A FEW GOOD MEN

It is thrilling, it is captivating and certainly, it is full of suspense and all the best descriptions that characterise a good movie. Buddy, the movie, a few good men, is really nice to watch and I guess having done that, your opinion about it would not differ from mine and that of certain friends who have already done that. Great movie, it is.

There are moments when one really is confronted with that exceedingly relevant question of the 21st century of whether there are a few good men (and by implication a few good women) in the world today. Hmmmmmmmmm! Are they? A seemingly simple question in terms of construction and diction, I guess! But hey! In terms of providing an answer, it is really extremely difficult and complex.

It is the land that has been full of bad news despite there are some moments which call for celebration. It is that part of the world that is almost always in the news for the bad reasons. It is that part of human existence that comes to the world’s attention only for extremely negative and dehumanizing tendencies and unthinkable atrocities. It is that part of human habitation whose whole generation of people in certain parts of it may only hear about peace as an abstract and unreachable situation whose home is not in human existence. It is the land where people easily answers the question of whether there are some few good wo(men) in the world in less than a twinkle of an eye. Yes, it is that land. Ironically, it is the land that looks like the vessel of peace, harmony, love and care – woman. Why did it look like that but yet the inhabitants exhibit opposite behaviours? That is what they have been reduced to just because of the actions of a few wo(men).

The African continent is full of one form of extreme challenge or the other that is characterised by massive loss of lives almost at every moment in time. Can’t she partake in the oasis of peace, harmony, love and care that its geographical representation depicts? As I write, folk, the atrocities being meted out to the children, youth, women and men in Somali is still fresh on my mind. One cannot behold the denigration of human dignity through disease, starvation, massacre and death around us. Many, day-in-day-out, are losing their lives just because of a greedy bastard out there who wants to hold on to power, that power which in its true meaning derives its authority and strength from the masses (people who are been killed) just because he or she believes that he or she is the repository of wisdom and must rule. What an unforgivable mistake! Sometimes, it baffles me when I thought they are also beings called human. How on earth can a human being preside over the killing of his or her fellow human being for no other reason than just because of greediness of heart?

Some few days ago, the good people of Zambia were put to the test, that test that had led to the oozing of immeasurable litres of human blood in some parts of this land. They have to go to the polls to elect their leader. Crucial as it is expected to be courtesy the fact that it is being held in an African country and also the fact that the incumbent president is in the race after several years of being in power, many not excluding my good self nearly experienced astronomical rise in our adrenaline level just because we are afraid of another dozens, hundreds and thousands of God’s own-imagined beings losing their lives again. Then, the day came. Despite some few skirmishes reported, it started and continued, generally, well.

Then it was on air that some fighting broke out at certain parts of the country. “Oh! My God, so it has happened again?” was the question on some lips. The greatest moment came when the incumbent president, Rupiah Banda, who was again hoping to be maintained in power, delivered his conceding speech. Yes, he ‘wilfully’ (because his attitude seems not to be the norm) admits to relinquish power to the president-elect, Michael Sata. At the end of his conceding speech in which he stated that “the people of Zambia have spoken and we must all listen”, the BBC reported that he (the incumbent president) cried. At this point, I felt to cry and had droplets of tears formed on my eyes which are tears of joy. Buddy, there are still a few good men.

Folk, it is all not lost yet. There is much to preserve and live for. Let us continue to make it great in life because we can and we must. Do not forget, your thought today can make the world better tomorrow. Think about it.

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WHO ARE THEY?

So they say; “They are this”, “They are that”, “They are that and that”. Today, I ask again, who are they?

The African is attributed to so many by fellow Africans and non-Africans alike. One that comes to mind readily is that which says that they are people who are fighting with one another. Interestingly, most of these are untrue; yes, they are mostly the figment of their own imaginations. How and why that happens, I am yet to know and promise to tell you when we meet next time.

I had one of the best moments of my lifetime when I arrived at the Vaernes Airport, Trondheim from the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam today. Upon arrival at the said airport, I could not exchange my few USD for some NOK so as to use for boarding a bus to the Trondheim town which was contrary to earlier information I had. Within minutes, an African (Ugandan to be precise) noticed this and inquired if he can be of help. Having being promised by the driver of the said bus not to worry and that that will be dealt with, I turned down his request in a humble manner. Moments after he realised that the friend of mine with me (another Ghanaian) and I are still encountering some difficulty, the gentleman got off the bus he boarded and explicitly asked us to get on board so that he could pay for us after which we could repay him when the money has been exchanged. Hey! The African? Yes, Africa’s African! The show is really yet to unfold.

En route to Moholt student village, we had some talk together. Upon arrival at the said destination, many African colleagues most of whom he was at the airport to meet were exceptional to relate to. Buddy, it was great being with these people. These are people who I just met. We walked together for several minutes during which the freshmen and women including my good self were taken to our various rooms, one after the other. This is just the beginning.

My newly found friends from the Black people’s continent just got some palatable and delicious cross-cultural continental dishes for us; yes, for all of us. We had some nice time together; ate, drank (non alcoholic!) and interacted.

It is refreshing to say at this juncture that the famous ubuntu and enviable African hospitality was at its peak again. Comrade, what a show of a true African identity! My newly found friends from Uganda and Tanzania: Mathias, Moses, Carol, Dalphin, Samuel, Daniel, Flora and the rest, I doff my hat and salute you all for raising high the banner of the African and Africanness. Let us all keep the spirit of togetherness and oneness not only when outside the continent but with one another and the world at all times for this is the greatest responsibility.

Remember, your thought today can make the world better tomorrow.

THE ROAD TO THE WEST OF THE WEST.

Yeah, it is there that the cemetery, both the Christian and non-Christian, is located. It housed the many untapped potentials of the one who would have produced the most unprecedented invention on earth, it is the home of the greatest personality whose thought would have made the world better. It is definitely the abode of that person who the world would have marvelled at should s/he be alive today. Again, it will be the resting place of you who hail from Tefle after your hard life’s work. That is the west of where it all began – Tefle P.C.G. Primary School.

It is highly a nostalgic moment today recapturing how I swept my plot which was situated closed to this same side – the west. During breakfast, we consumed the ever available and cheap-to-buy boiled maize with either coconut or groundnut with some little variations on few occasions. After this, my friends and I get to our classrooms for the rest of the day’s work. The senior colleagues at the time sometimes find their way to the west (cemetery) where they chatted and chatted till they are forced by the sound of the bell to get back to class.
The west when I found myself in JHS was the famous and highly respected Battor RC Hospital. Close to it was the assembly ground where we meet during our afternoon closing periods.

Certainly, the west at the Great SOGASCO housed the bush ‘K’ and the minor outlet to town. Visiting Bush ‘K’ was a great moment, you know. It blessed us with the upgrading of the stomach to its actual and true level. Times when it become pretty difficult for me to get there, it had mercy on me and send me some satisfying gifts through benevolent friends. Bush ‘K’, I thank you.
Memories of the Great Hall with all its superb outlook that depicts the great tower of learning at UG runs through my mind immediately. So, magnificent and visibly adoring it is. That is really great. But hey I cannot forget this too. Climbing to the top (Great Hall) is rather a breathtaking experience hence fearful to tread by almost all students. But who are you not to climb if you have problems with your grade(s)? You better start jumping there now!

This is the moment. This is the time. How many have seen, heard or imagined it? But it is real. It is the moment that I must have another encounter with a west, the west of the West. Yes, that is its name. How did it happen? Nothing much to talk about except to say that that which I have and earnestly hopes to have are all allowed by the Lord God Almighty for His service and the service of mankind. It was that blessed few seconds of a click on a friend’s laptop and encouragement from another friend who was also doing his despite the much reluctance of both the laptop’s owner and myself that got it through. Having entered the details about two times without success, I nearly gave up but hey with the voice of that colleague engineered by God, I tried again and this time, it went through. Yes, get up and on and do it again, just one more time for it might be the moment we have all been waiting for.

After the tussle of getting the ‘lorry’ fare for the journey to the west of the West, it must be made and it is being made. For the first time, I am off to the west of the West. At the entrance of the gate to this well designed and splendid looking vehicle that will carry about 380 passengers, I remembered those moments of walking for about two hours on foot at dawn just to get to school on time. How dramatic? Why this drastic change? How? Yes, I ask why and how? I realised it is the Lord.
It is that moment of sitting with the indigenes of the west of the West not just in one vehicle but on one stretch of a seat. Martin Luther King Jr. and his comrades suffered on the train and buses of Montgomery but today it is possible that a not too long ago smallish boy can come this far. That is how far the human race has come. The kingly treat given on this refined foot cannot escape the information hungry pen of mine. Oh, it is true. Yes, it is true.

Having been on this journey for about eight hours must remind me of walking for about two hours. This is how far the Ghanaian child has come.
It is one of remembrance. It is one worth celebrating. It is one worth meditating on. It is one worthy of …
Several ‘wests’ have I encountered but this is the west of the West, one with a distinct feature. Many are those who have gone there and have made the best out of it; lives have been changed from worse to better and economies of nations have and continue to be transformed by that single experience. That is how far they have come. I cannot also pretend to say that I have not seen many who had not made anything out of it.

This is the moment for the Promising Child of Africa for the World. Will the road to the west of the West be used to make the world a better place to live in or not? With the Lord God on my side, I promise that victory beckons again. Yes, it beckons from all sides of the globe; not just from the west of the West but from north, south, east, central and the west. Yes, humanity can be better off for it is possible.
Folk, remember, your thought today can make the world a better place tomorrow. Think about it.

(written while on the road to the west of the West on Wednesday, 10th August, 2011).

THE DANGER'S DAY

Oh! I hear it is here again. Echoes of the so-called Val’s Day welcome one to this bright Monday morning, the 14th of February, 2011 when s/he either tunes in to any of the electronic media and/or the mere peeping through one’s window to observe what’s going on outside one’s place of sleep.

Many are the stories told about Valentine’s Day briskly nicknamed Val’s Day. I must admit that almost all of such tales I heard are fairly fascinating. One that comes to mind readily is that which purports that the day is named after St. Valentine who lived several years ago. By virtue of kindness associated with his memory, people tend to celebrate this day to show their love for him. There is one too that argues that it came about due to its link with the goddess of love, sex or immorality that existed many years in human history. In fact, many are the stories told about its origin and its significance. For the purpose of this paper, let us leave that for some other day.

Today, in Ghana, the day is marked by the wearing of anything coloured red. Interestingly, many people are so much entangled in this web of Val’s Day celebration that not even their non-human associates are left out on the colour of the day: their cars, pets, in and out door decorations and the list is actually endless.

Apart from the usage of the ever bright, highly eye-catching and sensitive colour that this day has carved for itself, it is also associated with gross sexual impunity. The rate of sexual immorality displayed on this day is like no one’s business. Yeah, it is unimaginable and incomparable to no other day. The reason? The day is about love and love is about sex, hence, by mathematical implication, the day is about sex. Yeah, that is what they say.

To nations, cultures, corporate institutions and any human grouping, symbols which has colour as an integral component, are held in high esteem. Certainly, Ghana is not an exception. In the Ghanaian society, the colour red is linked with danger or an unpleasant, sad or grieve moment. The death of a relative which is by all standards undesirable and a never-wished for event is shown by wearing red. The expression of anger, disgust or unacceptance in the Ghanaian culture is portrayed through the use of the red colour.

From the above meaning of red to the Ghanaian, it becomes if not puzzling then intriguing why on earth this danger alerting symbolic day is marked with such relevance to the extent that the large mouthed at times attempt calling for a holiday. My God!

I am of the fervent opinion that if we hold claim to our assertion that colours and their meanings form a core part of our existence, then let us use this day wisely. Some few years ago, an innovation that brought about the Chocofest concept is a nice one in that direction. But how have we come?

The day of love as it is, I believe with conviction, can be lived better and more fruitful. Let us use this love day to show love to fellow human beings and even nonhumans should the need be bearing in mind that age-old creed that has it that for a better society to be created we must all accept our responsibility in improving the general life of humanity. Please, do someone some good today that s/he cannot pay for and you would have lived the Val’s Day more fruitful and productive. To him or her who has ears, let him or her hear what is being said!

Pal, be alert for the day of danger is here again. Take caution!
Folk, remember that the world appreciates your love today and do something good to someone this day being mindful that your thought today can make the world better tomorrow.

IT'S BEEN LONG TIME COMING

The long winding queues which stretched along the forecourts of the five traditional halls of the Premier varsity in Ghana on that momentous day as the day unfolds with a cool breeze and ushered in the sunny weather when my colleagues and I were beaming with smiles is worth remembering. Yes, Wednesday, August 8, 2006 was that extraordinary day marked on our calendar.

It has been a time of mixed feelings; moments of excitement and ecstasy, times of looming doom and worries clothed with days of uncertainties, times when our hearts inched close to be located at the peak of the tip of our tongue were the descriptions of the days gone by.

Hey, after all the waiting, indeed after all that has happened and even those which were only experienced in the reality of our imaginations, alas! the moment we’ve all been waiting for is here. As I see myself proceed to the dais to be honoured and appreciated (in my mind’s eye since I couldn’t attend the congregation!), my mind traveled that long length of time of 1460 days and could not help but beam with broad smiles. Being part of the 15% of the 1040 undergrad grads with the ultimate and topmost division in the year’s graduation class is quite humbling.

As the VC pronounced us as grads amidst hilarious and heartwarming shouts of hurray followed by the throwing of our caps into the air, that dream cultivated during the days of our primary education, now becomes a reality. To God Be The Glory.

Comrade, because of what we have done and what has been done today, I challenged you to go out and make the world better having as your principal tenet that the world can be made better tomorrow by your positive thought today and that the true essence of your education and existence on earth is to accept your responsibility in the development of humanity.

May God bless us all.

ARE YOU REALLY A BOSS?

Folk, to everything, there is, indeed, an end. I just had a glorious and exhilarating last lecture for my undergraduate education at my country’s premier university, the University of Ghana, Legon.

Guess what? After this hilarious lecture at this monumental and apparently long awaited moment, I got out of the lecture hall only to be confronted by campaign posters of some aspiring student leaders. Oh! My God! Why this today and at this memorable hour? Well, I tried to ignore but as a believer of the “all human beings are political animal ideology”, I got myself trapped.

Anyway, folk, when I was growing up especially during my basic school days, I thought a boss is probably a pot-bellied, grey-haired man whose belt can no longer hold but be adjusted under the protruded belly. Oh! Yes, a female boss is one with a slightly wrinkled face but with a denying thought and a well trimmed grey-hair. Conversely, my stay on the University campus has given me a new “formally accepted” definition of who a boss is. You lie, you don’t know it!
The proponents of this definition of who a boss is are my aspiring student leaders. Yes, they are the authority of this. Isn’t that great? Give it up for them!

“Hi Boss”, “Good morning, Boss” “Hi Sweety” are few of the expressions that characterize the few months before elections on campus. An unsuspecting student may just have several of these expressions coming into collision with him or her. Interestingly, these students including myself (sometimes) felt that we are really counted among the lots. Yes, “my work is been recognized and appreciated” but folk, ibi lie! Come again. One thing that makes this reassuring is that you may not know the intentions of the messenger of this obviously nice expression (since the aspirants are yet to formally declare their intentions of contesting as at this time). Alas, the day comes when the truth behind those expressions is exposed: desirous of serving (in fact leading!) you, the student. One cannot but take a retrospective look at the immediate past when s/he enjoyed those accolades especially “boss” and appreciate the subtle cues being marshaled by these seemingly innocent and harmless ones.

Yeah, another clue to detect the reason behind the bombarding of our identity with fake “borssu” (ie. Boss!) is the sudden change in the “easy-to-go” dress code of some students to the “executive” type. Yes, a person who all of a sudden starts to dress officially sends the signal that “I want to lead you”!

Assuredly, the D-day comes and the potential winners are now actual winners. The seconds after the declaration of the winners, folk, mark the abrupt termination of the big feeling accolade you always want. Yes, the tide has changed and that is the license to them (leaders elect) to do no other thing but to lord over the student body! Period!

Indeed, it has been long awaiting and it has been great to being on campus. See you as I give you more stuffs but whether you are a student or not and you happen to find yourself on this campus, when you are called a boss, don’t be so excited, rather, better check if you are really the boss.