PURC, ECG, GWC; TARIFF ADJUSTMENT

One organization that has lived up to the task is the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC). It has so far been able to consistently determine whether it is right or wrong depending on the period and economic situation for utilities providers to increase their tariffs or not. In the first two quarters of 2011, it refused to permit any increase in the tariffs of electricity and water citing lack of quality service.

Thankfully, the PURC announced 7% and 6.72% increases in tariffs for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Ghana Water Company (GWC) respectively. The difference of 0.28% may appear little but speaks volumes. I asked if there was any justification for this tariff increase at all. The answer I gave to myself was yes but a NO also came later.

A presenter on Beposo FM said "for once, the ECG deserves a commendation for their consistency in power supply. It is early days yet but we need to praise good work" In my office at North Legon last week, a partner also commended the ECG for good work but right in the middle of the conversation, the lights went off and he said, "These NDC people hate praise. They are just worrying Agya Atta" lol! The YES at first but again that NO followed. With ECG, the yes is obvious. Testify!

Their ascertions made me alert to observe what is happening. It is true; ECG deserves the 7% increment. Power is more relable now than it used to be. Lights do NOT go off as often as they used to and where they go off, they do NOT stay off as long as they used to. Kudos ECG.

In the years past, water supply to my compound house in one of the towns on the Akuapem ridge was consistent though once a week (every Thursday). Now, the inconsistency is so consistent it is better to feel water will not flow when you expect or flow when you don't expect. Water supply is worse now than it used to be. Where my family lives, water is a scarce commodity. All the necessary infrastructure have been put in place but water simply does not flow. The reservoire here can supply the whole of Tapa (Abotoase, Amanya, Amanfrom and all satelite towns). Tapa is in the Biakoye District of the Volta Region of Ghana. Water is not supplied into this giant storage tank.

As if by design, the announcement of the tariff increase coincided with an accute water shortage in Sekondi. Hmmmmmmmmmm, only God knows why. Judging from these happenings alone, I will be right to say that the 6.72% increase on water tariff is NOT worth it but I have travelled wide over the few years and have seen massive infrastructural development in the water sector. This upgrade when completed will improve water supply. Future increases should strictly be based on improved service NOT 'will improve' service.

All the same, the PURC is doing well, more grease to their elbows.

TALKING FOR TALKING SAKE?

Talking involves conversation, saying words, speech delivery or serious subject discussion. What touches my heart most in the Contemporary English Dictionary is the definition of talk as "giving a sensible opinion about things". (Talk sense). Do not say anything if you have nothing to say.

Barima Takyi mensah; May his soul rest in perfect peace!!! My mentor in the 80s punished me anytime I insulted or made irresponsible statements. He however did not forget to praise brilliant statements and actions. During lent, if I was able to fast to 6pm, I was given a full fowl and 2pm for two days, I had a fowl as well. One thing he asked me to learn to do is to shut up if I had nothing 'sensible' to say. "Where you have to talk at all cost, make sure your statement makes you more friends than enemies". He used to say.

Looking at his advice from hind sight, I still see the wisdom in what he told me. At a point, youthful exuberance made me throw some of his pieces of advice to the 'dogs' and paid for it dearly. He taught me to pray every morning before stepping out, I forget and face a bad day; he taught me to abstain from alcohol, I ignored that wise counsel and nearly died. I have no intention to brush his direction to stay mute if I have no idea or my idea will hurt untruthfully.

The art he said is; if you want to make statements that hurt, it should not be immediate. Make the statement alright, but the one it hurts should move away from where the statement was made before feeling the impact. That is the situation where you make a statement for people to clap and 30 minutes later, someone calls to say why did you have to do that to me. This same complainant would have given you a hand shake at the point you made the statement.

It will be sickening for anybody to say, feel or think that for the above quality, I am a coward, reserved or a hypocrite. I am not comfortable if I have to blow my own trumpet. Bring it to me and I will deliver. My most scary moment is when I have to dance because I am not good at it at all. I still dance because I have seen people whose dancing steps are worse than mine. This is not to say that because people talk for the sake of talking, I will follow suit. I will continue to talk from my head and heart.

Biblically, what comes out of one's mouth is an overflow of what is on the mind. No one deserves pardon if not for the use of a human face for making a senseless statement. We all pardon because we all make mistakes. The forgive us our tresspasses prayer and its condition, as we forgive our tresspassers. The major reason for pardoning loose talking.

Have a great day folks and remember before you open your mouth to talk especially, talk sense, make sure the statement has gone through the mill (your brain). Talk is cheap but cheap talk is more expensive than a well thought of talk. Hey guys, forget those loose speeches, hahaha they were the times we tested impact of ignorance. I have also forgiven your loose talk.

A FORTUNATE ACCIDENT

"All things happen for good to them that believe in the Lord" In my 'Thomasing' moments, I never agreed to this biblical quotation. I always felt that "bad" things happen to evil doers and only the 'near righteous' enjoy the blessings of God.

Today, the story is different. As God did to the Apostle Paul (I stand to be corrected), he took me through it the hard way. I hear Paul was almost blinded before he accepted the word of God as the truth. I am not as evil as Paul was (chasing men of God; as the Bible states), My err is in disbelieving that accidents come the way of every man irrespective of religion, tribe or action before the accident.

People have had accidents on the way from church whilst others considered filthy ply thy trade and return home safely. Others were killed while returning from funeral with Nana apego getting killed in his room by a car. I; others as well felt that these things happen to those far from God.

I nearly killed myself and my wife when I stubbornly drove through a closed road. My whole back bumper was destroyed. At first, I blamed myself and complained so much till I got to the shop. The mechanic screamed and said; 'masa, this thing has saved you' How can you talk like that when I have to raise GHc 400.00 to replace something I carelessly destroyed. I said angrily. 'Look masa, you would have burnt in your car because the exhaust pipe has almost melted your fuel tank. Go on your knees and thank God for this accident' Rex the flowing mechanic told me.

It has not happened for the sins of his father nor mother but in order that the Name of God and His Glory will be manifested. Glory be to God. Now and forever. If I am sounding biblical, it is because I have seen, felt and now believe it. That accident was a fortune. A fortunate accident it was. Truly; in all things, give thanks to the Lord. Amen.

I DO NOT ENVY YOU; CHANGE YOUR FORMULA

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who tresspass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. These are all quotes from the Holy Bible. I could still go on and on unend.

You are asking my mission in the Bible this weekend. Simple; the holy book is enough proof that sin has lived, lives and will forever continue to live with human kind. Human being is a mere mortal that is susceptible to sin, especially when it approaches man; temptation it is called. Temptations mostly have a higher success probability than failure. The Bible say tell the Lord "Lead us not into temptation AND deliver us from evil" What we intend to do myself, deliver us from it and do NOT send us close to what will tempt us.

Temptations in any form are attractive. Inspector Baah wishes to be able to resist bribes but the bribes are succulent. Bishop X regrets his actions and wished he did not have to commit such evil or did not have to be led into temptation. Thank God every person has a second chance in life IF he does NOT die in SIN. Onipa w) ade3 nyinaa ho kwan nanso 3nny3 no nyinaa na 3y3 ma no. (Find out what that means). If you eat stone because you have the right to eat what you want, you will lose all your teeth. Keep chewing everything (cola, chew stick, sponge, fruits) till you get to pepper. As3m s3b3.

Opanyin Kwabena Kumah once told me only a foolish fly follows the corpse into the grave. Listen to wise counsel no matter where it is emanating from. Everybody will advice you anytime you embark on a venture. The final decision lies on you. You always have to listen to all pieces of advice, screen them and choose. I choosing, develop the ability to identify the best out of the rest. Its been said every now and then that animals walk in pairs to be able to help each other; correct each other and guide each other.

The greedy mouse falls into a boiling soup. It fought its own image in a bowl of soup and fell into it. You are greedy, you want evrything in life. The fight is not mine. It's the Lord's fight. If you are able to fight, the Lord will not fight for you. The Lord fights for those who can not face their fight. I am unlucky sometimes because in life, I meet greedy people who do not think about others.

This man started it gradually. His speeches were convincing and he presented himself as an angel. Today, he is lingering...... I looked at him and wept. Then Kwame Appiah Michael came to mind. In my article; I looked at it and laughed, Michael said you will look at it and cry. Yes, it is true. I looked at it and cried. This bold and loud man I saw today was a tamed with no freedom. Uselessness I felt it was.

After a while, I smiled and said NO; I still have to laugh and wish my friend well. I need NOT judge my friend for the good book says, "Judge NOT that yee may also be judged" I remember "If you know the right thing and refuse to do it, it's a SIN. If you do NOT correct your brother and he dies in his sin, you will account for his blood. I am fortunately Not going to account for anybody's blood. I did my best yet he did not listen to me.

IT IS A LESSON. The untouchable should watch out and pick some lessons from that 'class' Class over, Lesson learnt? Let's see how it unfolds. A word to the wise is enough.

THE FOOD POISON I PLANTED

I am always careful with the world around me. Why should I be careful with my environment? Simple, so so simple; because those who hailed Christ, called for His crucifixion. In our world; political world; very partisan political world, there are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends.

Depending on our actions and inactions, commissions and omissions, deeds and misdeeds, we are bound to make and lose friends as we grow. Some come around to make us whilst others come to unmake us. Some come around us with very genuine intent whilst other come with negative agendum or agenda it is called. Some come with clean hearts that are corrupted by others or ourselves.

When people plant others around us to destroy us, our actions may transform these people into saving us. Same way, when someone is sent to save us, our actions can transform that angel into satan. Let no man use you negatively because we can achieve our desires without mischief.

A letter written in the year 2000 by a group of party executives or assemblymen they were later refered to points to the fact that Biakoye Constituency will be peaceful and more united if there is rotation in political positions, especially the parliamentary seat. I do NOT know what has changed today that the SAME group of persons are pushing for MONOPOLY.

I only wish the one behind the group then was smart enough to realize that the fire will BURN to the end of the knot no matter how long it takes. The time is now.

LONG LIVE BIAKOYE; LONG LIVE NDC. This was what they wrote and were quick to add; WE SHALL NOT VOTE FOR HIM IF HE STANDS. Who will vote today for him if he comes again? Where I am speaking the truth, I do NOT have to hide behind a group in order to be heard. Diabolism is poison.

This is a case of poisoning a brothers food in order to access the food forgetting that the poison will still be in the food. I have planted poison in the food I am eating; I am a dying man. Tell someone to tell somebody to tell HIM that the poison he put in his predecesor's food is about to kill him.

FARE THEE WELL MY LEARNED FRIEND. It was the poison you planted. Tell my youth to learn NOT to use mischief. Let us meet on the D-day. Good Luck; Senior.

MESURO NSO OOOO, NA MERE B3KA YI OOOO

"I am afraid of what I am about to say ooo" To say or not to say does not arise at all. I saw it with my naked eyes and felt it with my bare skin. Can't I say anything about it? I can, I will say what needs to be said about it and let the chips fall where they may.

District Assemblies are responsible for development projects in their districts and are also responsible for revenue mobilization, health services provision and environmental health inspection. In fact, District Assemblies house the Environmental Health Inspection Team. 'Tankas' I hear some people call them. in some days just gone by, they were the most feared in our villages.

Exposed refuse, stagnant water, unswept home or backyard and weedy environments were grounds for arrest and prosecution. A stinking urinal, bathroom or home could put one behind bars or impose a heavy fine. Today's story appears different may be due to population increase and land scarcity. Insufficient logistics may also be a reason for inadequate inspection.

The above reasons and a few others may be accepted for filth engulfing our homes and streets BUT when a District Assembly environment is seriously questionable, then we have to point out those areas that are under my lens.

This is where the fear starts; I am afraid but I still have to say this. JASIKAN DISTRICT ASSEMBLY; my mother assembly until the seperation into JDA and BDA. Their urinal behind the Health insurance office is appauling. The place stinks and 'produces', houses and supplies flies. The welcome from the flies alone is good to make you forget the feeling to 'pee'. The stench? COLD! The sight of the place; blinding. I did not see a good place of public convenience except what is at GES. The Ghana Education Service structure is well refurbished and their toilet is under 'modernization' from the current pan laterine to KVIP or WC.

Summary, I am putting my eyes down. Call to duty. Honourables of JDA, get your men on their toes to shape up the urinal. Charity begins at home they say. Get a good place of convenience for staff and visitors and maintain the urinal behind the health insurance office.

'SMALL, YOUNG OR STUPID?'

'Prof. J. E. A. Mills has packed his administration with small boys' This was how it all started and it got to some youngmen and then finally it got to 'stupid fool' It is understandable because it is from the opposition. I did not expect anything different. I know the NDC would have done same giving the frustrating circumstance the NPP finds itself.

Internally, the NDC appear to be doing worse. A lot happened before, during and after the Sunyani congress. Remember the Yutong bus driver? Remember the 'non-performer'? All these and more were put out by the NDC and not the opposition. They simply gave some ammunitions to the opposition. Thank God this will work only on some people in some constituencies. The NDC still can correct some of these mistakes by managing information.

On 16-08-2011, nominations window was opened for orphan constituencies (114 out of 230). Very soon, campaigning will start towards the primaries in the 114 constituencies. Some of the strategies coming up are dirty campaigns starting from age, through hearsay to defamation. People will move tooth and nail to win. Throwing cash around, insulting opponents and names calling just to win or maintain their seats.

It has started, they have started, we are aware of their plans to blackmail. Cobweb they try to call it but it simply is curtain because it is hanging out there. We were in school, we were at work and we still are schooling and working. Let them come for we see them coming. I will not be a "Stephen Appiah" who will ask them to come and go into hiding with injury.

Let them come. I am not small, neither young nor stupid. I am NOT a criminal. Let them come with their so called allegations. 2012 NDC primaries is not 'All Die Be Die' but "HEPSSOSA"

"My Almamter, I praise and adour your name, For all the Good things thou hast done for 'me' through the years gone by. *** will win by hook or crook" This is the spirit that has brought me and other HEPSSOSANS this far. Winning is our hall mark no matter the set backs.

We are ready to win once again. We are here with open mind and open hands. Free hearts, free mind and open race for a double double Better Ghana Agenda.

QUEUES FOREVER?

What is it about Ghana and queues? I was born and bred in Tapa Amanya in the Biakoye District (then Jasikan District) some couple of years after the independence of Ghana. In my village, the only time I remember queuing was at school where we fell in files to match to our classrooms. The idea behind being in this 'line' was not to wait for one's turn anywhere but to go through formalities before learning started. A normal RITUAL I call it.

I came to my uncle to Accra for some two terms at Most Holy Heart Preparatory School at Mataheko and the story was different. My cousins and I queued for everything. We queued to buy Gari and Beans, to fetch water, join trotro, to watch 'Osofo Dadzie' and the most annoying, to attend natures call. What didn't we do?

In the early 1980s, the situation got worse because we queued to buy bread (baked from corn flour), soap and milk from the PDC. I am missing that point where we queued for fuel. Kerosene was very scarce and LPG was for the afluent in society. In those days, the queues to the toilets were so long people of 'substance' could soil themselves. On the 10 seater KVIP, the first is always reserved for kids. This allowed the elder's queue to flow and prevent them from soiling themselves. With us at the time (kids), soiling oneself was 'normal'. Some kids around Emit adopted the "sitting entrance" where they sat on windows of uncompleted buildings to attend to nature's call without queues. Even it the "sitting entrance", there were queues later on.

These were before my graduate younger brother was born. He is 26 years and still counting. People still queue to buy waakye at Adabraka, join trotro (troski), to fetch water and to s**t (excuse my language). What is it about queuing? Is it the order or disorder? the calm or confusion? the corruption? the quarrels and fights or what is so special about it that some 30+ years, it is still with us.

Spare me if I do not say what you expect me to. LPG and long queues in Ghana, the least said about it, the better. Ghanaians expect a Ghana without queues or limited. I do NOT know if it is creeping into everybody. Just enter a banking hall today and observe this, once it is left with only one customer, all the tellers get so busy counting their money till they see long queues. What is in queues? Long queues breed corruption. If this is why tellers and gas dealer delay, then their  queues are not worth it. Long live Ghana queues.

WHEN A CHIEF MAKES A MISTAKE....

I heard it and I laughed. I saw it and I laughed. I witnessed it and I laughed but it was not a laughing experience so just as Michael said, I nearly cried but I managed to stay calm and llaughed.

I heard that the chief of my village met with a section of they youth (so called; most of these guys are 45 years and above) to boycott a government decision that had dragged in court for nearly 3 years. I laughed! Not knowing what to do, I approached him for further clarification. This 'noble' chief denied categorically and told me to ignore the 'youth'. What made me curious was a question he asked at the beginning of the conversation. "Are you not aware that the youth will not take part in this election?" I asked him whose instruction it was and why he thought I should know. He quickly switched his style and denied any knowlege of the youth action.

Today, the youth are at his throat pushing for his distoolment because they call him a traitor. He took a different action from what he is said to have decided with the youth and when the youth physically resisted him, they incured the wrath of the police who arrested a section of the youth. I had a fair share of accusations and counter accusations of my role in the arrest of the youth. As a youth in mind, I have good relation with both young and old. I declared my disagreement with the proposed action of the youth but had no hand at all in the arrest of same.

My paramount chief in an earlier conflict within the Biakoye District amongst two traditional areas took a decision to be neutral and go with whoever is declared by the laws of Ghana as the victor. Finally, his sub-chiefs met and stopped him from being part of an inaugural function. He budged because he was threatened with distoolment. Later on, he attended another function but in relation to the issue under discussion. He was not distooled but trust me his inability to attend the inaugural function casts a slur on his control over his people. His bravery and precision are under scrutiny. A blunder for posterity.

Now to Togbe and his statement about NOTHING happening. It is good for any chief to lead the fight for development in his region. It is better when the fight for development is based on issues. Togbe was my mate in the University but I am not as old as Togbe. Development is better late than never. I remember Togbe; he loved The Spartans; he gave us Alomo and Kasapreko anytime we hit the drums. No wonder anytime Spartans saw his car, they hit the drum.

Togbe went to University of Education, Winneba which was started in 5 already existing institutions. UDS was started in the Nyankpala Agric College. Volta University can start in existing structures pending infrastructural development on the proposed site. I respect any chief in Ghana no matter what part of Ghana he is. I suggest any chief walking on a road should watch before he steps. Where Togbe stepped was and still remains slippery. DO NOT GO THAT WAY.

I do not agree to how Stan addressed the issue though he was right in a way. Togbe appears to be NPP bias and this has been in public domain even from campus. If he could not control himself and made statements that did not sound like a neutral chief seeking development for his area but as a politician who is condemning his political opponent. In that case, Stan was right giving it to 'his' chief but he is our chief as Ghanaians and as Voltarians, so Stan should have accorded our chief some 'Amnesty' and not give him that 'poisonous' dose of bashing he gave Togbe. Sorry Togbe, miede kuku gake mega gede politics me az) ooo.

I entreat our chiefs to call us to order and guide us when we are wrong. When they join the political bandwagon, we will smear them. I thank the framers of our constitution for leaving out men of God and Chiefs. These group of people are the 'pure' in society. Leave politics for the 'impure'. A word to the wise is enough.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND/OR DISEMPOWERMENT

What does it mean to empower the youth of a country? I am only asking because I still can not get good answers. Who is a youth? How do we empower them? Please educate me. 48 hours from now, I will put together your views and see if I can make any meaning from it.

Thank you.

I HEARD IT BUT I ONLY LAUGHED

When news went round before 'Sunyani 2011' that the GAME team was going to spend US$ 90million, H. E. Prof. J. E. A. Mills laughed when the question was put to him. A popular afternoon talk show host in Accra will always say "I heard a story this morning and I laughed...."

This is my way of handling detractors. "It is a lesson" so one needs to listen first, laugh and move on. They come with excuses why you can not succeed. No alternative for success. It is funny. Common and most popular excuse why one can not succeed is; "He is not old" OLD? At 16years, they have forgotten a child can give consent to a sexual act;18 years, register and vote in every election and even marry.

At 21 years, the constitution of Ghana permits any citizen of sound mind to go to parliament if his/her constituents so allow. At 40 years, president any citizen of sound mind can vie for and become of Ghanaians so vote to elect him/her. Citizenship, age and sound mind are the basic requirements. Education and finance are added values. Party affiliation in some cases does not matter because independent candidates have won parliamentary seats in the past. Akan and Bekwai constituencies are some examples in recent times.

With the break down above, it will baffle the youth if not frustrate when one of their own is described as 'TOO YOUNG' at 40 years. What will the chances of those well educated youth below 30 years who intend to serve their homeland and themselves? Every Ghanaian is wild awake now irrespective of religion, tribe or level of education. Jesus had a mision and He delivered at an early age and left. Allow the youth to serve Ghana. "Remember your creator in your youth" sayeth the Holy book.

We will give our best to beautiful Ghana. When can we give our best? We can when we are still strong and energetic. In our youth when we need to remember or maker and of course our keeper. All we need is develop teeth then we can also help our motherland. The Akan adage says 'when your mum looks after you to develop teeth; you care for her to lose hers' Mother Ghana has offered us quality education; we have to pay her back with quality service.

No one will stop us from contributing to the growth and development of our country. Maturity is what we pocess as a youth and that is our weapon. We shall not fail our people. The time to serve is now. We may not be 'old' but we are wise and matured to serve. When they say we are NOT OLD, we hear but only laugh.  I heard but only laughed and concentrated on the work aheard. Hear them but do not understand. JUST LAUGH and CONTINUE SERVING MOTHER GHANA. I LOVE GHANA my MOTHERLAND.