ivoire rose up one day to hold claim to part of the oil fields. Oh! Do we need to get ourselves into this? Quickly, efforts were put in place to solve this unwarranted problem again courtesy our retroactive mindset. Pretty unexpectedly, about a fortnight ago, we woke up to the news of our immediate Western neighbours still claiming ownership of many of the fields along that stretch of our maritime boundary including Tullow Oil's Jubilee, Owo Tweneboa and Enyenra discoveries. Why wouldn’t our experts in this field engage their Ivorian counterparts in the signing of international treaties and if need be bring in the UN that will prevent any further disturbance? In this New Year, let the thought of the future of the old days of you the old man and the glorious moments of the youth of Ghana and the dazzling days of the many unborn Ghanaians inspire you who have the mandate of the people to work on solving this crisis awake you. See, the future of all these people and that of your own old days lie in your hand. Arise!

Today, Norway does not only takes pride in being the best place to live on earth but takes pleasure in training the human resource base of many countries in all the continents of the world as well as contributing numerous humanitarian services to many disadvantaged people on the globe among others. It has one of the best scholarship schemes in the world that help students from many places on the globe including Europe, Asia and Africa. In Africa, students from countries such as Ethiopia, Angola, Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana benefit from these scholarship schemes. For some years now, there have been many Ghanaian students who come to study for their graduate and postgraduate programmes in the major universities in Norway on these scholarship schemes. If a country such as this is ready to assist people of all shades, why can’t the leaders of our Land over the years also work toward nothing but the true betterment of the lives of the Ghanaian people?

Norway’s case has been a decision of value creation and a sense of working towards the true improvement of the lives of her people. Do you ever imagine these people also can use the oil revenues for parochial interests? Folk, I tell you, they can.

I do not share in the belief that our oil find will be the panacea to the plethora of challenges we are confronted with as a people. But one thing I know and that is we can make substantial improvement in the life of the Ghanaian if our leaders adopt the right attitude towards the management of our oil find. Again, once we are able to change our ways of doing things especially with regards to mismanagement in this industry, I believe it will have a rippling effect on the other areas of our national life. Certainly, we will be better off as a people in the years ahead.

As the honourable Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy puts it “our stewardship of Norway’s petroleum resources has been a success” in the 2011 edition of Facts: the Norwegian Petroleum Sector, I challenge our leaders this day to strive for the best in this industry so that in the few years to come we will have a better way to tell our story.

As we get to the elections this year, let us prove that it is about Ghana, it is about how the lives of Ghanaians can be made better and certainly it is about what we will leave behind for the next generation and not about who wins. Let the winner win as the will of the people shall reveal and let these things be achieved.

In one voice, I join with the many out there who still believe that Ghana is a place where we can all make it once we all especially our leaders set our minds to the unchangeable truth that it is not about individuals but about Ghana and reaffirm our resolve and say that YES, WE CAN.

Buddy, remember, your thought today can make the world (Ghana) better tomorrow. Wish you the best of the New Year, 2012. May God bless Ghana and make our nation even greater and stronger.

Lawer Egbenya
(edlaw19@gmail.com /www.modernghana.com/author/daniellaweregbenya)