ALL SHALL PASS

You may have been born into a family where you have known no peace. Wipe your tears, descendant of Adam because all shall pass. Death may have taken away your happiness. You may have lost the only person providing your needs. Hold yourself together beloved, all that pain shall fade away. Many are those who contemplate death as the only way out of a bad situation. Just be patient brethren,for the moon moves slowly but by daybreak it crosses the sky. See?, all those shall pass. You may be watching other kids enjoy while you sit wondering why you're poor.Son, that too shall pass. Wondering where to get your next meal? That too shall pass. As you go to school,you may be ridiculed for being academically poor. It may be unbearable but that too shall pass. Failure may dampen your spirit, make you seem useless. Ebezina(cry not),because that will pass. You may be seriously sick,almost dying. Your medical reports may present hopelessness.Don't give in because this too shall pass. You may be crying because you're not married.Pressures from family and friends, making you very very uncomfortable. Worry not, my sister,my brother.That too shall pass. Your son/daughter may be giving you sleepless nights because of their conduct. Just keep the faith mom,that certainly shall pass. Some have no offsprings,they cry to God for mercy everyday.God has told me to tell you that, it shall soon pass. You may be unemployed temporarily. Life may be unbearable because some are working while you're searching.Keep the search dear and never give up,for that status shall soon pass. Today is my birthday,my message to you, you and you.And do you know,even this too shall pass?? The creator has instructed I pass this onto you: never forget how I raised the dead,never forget how I calmed the sea, never forget I walked on the water,never forget I provided food,even in abundance.Know this too,He has plans for everyone. Cheer👆because,all these troubles shall soon pass. awennalaatiirimbey.blogspot.com

Corruption and Matters Arising

I had thought I was the only skeptic,of course not a doomsayer but one who knows the future is bright only if we are serious about it. We have overheard that, the youth represent the future, which is true. We place a lot of value on our offspring,knowing they will one day take after us. Judging from what I observed while in school, I had no choice than to weep for mother Ghana and Africa.Students who paraded themselves as patriots and incorruptible left with no legacies to show for those tags.Their(students) conduct gave me the impression that, we may just be faced with Severe Acute Corruption Syndrome(SACS) in the not too distant future.The youth of hope present no hope no more. But as I have written a piece on my blog(awennalaatiirimbey.blogspot.com), 'Goats beget not sheep', I had identified one influence from our parenting. Literally and naturally, goats cannot birth sheep. So what ever we the youth do, can be placed at the doorsteps of our guardians who so much have problems with our lifestyles.They have managed to nurture a non serious and lazy youth,who give them nightmares with their quick-get-rich-attitude.Yet again, when mother cow is chewing grass,its young ones watch keenly. We were not begotten so, we learned so. Anything learned can always be unlearned. But just how??? A leading African Entrepreneur in an interview on TV3 Ghana,Dr John Christopher Kiribu says, we are always interested in just making cheap money but not build a robust and resilient economy.I guess he is right.The sort of youth we are raising is what is material and pressing because they will act accordingly. Our anti corruption fight starts from somewhere and that is our culture. Our way of life now,is a threat to our future. Professor Lumumba said, a research in Kenya demonstrates that,about 40% of the respondents, saw nothing wrong with corruption. That's pathetic, to say the least but they backed their rather surprising and evil mindsets by pointing out that, it was only wrong when caught.And the only thing one needed to do was to avoid being caught. That is the danger we are faced with. Our anti corruption fight starts from somewhere and that is our culture. Our way of life now, is a threat to our future. That is the danger we are faced with. Hitherto and even today as put by Professor P. Lumumba,in our various communities those who stole/steal are labelled as thieves and punished. They become inelligible to lead and are ostracized at times.One who stole/steals a goat,yam,fowls etc has no place in our communities.In Ghana,you may be lynched to death.That's society expressing its disgust at such lifestyles and using that,as a deterrence. The same crop of human beings would watch and even dignify and to a larger extent,glorify thievery which involves billions. Double standards?? Or stealing can be accepted if done at some level?? If only the same anger from our various communities could be directed at whoever was involved in the thievery,I won't have been wasting my pen and paper.We would have been better. I have witnessed that communal action against deviants in our communities and towns and it is not pleasant. Although it violates our human rights,it seems not a crime. Nation wreckers and as Anas Aremeyaw Anas captioned one of his works, "cereal killers", walk free while the others maybe those who have committed "lesser" crimes are either dead or locked away. Let a crime be a crime. We have seen many who sound loudest in our anti-corruption fight. The truth is however that, not everyone who shouts is genuine. Some just complain about corruption because they lack the same opportunity as others to be corrupt. Watch the various activists and see when they are muted. Be it civil society groups, journalists, politicians and so on. Some always feel they're being cheated by others not because they want that cheating should stop, but because they're just on the other side of the equation. We must careful. Corruption is a threat to our democracy and to our very existence. It needs an urgent cure and intensive care. The judiciary was thought to be the last bastion in our fight. But we have seen some very bad examples which has further dwindled our hopes. In our fight against corruption, the three arms of government need to be reading from the same page. Our efforts must be concerted.No one can win this war individually it takes the political will and willingness of all and sundry to work towards that. We need the wisdom of our elders,we need young people's energy. This war fought alone will be a dead end. The problem needs a lot of caution in its handling. The same systems must clean themselves. I opined sometime that,"no one is so strong enough to single handedly rob an entire nation. When a nation is robbed,it is either a company or crowd that's involved." Therefore,we ought not take this fight jokingly. Corruption,a disease to be cured. Corruption,a must fight menace. Corruption a fight for all. Don't be left out!

BE A REBEL

A life well lived has become secondary or is it tertiary? A people concerned about just their welfare and not anybody else's welfare is the prevailing phenomenon. A world where the dollar is the standard. A world where the only time respect is assured is when you're wealthy. Listen to these words on a song ..."Money is speaking(2), any idea waiting( 2)...(Lyrics from the song Gongo Aso, one Nigerian tune). A world that has swept morals underneath the carpet but expecting the right ways of living. This has created a huge challenge to anyone who tries to do right. I dare you, try doing good or living right for a day and the response will be in varied forms; from loosing friends, a handful of annoying monikers from people, earning "little" financially, being victimised, praised by a handful of disciplined men and so on . It is increasingly becoming difficult to stand for right. Is it not interesting that the preachers of right practise not right? On various platforms, we are always admonished to uphold what's right. Is it not common to hear people mock one who occupies a high position yet "poor"? Is it not common to receive enormous pressure from the same people whom you were sworn in to protect to help do wrong? I have lived for just two decades and something in years but have seen some political appointees/civil servants retire the same way they came in( seen this in Navrongo). Instead of applause, they're constantly ridiculed for returning from the "gold mine" with no gold. Apparently society expecting the single person to have taken as much gold for himself and his family. Albeit the gold, our common property.Their children may not understand why they are not living in luxury like the others. Some wives will nag for the rest of their stay together on planet earth. Pardon me for my gender bias, women. I guess you understand why it is so. This is where it gets complicated and interesting too. What do we seek?? We complain when we are shortchanged yet we shamelessly encourage the rot in the system. It's the hard truth; Ghana's future is bleak and for Ghana to develop...well that most certainly may just be a future impossible occurrence. The country has developed a certain culture that's problematic. The fact that we seem unserious with all the problems engulfing us. We seem to careless if we are to individually benefit but the whole nation suffers. Most Ghanaians by virtue of the position you occupy,

expect a certain lifestyle from you.In the public space, it is somewhat seen as the way things ought to be. And we often hear from us, "we are not saying don't chop oo but just don't do it too much". Pathetic!!! They at times go proverbial, that is everyone feasts at his/her work place.Therefore, hakuna matata.But we need worry because it is retrogressive to say the least. I, with others want a reorientation of the mind, to thinking of a new way of living that takes cognizance of the collective interest. I am searching really hard to get to the root cause of individualism in our country. We were known to love the extended family which promoted, being each others keeper. What went wrong? Our current freedom and goodies we enjoy all came from us. Yes, the struggle of our forefathers who were selfless. The struggle of our forefathers who knew they had to prepare a better Ghana for us. Unto us, resources and the right environment bequeathed. If you cannot make Ghana better, you should not make it worse. All the great men we talk about were rebels. Talk about Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Luther King Jr, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, just to mention but few. They all rebelled against systems that were anti proper growth and development. They refused to cower amidst the unfavorable zeitgeist. They overlooked their interest for the national. Working day and night knowing they could overcome all the evil and rot that had engulfed their people. Some died young but left what for a lifetime, most cannot match. Not with weapons but effectual. They acted lawfully. This rebellion I suggest, is a similar one. An overthrow of not a John Dramani government, but a total overthrow of everything that encumbers our progress. A change mentally, behaviourally and attitudinally. I often say, many desire that Ghana develops but few are committed to this course. Our journey has been bereft of men who value values. Our structure we inhabit is wonky: the prevailing opinion. Change is needed: consensual. Commitment on our part: little and cosmetic or nonexistent. In our quest to move ahead, we need strong men with hearts like that of Arsenal diehards. Immune to disappointments and never stopping no matter what. The problem at hand has always been a human one .Most of us are stealing, so who catches who for who to prosecute? This rebellion like all of its ilk, will not go without stiff opposition. To wit,one has to know what should carry one through. Every rebelling should cause a division of some sort. It should destabilze a system. It should cause fear. Just like Jesus Christ says, "I came to set the earth on fire and how I wish it were already kindled!" (Luke 12: 49). He continues, "Do you suppose that I came to bring peace. No, not peace, but division"(Luke 12: 51). I am therefore inviting you to join me set Ghana on fire, destabilize the system and knock all evil out!! In sum, be a REBEL.!!! ARISE GHANA YOUTH.

WE WERE IN THIS COUNTRY

I have always said,a politician is always a politician and will always do politics. Politics is everywhere, oWE WERE IN THIS COUNTRY I have always said, a politician is always a politician and will always do politics. Politics is everywhere, one cannot do without. You may not want to do mainstream politics but you sure will do politics willy nilly. That said, most utterances by politicians will only mean one thing; we play the same game, we only posses like the moon different phases. That's why I wrote "One Cedi; Same Value" to show politicians are just but identical twins. Doubt me not, for they seek first their interest. If not, like Kojo Yankson of the Joyfm morning show ever quizzed in one of his write-ups, what are the odds that the NDC is always wrong but the NPP is always right?? What are the odds that your party is always right? Are you saying, your party has never erred? Is that possible? Yet, we have as I have said, diehards of parties who will defend childish, shameful and generally several nonsensical positions from their party and its members. Let me ask again, what are the odds...?? Let me just jump into my vexations this morning, as time is fast approaching six. I have listened to many politicians speak on many platforms discussing varied issues. I won't say I have been impressed that much. Often, I hear excuses, accusations and counter accusations, looking for lacunae to justify wrongs and so much nonsense that is nauseating. This is one clause that has struck me, "we were in this country". I know maybe you have heard it too or used it. Its monotony pushed me to look into it critically to see what, was in this dear country of ours that is so topical. It's generally used when one intends to point to his opponent a similar incident that occurred at a different time. Often, an attempt to justify wrongdoing in the present or equalize. I have heard Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr,Afenyo Markin,Felix Ofosu Kwakye,Okudjeto Ablakwa, Mike Oquaye Jnr and the list continues, all use that. I must say, that is my vexation! Let me beg to ask using the same clause, we know we were all in this country. But when we were all in this country and what you seek to refer to as a source of justification happened, was it PROPER?? What was your response then? I thought we were talking about propriety. I thought we were all interested in what was right. When something happens, instead of looking for what's right and proper, we go digging archives at least to have a point that we are not alone. That's when you hear," we were in this country''. When the doctors went on strike sometime back, many condemned it. Others too made political capital out of that. Many wrote, many spoke. Dr Charles Wereko Brobbey wrote condemning it and the illegality in it. He made us aware in that article, why he condemned the strike and why he condemned the one that was led by Dr Omane Boama and some junior doctors during the NPP regime too. He sure was not doing politics. Manasseh' Azure Awuni of Joyfm rather decided to do something else. He captioned his piece, why I support the doctors but not government. I am not so sure of the words but that's what he meant to say. That alone made me not read it. To me, he only spoke as someone else and not the investigator he was/is.Dr Wereko Brobbey a known politician did as good, he educated us. Manasseh on the other hand wanted to attack the government for their failed promises to the doctors a number of times. So to him, it was necessary to support the doctors. Interesting! I am sure he was just repeating " we were in this country " a number of times, in different words though just to remind readers of all the ills of yore of the government.. I believe that was not helpful. Some NDC members were also singing that chorus, yes during your regime too(apparently telling the opposition), doctors too went on strike. Therefore, this should not be seen as a problem?? I asked. It has become a chorus sung by most politicians and others.Tell NPP the infightings in their party are not a healthy sign and they would point to the fact that, every political party has gone through it. Talk about Afoko and the NPP and they will tell you Kofi Adams in the NDC also had problems. Talk to NDC about the economy and they will let you know under the NPP regime things that happened. Is it always an attempt to allow the wrong to continue or to exonerate ourselves from blame. We cannot continue on this tangent if indeed we need progress. Let us be bold to call a spade a spade. We have many examples but the bad we must always condemn. When something happens,let us reflect and come out with answers regarding the correctness of the act. That's the way to go. Just ask this simple question, when Kennedy Adjepong said what he said. Was it proper?? Don't be an Otiko Djaba who still wants a probe. If we were to probe everything by Kennedy Adjepong, he would probably still be in court convincing judges as to why he should not be jailed. We were all in this country, so let's just be honest and real. 9 hrs · Navrongo · Privacy: Publicne cannot do without. You may not want to do mainstream politics but you sure will do politics willy nilly. That said, most utterances by politicians will only mean one thing; we play the same game, we only posses like the moon different phases. That's why I wrote "One Cedi; Same Value" to show politicians are just but identical twins. Doubt me not, for they seek first their interest. If not, like Kojo Yankson of the Joyfm morning show ever quizzed in one of his write-ups, what are the odds that the NDC is always wrong but the NPP is always right?? What are the odds that your party is always right? Are you saying, your party has never erred? Is that possible? Yet, we have as I have said, diehards of parties who will defend childish, shameful and generally several nonsensical positions from their party and its members. Let me ask again, what are the odds...?? Let me just jump into my vexations this morning, as time is fast approaching six. I have listened to many politicians speak on many platforms discussing varied issues. I won't say I have been impressed that much. Often, I hear excuses, accusations and counter accusations, looking for lacunae to justify wrongs and so much nonsense that is nauseating. This is one clause that has struck me, "we were in this country". I know maybe you have heard it too or used it. Its monotony pushed me to look into it critically to see what, was in this dear country of ours that is so topical. It's generally used when one intends to point to his opponent a similar incident that occurred at a different time. Often, an attempt to justify wrongdoing in the present or equalize. I have heard Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr, Afenyo Markin, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, Okudjeto Ablakwa, Mike Oquaye Jnr and the list continues, all use that. I must say, that is my vexation! Let me beg to ask using the same clause, we know we were all in this country. But when we were all in this country and what you seek to refer to as a source of justification happened, was it PROPER?? What was your response then? I thought we were talking about propriety. I thought we were all interested in what was right. When something happens, instead of looking for what's right and proper, we go digging archives at least to have a point that we are not alone. That's when you hear," we were in this country''. When the doctors went on strike sometime back, many condemned it. Others too made political capital out of that. Many wrote, many spoke. Dr Charles Wereko Brobbey wrote condemning it and the illegality in it. He made us aware in that article, why he condemned the strike and why he condemned the one that was led by Dr Omane Boama and some junior doctors during the NPP regime too. He sure was not doing politics. Manasseh' Azure Awuni of Joyfm rather decided to do something else. He captioned his piece, why I support the doctors but not government. I am not so sure of the words but that's what he meant to say. That alone made me not read it. To me, he only spoke as someone else and not the investigator he was/is. Dr Wereko Brobbey a known politician did as good, he educated us. Manasseh on the other hand wanted to attack the government for their failed promises to the doctors a number of times. So to him, it was necessary to support the doctors. Interesting! I am sure he was just repeating " we were in this country " a number of times, in different words though just to remind readers of all the ills of yore of the government.. I believe that was not helpful. Some NDC members were also singing that chorus, yes during your regime too(apparently telling the opposition), doctors too went on strike. Therefore, this should not be seen as a problem?? I asked. It has become a chorus sung by most politicians and others. Tell NPP the infightings in their party are not a healthy sign and they would point to the fact that, every political party has gone through it. Talk about Afoko and the NPP and they will tell you Kofi Adams in the NDC also had problems. Talk to NDC about the economy and they will let you know under the NPP regime things that happened. Is it always an attempt to allow the wrong to continue or to exonerate ourselves from blame. We cannot continue on this tangent if indeed we need progress. Let us be bold to call a spade a spade. We have many examples but the bad we must always condemn. When something happens, let us reflect and come out with answers regarding the correctness of the act. That's the way to go. Just ask this simple question, when Kennedy Adjepong said what he said. Was it proper?? Don't be an Otiko Djaba who still wants a probe. If we were to probe everything by Kennedy Adjepong, he would probably still be in court convincing judges as to why he should not be jailed. We were all in this country, so let's just be honest and real.

ONE CEDI: SAME VALUE

And they shouted, thieves, thieves, thieves!!! For we were being robbed.

And they shouted the second time, liars, liars, liars!! For we were being told untruths.

And they went the third time, oppressors, oppressors, oppressors!! For we were being oppressed.

And they further shouted, confused, confused, and confused!!! For we were being led without a fore begotten plan.

And they even shouted all the louder, crucify them, crucify them, crucify them!! For they, by their deeds deserved nothing but torture on the cross and condemnation.

And yes, we fell for all the supposed vigilance, care, love and exposes and even thanked them.

We gave them our all, for solace and saviours we found.

Unbeknownst to us, their true character was shrouded in secrecy.

They loved not us but only appeared salvific and trustworthy just so we could turn the tide in their favour for their own prosperity.

They shouted because, it was not they who were in charge, who lied, who robbed, who oppressed.

The love they showed was deceptive, at best a large scheme or ploy to woo us to their side.

We thought we were one in thought. We thought it was sympathy they offered.

It turned out we rather were sympathetic to their state because we supported them sincerely and wholeheartedly. But they in the cruelest of ironies, showed no mercy.

They showed traits of the Orwellian nonsense we all bemoaned and cursed. The preachers themselves practiced not, “the proper” they preached.

They even worsened our tattered plight.

They widened the communication, social, political, economic and environmental hiatus; a system we all loathed.

It thus appear, they wept with us because someone else was playing the role of the devil.

This is what mine eyes have seen, it’s only appropriate if it is us even if it’s apparently wrong.

In a play or movie, whether it is MAJID who gets the nod to play the role or DJUMELO, the script never changes. What is different however, is their physical appearance. Nonetheless, MAJID will be chosen any day over DJUMELO and the vice versa by some people. Both have their supporters. No matter how absurd reasons may be, everyone has his choice.

In this our pathetic political panorama, I therefore posit that, “Politicians are like the 1 cedi coin, always made of the same material but like the moon, possess different faces”.  No matter which side of the coin you appreciate love or support, the value changes not.

Fact; a Politician is always a Politician and will always do Politics. His every other move is underpinned by politics. He acts as and when it is convenient or politically beneficial.

One cedi worth of goods, is what you will always get: same value every time.

 Bonjour Mes Chers Amis….

THE USA AND GAYISM

I must say I am not really surprised America has done what it has done. America as we know rejected God not today and one of their presidents identified that a long time ago. This is an excerpt from Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States of America's proclamation for a national fast day issued, 30th March, 1863;
"…....We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.
But we have FORGOTTEN GOD. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.
Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!
It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness...I am clear in my mind that this is very familiar to everyone too, 'In God We Trust'. It's on the dollar bill. I think with time they will suggest, it's taken off. America might have used Christian values and principles to stand tall earlier in their history but quickly dumped the very principles that helped them. Or was it a deception?? Dostoevsky once wrote that, "If God does not exist, everything is permissible". We believe God is the standard and thus our everything points to Him. Some do not. Thus, if God does not exist in your life, what else can't you do? Some Americans don't support it. But the the supreme law of the land has spoken. Most of those who support that idea, like the CEO of Facebook think it's progress. Yes, America is growing! Others too like me would see it evil. It largely depends on where you are coming from. Though the act is unnatural. I am Christian and on the Lord's side, others are not. Well, as John Lennox rightly noted, nonsense remains nonsense even when spoken by famous scientists" . Similarly, gay rights have always and will always be nonsense to me even when accepted by famous people, powerful nations amongst others.
Everything we see and hear was written down as things that would come. It's clear in my Bible. Though all have sinned but it's sad. It's only the Lord who is righteous: fact. Jesus has always been the way and will always be. Jesus showed the way when he freed the adulterous woman from the hands of her accusers. He did not talk much, He only said, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. He summed up the role of a christian: love your brother no matter what. He was in fact saying, my way is love not hate. You equally are not well, you equally need a physician. Some fornicated, others aborted, others have had extramarital affairs etc. Yet we are the same who condemn our brothers because they are gay. We can hate the act not the people. For, none was created inherently evil. We don't destroy our own, we help one another to unlearn the evil things we learned. We who claim we are followers of Christ are more disappointing. The deception and hypocrisy is too much. We lack the locus and worse of it is that, we approach certain things humanly not Biblically. As Christians, we are supposed to posses certain qualities. Every christian is a change element and thus, the world ought. to have transformed. But we usually are the worse culprits of heinous crimes. How then do we change the world? Some Christians even endorse mob actions because they believe that's the best way to deter others from  repeating the same crime. If you're a follower of Christ , at every point in your life you always think God first. That's a Christians reference point and you must never allow the world to confuse or convince you. Just know who you are or supposed to be; Christ like. To know our saviour is through you. Some wouldn't have time to read the Bible and thus, your life speaks volumes. It's you they read because you are a living witness to God. Consider the role of an ambassador. He/She is sent to a foreign country  to be a rep to his country . He/She becomes someone who can either do his country good or bad based on the way he/she conducts himself. A Christian is an ambassador of God. Your conduct is key to determining who you're and what you stand for. Let's not pretend but change ourselves first. We contributed to our problems.  Albeit being dirty doesn't make void a comment you make related to dirt.
One priest in KNUST once told me that, none of our sins shocks God. However, to man it might always be a shockprise. But today I want you to know this, expect anything from everybody. Man is man.
In sum, the USA can be arguably the most powerful nation and are advanced in so many respects. But hear this from a Christian; You may know a lot of things,but if you don't know God personally, you're missing the first reason you were created"--Rick Warren
God bless y'all.

SALVATION IS HERE

 Ruined is our world we live in. My country suffering, probably more. Utterances by its people leaving much to be desired.The same people mourn and wail in agony.They search for redemption. They find not. Probably wishing another divinely sent saviour arose. And yes, it only makes sense in their dreams.
They point fingers at the few at the helm of affairs. They say, those people are responsible for all the evil that has befallen them.Their everyday frustration is that, they made wrong choices. Yes, they're right, wrong choices they did make. More capable and powerful my people are. Great and strong their nation. Yet, just a single man torments them. A group torments them. While they look on helplessly. They look to the skies and expect answers, none comes. They keep on pointing fingers at everyone except they, the 'chaste' ones. The whole world should see how these selected few behave. They are using our financial commitments to further impoverish us. They are evil. "We will kick them out the next time"."We will bring the others",they say. Hoping for redemption. They again say after their success," had we known we would have kept what we had". Worst is our condition! A cycle, vicious they're in.It may just extend for centuries. The same people are difficult to trust though.They play the ostrich almost all the time.The few who lead the campaigns for a change are only on a personal agenda.They soon get exposed. We cry foul.They make their gains, others we trust lead again.Results photocopied! My people always think it is others, but they engineer and encourage their own suffering.They forget that they wield enormous power to change their destinies. The few who misbehave are just few who depend on the many(us) for life. Yet, the many lack what they freely give out. They cannot even take it back. "From whence cometh our salvation", they ask? Whom shall we expect to save us from this rot? Here we are, here we are. We are to save us and we are here. Look not far,our messiahs are here, our salvation is here.

A CHANCE GIVEN, EXPERIENCE ATTAINED!

I have often wondered what people actually mean when they talk about experience. Is it the number of times one has been exposed to a particular phenomenon? Is it the knowledge thus gathered?? Is it the skills one develops as a result of the monotony? Or it's something else? I leave that to you my friends to help me comprehend. But I think all are applicable in this case. This animal called experience has been a serious thing mostly considered before one is employed in almost every field. Footballers, Bankers, Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers etc are all familiar with this thing. It's often said that, experience is the best teacher or experience teaches best. Thus, the fact that one has spent some quality time in a particular field or has been exposed to same things all the time develops certain skills, abilities etc that a novice might lack. That I surmise is fairly logical a conclusion. Indeed, adherents of football would notice this in most of the near- to-retire players. Watch Pirlo, Xavi, Lampard  and so on. They actually learned the game as they grew. This is not based on the fact that, they are old in the game but have really acquired more accurate ways, better judgements and so on in the game. They do certain things with ease and do the unimaginable at times. They certainly are experienced. Some too have been in the game for quite sometime now. But have not improved after their first call up. We often vilify them for certain mistakes which we consider as for the newcomers/inexperienced ones. To some, we can say, the older the better but to others, the older the worst. Let's understand age can just be but a number. What again is experience? Give some people just a single chance and you would see it's not all about experience. Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini aka  el mudo - the mute one, a debutant in el classico, scored a hatrick . He was only 19 years and that was his first el classico. We had experienced players like Iker Casillas, Ronaldinho, Sergio Ramous, Eto, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol , Deco, Ronaldo, Cannavaro, Ruu Van Nistelroy, Roberto Carlos, Raul,  Robinho, Emilson, David Beckham etc. Barcalona was three goals down before Messi came in. At the end, he got a draw for his team making history. That was a debutant! We have young players too like Pogba, Hazard, DeGea, Courtois  etc who are making it big!  People have been denied opportunities because they lacked experience. Albeit, like Messi they could have performed excellently well. He was just given a chance and yelp, the four time  world footballer of the year winner began his superb career. Please help us get the experience you need by employing us. We have to start from somewhere. This is what I have  always opined, "experience is very essential, experience counts but if you know, you know".
You spending 10 years in a particular environment doesn't mean you are an expert. Some use their age in a particular field, to boast. You were born before me, you saw before me, you heard before me, you ate before me and so on. That is a fact and  I will always respect it as it is. "You have done it all, you have seen it all but you certainly do not know it all". Just get that. Let's endeavour to give everybody at least ,the benefit of the doubt  and give everybody a chance. More Messi's can emerge.

THE MONKEY CLAIMING ONENESS WITH THE GORILLA?

There was a fight, and yes they 'won'. A people were treated unjustly by a system that preached justice and equality. The same system spoke and documented copiously about the need to respect the rights and liberties of all and sundry. Homo sapiens first! That system even now, protects some creatures lower on the evolutionary ladder. I dare say, they care more for the second class creatures. And won't hesitate to sue you in the event of an 'unjust' treatment of the second class creatures. Interesting, isn't it? For years the darker pigment suffered all forms of abuses. From restrictions of various forms, physical abuses, etc. The darker pigment suffered!! The world witnessed a phenomenon which one would wish never was repeated. Even after the activists secured redemption through various channels and the final one and most effective being signatories to a properly and well thought through document, here we are. There seem to be a never ending trend to this humongous madness and barbarism. Though they claim to be a model to the world.
Yes, Dr King Jr had a dream, that the content of one's character should be the basis for judgement not just the mere sight of a darker complexion at least some day. Today, we hear stories that make us think we have not developed. The same society making life unbearable for the darker complexion. I believe everyone who goes against the law must be dealt with regardless. So the criminals should all face the music. The darker pigment haven't done themselves any good because they encourage the youth not to care and just survive no matter what. Even in music we see their lifestyles; terrible. They talk guns, sex, drugs, violence. They always send the wrong signal about the content of their characters unknowingly. This makes  the authorities extra careful and vigilant on their movements. A system may not be fair but don't give them any reason to suspect you or doubt  or mistreat you. You're in the minority and won't survive in the case of violence . Leave them with no other choice than to respect, support, listen to you and above all love you.  Dr King did it! Madiba did it!
The mere signing of papers should not have been the end to this backwardness. It should have gone with a practical one. To wit, a conscious effort to training responsible blacks who could influence policies and decision-making. The fight should have continued in a different mode. They relaxed thinking everything had been conquered. Hear Dr King Jr speak about what the signatures did and could not do,  “Morality cannot be legislated but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless.” The kind of lifestyle we expect to enjoy is dependent on what we are willing to sacrifice. This doesn't in anyway justify the killings of the darker complexions by law enforcers but a call to duty. Just maybe a reorientation of the darker pigment could help. A move away from gangster stuff, just maybe healthy. The deaths of the police officers possibly a reprisal attack, further broke my heart because Dr King Jr again opined that, “When you are right, you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative.”
It is true that black lives matter as well as other lives. It hurts but we shall overcome someday. It may just be the case that they really never loved us. It was pretentious! I am beginning to suspect hypocrisy in the way things have turned. I hazard though but it may just be the case.They simply agreed for a deal to soothe the hearts of many. But had disguised motives on how to carry out the same agenda unbeknownst to the other party. I see a simiar trend in colonisation. They allowed us to politically  liberate ourselves but knew how to re-enslave us. We are no longer directly ruled yet ruled. Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first black leader prophesied! It is a similar tactic adopted to punish black Americans in the states.
The American situation took me to the works of the 1986 Nobel Prize laureate and poet, Wole Soyinka from the Yoruba land in Nigeria. A perfect proverb for the situation in America. "The monkey and gorilla may claim oneness but the monkey is Monkey and the gorilla, Gorilla"
Is it the case of two groups claiming to be one yet know they're not??. Or Does the butterfly think himself a bird?

LIMITED YOU ARE.

         
Many are they who claim to be kings, men of power, men of influence, men with skill, experts etc.
They seem too powerful to be lacking or be caught in difficulty.  You may be tempted to believe these persons are deities and ought to be worshipped. You may also be tempted to believe these persons cannot be touched or cannot fail.
They themselves usually have this conviction; we are superior beings. We are the best!
Reality however, strikes we all including those men when their powers fail at some point. They begin to accept the human in themselves. We are mortal after all,  they say.
It has always been and will always be, man is limited!
Messi has missed glorious opportunities on the pitch, so has Cr7.
Djokovic has lost matches so has Serena Williams.
High ranking politicians have been indicted, some have been charged.
Hitherto, they all thought they were too good or too powerful.
Some forgot they were human and limited. Maybe, some are yet to fail; they still brag anyway.
Just know thyself brethren: you are not God, you are a mere mortal who is fallible. Act in moderation!
The Ancient Greek maxim Gnothi Seauton that is know thyself, should guide us all.

OF A PEOPLE ASKEW

The world is currently under attack by its own people, against its own people for reasons I fathom not. The world continues to experience suffering, pain, agony and death in the hands of its own people. They say, the war that is holy they fight. They say it is noble to subject others to cruelty. To see a mother, son, daughter, uncle, aunt, and father cry is a happy “business” approved by the gentleman upstairs. That’s what they strongly believe. There is so much fear in the environment because they seem unpredictable. They terrorize both black and white, rich and poor. They pity not. They seem unstoppable because they are always undercover and penetrate even the most advanced places. My little knowledge of Baba upstairs, certainly tells me, these people of the world are working for themselves not God. Someone somewhere is on an egoistic mission. That person is filthily rich and as we are aware, money is power and thus answereth all problems.  The man upstairs frowns at that; I am very sure.
 I see a bunch of Sauls persecuting innocent souls. I see a people, who comprehend not whom they claim they serve. I am positive they need an encounter like Saul’s to be enlightened, to be changed and rechristened and to be informed on propriety and what is holy. What is holy about this war, when the peace of God that surpasses all understanding is deadened?  History is replete with examples of how change can be done without a bow and an arrow. Let them ask those, who unilaterally invaded the Middle East with weaponry, let them ask those who invaded Libya, let them ask the two superpowers who still habour misgivings about each other. In the world we live in, it is not your way but our way that reigns. They thought it was their way and nobody else’s and thus, failed woefully. I see a similar attitude displayed by “Jihadists” in our modern times. Again, be informed those societies they claimed they were helping correct wrongs have rather those wrongs been escalated to the nonsense degree and seem unstoppable. Where are the benefits?? Has that approach helped??
But let them ask and read about a man like Mahatma Gandhi who wore no pants yet the whole nation rallied behind him. Let them know Martin Luther King Jr. who dreamed a dream, walked with no gun, yet with his words and charisma he liberated a black people terrorized by a white people. Let them also know of man like Nelson Mandela who stood for his people with a peaceful approach. Let them know, he was jailed but freedom came and we celebrate him. Let them know of a man like Nkrumah, who used no army but rescued his people. Let them know, these people seemed powerless at the beginning but through the right channel they completed their assignments unscathed. Let them know, the world talks about them for they faced the oppressors not with bombs, not with guns, not with armies, not with hate speech but a sincere heart. We are beneficiaries of their struggle.
If the acts of terrorists are a Roland for and Oliver, it is a shame. If it is a personal vendetta, it is a shame. Tell them no reason justifies these inhumane acts. This is no service to God, this is rebellion!! All of a sudden, the all-powerful needs saviors in mere, weak and sinful mortals? You who massacre your ilk labelled, “sanctification” have to examined. Do they feel a pang of conscience??  The world has witnessed the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination and religion, be christened the “will of God”. What is the will of God?? The whole idea of fighting the Lord’s course is challenging to me. I simply cannot process that and cannot follow. When you have poorly understood the divine; ideas are distorted, character is chaotic and one lives a lie. This incomprehension is detrimental to humanity in its entirety.   This whole issue about fighting God’s battles is a whole riddle wrapped up in an enigma. The great people of blessed memory whom we revere, did it this way; honorably.  They completed their tasks summa cum laude. You can do it too, live honorably and you will be wowed at the impact you will make.
Peace be on every soul. Alleluia, Christ is risen.


PIUS AWENNALA ATIIRIMBEY

 

I LOVE MY COUNTRY GHANA

I love my country, where I was born and where I live, where we are gifted to the “nonsense degree”.      
I love my country, where we have everything yet we own nothing, we boast yet we are remotely governed.
I love my country, where the resources are always on flight, where the citizenry watch while the aliens’ peg the price.
I love my country, where we are free from the shackles of colonialism, to wit we are independent and yet we are instructed.
I love my country, where like a performance art suffers from external locus of identity, where we are well only when they say so.
I love my country, where patriotism has joined its ancestors, where we are all egoistically-driven and where we morally corrupt.
I love my country, where we are paid to do nothing, where the civil servants keep demanding yet work lackadaisically.
I love my country, where we engage you not because of what you know but who you know and how they can make the votes.
I love my country, where there’s coloring of every uttered word, where beautyful ideas and constructive criticisms are either shelved or thrown into the garbage can. But of course we shout: yes we can.
I love my country, where the politicians are a farcical joke, they’re all about nothing but just looking for votes.
I love my country, where politics has eaten deep into every societal fabric, where truth is dearth but insincerity is now rewarding, even with a bonus guarantee.
I love my country, where there is always a justification for every wrong thing done.
I love my country, where we have paper experts, analyzing everything yet we have no answers.
I love my country, where we are crazily religious, where we talk God almost everywhere we go. A       country that uses the good books to admonish itself.  Well, you will be surprised because this same country is morally decayed.
I love my country, because we are directionless, marking time yet we claim we are doing well.  The classical case of the cricket being roasted to death, yet it claims it is shedding out excess oils from its system.
Why won’t I love my country, when we have about 26 million coaches, each with his or her tactics yet we don’t have trophies?
I love my country, where we all complain everything is bad but when someone tries try to do the right thing, the same people call you names and say you are inhumane.
I love my country, where our leaders themselves ought to be led. They are blind, and we closer to a ditch.  
I love my country, which is run on the media, we talk loud on policies but do little in reality.
I love my country, where the same people they vow to protect are the same who are often hurt: the ordinary.
I just love my country, where the preachers are richer out of the sweat of their members. They keep talking about money, tithes and given to God. The real message however, is getting people to God which is relegated to the background.
Of course I love my country, where after people perish we see all known and unknown good commentary on the issue. They say, it should have been this or that but I keep asking, where were you before that. Hmmmm...
Oh yes, I do love my country, where else do I have to go? Bad or good, there’s no other place like home.
One score and a half of a dozen have I lived and have seen all these take and still taking place.

PIUS AWENNALA ATIIRIMBEY

COMMUNICATION

You ought to know what to say and how to say it and when to say it. You ought to know your audience and make them understand whatever you are putting out.  Communication is key to the development of any society. Many have attempted but have either not been serious with it or don't know the implications of doing a poor job. Some communicators ignore their target groups and thus, end up talking to only a small section of their audience. The rest, left in an abyss of confusion. How can we all be on the same page, when all communicators do is try to impress with literary devices. Others too are just verbose (politicians the worst culprits). Communication should be very simple. I am not by this saying don't make your speeches or write-ups beautiful but just make them comprehensible. Communication is made compulsory in the tertiary institutions because it is very important. How one carries a message from one place to the other without affecting the substance is vital. 

Government communicators have always done what I call, 'Doing the Laundry'. They wait, when perception is well established and appears like the truth, then they come in to offer explanations hoping it would be accepted. Perception becomes the truth when there is no communication whatsoever.  People tend to hazard all sorts of guesses and preach it both far and wide. When finally the horses come out with the truth,  it creates confusion of some sort in the minds of people. I call that a potpourri. This can always be avoided if one is always updated. What can be so annoying is this, you are at a certain somewhere waiting for a particular service.  The clock keeps ticking yet no one comes to tell you what is happening. This can always get awkward as the impatient ones would become very bitter and can cause a scene. This can be pinned on those whose duty it was to keep the people informed. A dereliction of duty the cause. Some simply are ignorant of the implications of not always informing people. Don't wait till you are asked because the one who asks you is not always a happy man.  He or she may have just had it to the neck. Keep people informed! Don't make it a habit to always be apologizing for avoidable things. It's annoying I always have to be asking instead of you telling me. No matter the job, communication is key. 

Try as much as possible to prevent the perceptions because you may not be able to convince people after they have been informed of something even if wrongly. Let the right information flow and it should be timely. Simple English is good English, just make your target group understand. 

NB; You speak to be heard. 

You speak to a people.

 Know thy target group.

 Know also that, communication is a serious job. 

Always keep people informed and updated.

Do not take people for granted!  

Do not assume they will understand.

Explain what you mean. 

Thank you. 

GOATS BEGET NOT SHEEP

           

The youth are the future leaders, so we often hear.  But the calibre of leaders the youth are going to be has never been questioned. Well, permit me ask: what sort of leaders will the youth be?? Good? Bad? Or Ugly? We often say the youth are the future leaders. But when we say this, we know the natural process is that, the children keep growing and one day will be well equipped to man the affairs of the nation barring all unforeseen exigencies. A child has a family. A child lives in an environment. As a child grows, the family and environment play a role in his/her development. A child may have his family or environment to thank or to curse.  You can train your child, but the training of a responsible  child  is a very difficult task. The world is changing at a faster rate and parents were suppose to change the ways of training of their wards. I often hear our elders say; as for the youth of today, they are rotten. They as Sulibreaks once noted,  have forgotten they took part in our training or are also responsible for the output. They will always say good things but practice none. They say certain things out of convenience. Train the child the way he should go and when he grows,  he won't depart from it, so says the Bible. The type of training however, in my part of the world is no good one. Some as James Amoh Jr quizzed in his post yesterday,  are preaching virtue and practising vice? Yeah, that's exactly what some elders are doing. Almost everyone is killing Ghana.  The few good ones are sidelined and we don't see more of them.  The bad is what we are witnesses to almost everyday. We who are quick to charge and sentence people in the public court of opinion if their "sins" are exposed,  we who talk morals all the time, we who preach the fact that we are God fearing people have a country messy. How is that? Pretense? Hypocrisy?  If you so want the youth to turn the fortunes of this our beloved country, then you make sure you train us well. You want us to believe it is rewarding to uphold morals on the one hand but on the other, you make us thirst for illegal wealth creation with your lifestyles.  Examples on any day are better than precepts. I am a Christian and can tell you Christ gathered such a huge following because he lived his words. He did not come to die, he came to show the way which included dying on the cross. Elders in days of yore showed the way which included sacrifices of various forms. Our politicians and all who engage in the duping process of the people should not expect any better future for our dear nation. Whatever you're doing is being recorded and believed to be the way to go by your children . What annoys me is this phrase from the politicians "the youth do not want to take to agriculture". Really?? If it were easier, why do politics instead? Just become a rural boy or girl for a day and you will understand how difficult it is to farm without support. What the rural child sees is a dirty farmer with a bicycle and a neat politician with a flashy car. Who do you think he will aspire to become? "When mother-cow is chewing grass , its young ones watch its mouth", Chinua Achebe in his book Things Fall Apart. What do you expect when you input garbage in a system?  You are not doing Ghana any good if you are not living right. Our elders today are teaching us to survive at the expense of our brethren. Yet, they turn round to accuse the youth of being immoral. Fathers and mothers of the land, you played a role in this mess.
I leave you with this saying from my people,  GOATS BEGET NOT SHEEP.

THE AWENNALA ATIIRIMBEY COPING MECHANISM

I have shared this with some of my friends verbally.  Always wanted to, as I have always done, share this with more of my friends because I see it helpful. This day presents that opportunity. Since death has visited my kin once again and painfully too,  I deem it fit to share this mechanism. For who knows what time he or she has left?
These are incontestable about death;
Death is inevitable.
Death is a necessary end.
Death is a whole mystery wrapped up in an enigma.
Death is unpredictable: it comes at its own time.
Death takes whoever: the rich,  the poor,  the employed, the unemployed, the destitute, the labourer, the boss, the servant, the young, the old etc...
Death therefore, respects not.
Death doesn't need any permission or invite. Annoyingly, the guest no one enjoys hosting.
Death is a shocker.
Holding that the aforementioned are facts, I therefore proposed this mechanism for at least a "better" reception of the passing on of whoever the person is to you.
In order to succeed in anything  you have to plan ahead. Death needs such planning and preparedness. It needs thought. Who shall live forever? Let me relate this to our everyday machines so you get it.  All motorcycles, cars and others have shock absorbers. The brains behind the motorbikes and others envisioned that, one was not only going to be riding on smooth surfaces but bumpy ones. The wisdom also is that, one needs balance. So when you are on a smooth road you are fine, when the road is bumpy or full of potholes one is still fine because the design has made that possible.  A computer will be very useless without softwares. One needs the Microsoft office tools to enable one do typing, create spreadsheets, power point etc. One needs softwares in the form of  antiviruses to protect the computer against viruses. One needs, downloaders, music player softwares and so on before one's computer can perform certain functions. Without them,  the computer will only be occupying space.
The human brain can also be made to install certain undesirable yet inevitable phenomena like death, betrayal etc. Such that when it occurs, one would be able to contain the shock and not collapse or breakdown totally. Ask yourself these questions and don't be scared, for it will surely visit you willy- nilly. What if my mom passes on or my dad,  or my sister or my brother or my uncle or my aunty or my friend or girlfriend or wife or husband or son or daughter? How will I take it? What if that person is the breadwinner? Or my only joy? Or the only person I know?  I know you are already uncomfortable reading these questions.They are difficult questions but you ought to psychologically prepare yourself. That's why you need the software installation in your mind to provide the shock absorbers for a" better" reception of the unpleasant news. With this,  others may think you are unperturbed when the unexpected happens . Some people usually see other people as always being happy. What they don't know is that,  some people are coping better than others. They may be having sleepless nights. It rains not on only one roof, our elders say. The impact may vary though. But all pain is pain. In football we use tactics,  excel uses formulas, in life one has to use strategies to survive. If nothing is planned for then anything is planned for. That's THE AWENNALA ATIIRIMBEY COPING MECHANISM . All will receive sad news but some will handle it better than others. Those people are not too strong but have prepared for it. They know there is absolutely nothing one can do about it. We all don't like it but we have to be strong during those times. I thought about this six years ago and have used it. That has been my medicine for the deaths I have seen. You can try it too.