WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN?

For sometime now, I have been consistently inconsistent with my blog. Nana yaw called two weeks ago to inform me that he was an ardent reader of my write-ups. I told him I didn't know about that because he never posted any comments. He said; 'but I still read them' The message simply was, 'you have not been consistent of late' I wanted to know more so I asked if he liked the pieces. "Why would I ask for more if I didn't enjoy them?" He questioned. 'Oh! so I have not been "a very good" writer too? Not good writer in the sense you are thinking now but, one to depend on for constant pieces. My best column in The Mirror was 'LETTER TO DORA' until it became inconsistent. That writer was satiric. I couldn't complete my Saturdays without that newspaper because of that column. My inconsistency reminded me of one message of motivation on radio some morning that read; 'you know yourself better than any other person'. When I heard this, I first took it on the face value and screamed "that's it". Upon second thought, I realised it can not be absolutely true. I tried to examine myself, some friends and family and even some opposers. I sought their views, analysed their actions and concluded that, your contribution to life, positive or negative may dissatisfy or satisfy people depending on where they stand and their mindset. In a space of three and half years, a president has built 1, 756 6-unit classroom blocks, many hospitals, many roads, lots of electrification projects, lots of dormitories and SHS 2 & 3 storey classromm blocks, buffer stock company, Single Spine Salary structure, 57,000 laptops, 3,000,000 school uniforms and over 20,000,000 free exercise books yet some call him "DO LITTLE" It could be you. ON the other hand you may do little and the loud mouthed will exaggerate. Posterity is the best judge. Ask Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He was once outlawed yet he is a hero today. Examine yourself, ask questions, seek answers and leave the conclusions to posterity. Was I a good child? Ask your uncles, aunties, siblings, father, mother, etc and the answers will vary as mine was. Millie thought I wasn't because I didn't share my food as a child. OJ thought I was because anybody could send me anywhere without any leakage of secrets. How do I conclude then? I leave it to posterity. was I a good student? Those who took advantage of you in one way or the other will definitely say you were while those who could not will have a different story. Your performance or non-performance in your examinations can also serve as a yardstick. Your network at school and its impact after school is another measure. Are all your mates shunning you? Are they all or most of them asking of you? Posterity will determine. Am I a good spouse? Your partner/partners (exclusive to other religions that permit polygamy) will tell their versions depending on their extent of benefits. Benefits are not always material. Some may only judge based on attention, love, money, torture, adventure, exposure, luxury, etc. You can say you are or you are not but posterity is the final judge. Are you a good parent? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Some pay GHc 2,000.00 as terminal school fees yet are seen as bad parents. Some are suppose to pay paltry GHc 25.00 which they owe sometimes till the end of the term yet they are very great parents. Where do you fall? Some see their children once a year, cursed daily by the custodian parent, yet they are good parents whilst the custodian parents are the very bad parents. watch your back. Funny Face says; 'watch your self' Are you a good sibling? Do all your siblings giggle any time you get close? Ask them one after the other. They have their own stories but you can only do your best. If you were good at childhood, you ought to be good still else re=organise yourself. We have a journey to make with our siblings. Ask Junior if he calls me. He never does because he claims I insult him too much. When in need, he forgets it, when I call to say hi, he forgets I insult. He is my only brother too. Are you a good worker? A good citizen? This is where everybody will answer in the affirmative but their co-workers will answer in the negative. Misuse of government property, improper/immoral acquisition of government property, over invoicing, under invoicing, auctioning of parked/unused cars, lateness, absenteeism, insertion of ghost names, misapplication of policies etc. shame on all of us. We have now become more partisan than patriotic. Selfish and 'greedy bastards' Whatever you have done or are still doing, ask questions, try to correct yourself. Be sure the after effect will be positive if you can. In your work, relationship, networking, education and establishment, think about tomorrow and do it right.

DOING THE RIGHT THINGS IN GHANA.....

It has now become obvious that doing things the right way in Ghana is far more frustrating than using short cuts. It is even easier to employ fraudulent means to succeed than use orthodox means of doing things. My local Roman Catholic Chapel took close to 33 years to get to its current beautiful state. Some new funky, almost unchristian church however took about 2 years to put up a chapel same size and beauty due to the unorthodox, crook and money extorting methods in the name of miracles. The Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) in its attempt to ease pressure at the Accra office has seeded the examination and renewal of road worthiness certificate to some private companies. Brilliant idea!!! But the implementation is frustrating and opens doors for 'goro boys' to operate more efficiently. My personal experience exposed me to mockery by a police man who later told me his laughter was not at me but at Ghana as a nation. "Masa, I cannot laugh at you. I am laughing at our country. People who do the right things, suffer whilst those who do the wrong things enjoy. I went through what you went through just last week so I understand your frustration" The policeman told me. At the BIVAC examination centre where I visited, the DVLA had posted a payment/rate notice where it was spelt out clearly that my BMW could be examined and certified at GHC 23.00 but I paid GHC 42.00. The car was taken for some so-called examination and brought with a long sheet of paper that read 'FAILED' with the explanation that my hand brakes does not function well. I was asked to go and repair and come back for the certificate. What is the meaning of this? I asked myself. Leaving home that same morning, Tawiah my cousin who was also going to renew the certificate of his old taxi cab, asked me to give him GHC 40.00 and the expired certificate and relax at home but I refused saying it was criminal to do so. He came back that evening with his rickety car well certificated. His brake lights were not working, he didn't have a spare tyre, didn't have a hand brake at all, no side mirrors and a shattered windscreen. I looked at his car, looked again at mine and I said to myself, the policeman was right. People who do the right things are the wrong people. My hand brakes are working perfectly if you ask me. I am still in my frustration thinking how to get this certificate before some police start extorting money from me. I screamed at this policeman who laughed to get me cooled down, I may not be lucky the next time. I am considering corruption and promotion of 'goroism' if this frustration continues. I reflected over recent happenings and I can now understand why people are lambasting H. E. John Evans Atta Mills so much. He is doing what a lot of people are not used to. He did not practice the absolute winner takes all principle where even civil servants who have shown some leaning to some political parties are dismissed when those parties are no longer in power. He professed 'father for all' and practised it. His crime here is that, he has submitted his government, party and state to the opposition to sabotage and leak vital secret information to the opposition for propaganda. That on paper may be the right thing but in practice, it is wrong because the electorate are getting frustrated. His policies are misinterpreted by those who are suppose to interpret them because of their commitment to other political parties. The onus lies on all of us as citizens of Ghana, connected to the opposition or ruling party to show gratitude and patriotism by doing, trying to do and rewarding right. Discourage wrong doing by facilitating right attitude. DVLA should also supervise activities of the private examination companies to ensure that the right things are done to build confidence in customers. This is the only way 'goro boys' can be removed else the current line of operation will only promote 'goroism' and increase accidents on our roads.

'ENEMY' AND/OR 'TRAITOR'; WHO THE CAP FITS.

As a registered, committed and recognized member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), I am tempted to worry about some happenings in the party in recent times. The media in diverse ways have contributed in making or unmaking the ruling party in Ghana. The role of the media though sometimes disturbing is also sometimes soothing depending on which newspaper, radio or television station you are glued to. For instance, if you belong to the NDC and you are faint hearted, you are better of in a Better Ghana not listening to Oman fm, Choice fm or Top Radio. Some have tried to be neutral whilst others have seriously aligned. This is the reason for the name 'RENTED PRESS' In any case, Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that; 'To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to....' This was my strength and it remained so until three days ago when the ever popular, out spoken, charismatic founder of my party; the NDC, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings came out with his speech; 'perceived enemies and traitors' As usual, it was time for people to make capital out of it. The opposition NPP now speaks for the former first family in their desperate attempt to wrestle power from the NDC? I wonder where the Rawlingses would be by now if Nana Akuffo Addo was the president of Ghana. Interesting times indeed as I listened to Gabby Asare Otchere Darko defending prez Rawlings as if he was not the same person who did not want prez Mills to win because as he put, he will prez Rawlings' poodle. Double standard at its peak. Who is the enemy? Who is the traitor? Who is an enemy? who is a traitor? Let me take it from the bottom, A traitor is a person who betrays another, a cause, or any trust or a person who commits treason by betraying his or her country. Who is the traitor? Is the traitor in NDC or NPP? This question may forever remain unanswered. An enemy is a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent. Who is the enemy? Who is the enemy of the Rawlings? I guess in this case, I can suggest some two groups; FONKAR and NPP. Why would I say so? It's because, no committed NDC member or sympathiser hates 'a Rawlings' because most of us joined the party per his charisma. The enemies are those pushing him against the whole party. Interestingly, Professor John Evans Atta Mills can not be any of the above. This is truly a time for free speech, free movement and free exhibition of the real status of the Rawlingses as former first family of this country for nineteen years. This is real good and interesting times for our founder and his family and in fact all his supporters like myself. We were free to either join FONKAR or GAME. This was indeed unprecedented. This freedom could not exist under an imaginary Nana Addo presidency in the NPP. Not too long ago, Nana Akuffo Addo who was not even president; a minister, stripped the former president of his privileges for speaking on an issue; the same thing he is doing freely today. What will Nana Addo do as president to the Rawlingses. Who is Nana Addo? A traitor or an enemy? Mrs. Rawlings was stopped from using a government car to the hospital in the United States in the NPP era. Enemies or traitor? Who gave that order? The enemy or the traitor? Mrs Rawlins never had the opportunity to start operations at the Nsawam cannery until NDC took over. She is no longer in court. Enemy or traitor? Who is the enemy? In the face of all the struggle and insult, prez Mills has never hit back. A calm and focused leader indeed. Do not insult to get me power; he says. This is in the era of all die be die and pestlemania. Who is the enemy? who is the traitor? Ladies and Gentlemen, there has not been one occasion when the sitting president has given any cause for anyone to call him a traitor or an enemy. Neither did the former president refer to anyone as traitor or enemy. From our lay man's definition of an enemy and traitor, we can only say that, who the cap fits, let him wear it. Enjoy your stay under the umbrella in a Better Ghana.

SWEET MOTHER...

A mother or mum/mom is a woman who has 1/ raised a child, 2/ given birth to a child, and/or 3/ supplied the ovum that united with a sperm which grew into a child. In the context of this write-up, a mama cannot be simplified as in 2 and 3. 1 is the most relevant in this case. A mum/mother/mama/mummy/maa, whichever way you put it is a woman who has raised or is raising a child. How sweet or special is/was your mum? Damirifa due to all late sweet mums. I tried asking some friends why they claim their mums are so special. Interestingly, it is not about elephant or umbrella assistance. It is about being there when it matters most. Where as Ebo sees his mother as special for buying him a flashy car, Duncan says so because his mum sold her cloth to raise cash for him to pay for his Nov/Dec examination. My mum is special because she constantly shed tears any time I went wrong. After Form 5, it was her tears that urged me to go to the Teacher Training College. I said that was enough but she needed more. When it was not coming, she cried constantly till I left a menial job for my first degree; now I have a second Degree. Thank you Mama. That was positive but Saviour has a great reason to love his mum. For about 15 years, he was hooked onto alcohol of all kinds. He had so many reasons why he could not substitute alcohol for any other thing. According to him, his mum cried and prayed. For the past 12 years, Saviour has never tasted alcohol. He meets friends and tells them if you want to stay clear off liquor, consult my mum. thank you mum. Some 'mums' are so terrible you cannot believe they are also women. It is sad that some throw their babies into gutters, onto their boy friends, their in-laws and so many other places. These can best be considered as incubators and not mums. Where as some have seen step mums as 'terrorists', there are some special step mums in our society who have played vital roles in raising some mighty men and women in Ghana. They are sweet mothers and we can only wish them happy mothers' day. On this special occasion of celebrating mothers, I dedicate 'sweet mother..' to all mums who have raised children through every means, difficult or easy.I wish them a gargantuan HAPPY SWEET MOTHERS' DAy.

IT APPEARS OVER

Finally, the hullabaloo about the biometric voter registration appears to be over. Today, May 5, 2012 is the official closing date for the exercise that was bedevilled with scattered problems in certain places in the country. Assaults, insults, denials, arrests, imprisonments, hooting, suspicions, dismissals and accidents all in 43days. Some have said that it's all over but from where I stand, it only appears to be over. Why? I say so because of the piles of challenge forms to be defended in all districts across the length and breadth of Ghana. It will not be in the interest of anybody with cotton stuffed at his butt to think that it's over because the District Review Committees are waiting. If you have challenged, get your documents ready to substantiate your claims. If you have been challenged, get your documents ready to defend yourself. It will be interesting between now and the day of exhibition. I witnessed the challenge of a tiny looking 21year old mother of two at a village near my home town and all I did was, laughed. Then I asked myself, how is this man going to proof beyond every reasonable doubt that this 'tiny' mother of two is under age? Personally,I hold the view that it is difficult to tell the age of any person with or without documentary evidence. Hear this; my elder brother is 2 years older than me yet, he is 4 years younger than me on paper. Assuming you used his documented age to give me a lesser age and my dad and mum are able to proof otherwise, what will the results be? We may all live to witness another show down in 'little' Ghana. In 1995, Mr Nyarko challenged the nationality of Ablavidze knowing very well that Isa had gone to Togo to farm a year earlier when he met, befriended and brought Ablavidze his sweet heart to a market centre in Ghana where they lived. This woman could not speak any Ghanaian language except Ewe which also had the Togolese accent. After the registration exercise, they were invited to meet the review committee where Ablavidze submitted a birth certificate and baptismal certificate both of which indicated she was born in Ghana to a Ghanaian father. What stopped Mr Nyarko was the number of times he had to move to and from the EC office. The documents the EC required, he didn't have any. He backed out finally. Ladies and Gentlemen, I can assume that the exercise has just started though it appears over. Election 2012 is getting hotter and better. I can't wait to be part of this free, fair and peaceful election. Surely, Ghana will not die in an all die be die atmosphere of peace.