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Sarpong Obed-ready to chew (100 unread)

• September 01, 2010
• 8:14

  National Service; My First Day

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I have not done a personal post in many months. Today, I start my National Service. The National Service is a constitutional requirement of every student who completes tertiary education in Ghana and usually students who have completed use the opportunity to work (or serve) in companies and institutions mostly of interest. However, some do not have a choice at all.
  
  Usually, the National Service Secretariat sends out postings to government priority areas, especially education, health and agriculture. Therefore, students wishing to do their service in such areas receive their postings before any other groups like banks or financial institutions (where many graduates are found to be moving to recently). The advantage is that, those going into the government priority areas know where they will serve way before they even leave school because they apply and attend interviews for those posts.
  
  I'm currently writing from the Teaching Assistant's office at the department of Linguistics at the University of Ghana. It is where I'm doing my national service after I ditched the department of English. I had to make a difficult choice between the two. I love both subjects, especially literature; but, it is what life is about. Most of the people I have met here are very enthusiastic about what they have to do here. If there is anything I must say at all, it will be that the young people of this country are passionate and would want to see things done.
  
  We are talking about civic education in Ghana. The Service is a good opportunity for that to happen also.
• August 30, 2010
• 13:15

  Scammers In Ghana! Ghanaians Beware

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  It is amazing how some people get deceived in these modern times. Just like in times past, tricksters adopted simple and sophisticated means of scamming people (I'm not sure scam was the word used during those periods albeit). The practice has found its way to today. If people have become smarter; if people have invented machines to make them even smarter; then, thieves and their various classes have evolved too.
  
  Very recently, the news became rampant of some young Ghanaians who have found themselves in China supposedly to attend a school of medicine. They found out later--while in China, of course--that they were on a fake scholarship. Apparently, they had paid about GhC 2000 (close to $1850) for an agent (a scammer, it is clear) to help them facilitate their applications. They are now stupidly asking for support from the government of Ghana.
  
  If you say you are smart enough to study medicine, you would know what a mouse click can do.
  
  I stumbled on this notice (left of page) right outside the university of Ghana Legon campus, close to the Ghana Commercial Bank Legon branch. I took a shot. I'm sure many are falling for this already. SO what are the authorities doing? Should people be scammed before they tell us how to think?
• August 29, 2010
• 17:55

  A Poem Still Under Construction - 'The Day I Dumped God'

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Well, below is a poem I worked on this while in the newsroom of Radio Univers. Occasionalyy, I feel like putting up one of my poems here. Otherwise, they are usually on my poetry blog. All the same, I hope you enjoy this one.
  
  The Day I dumped God
  
  That woman at the church corner
  
  Forgot about her empty stomach
  
  That spoke louder than her farting
  
  And said I should get a haircut
  
  It’s a sign of my coming madness
  
  
  
  The day I dumped God
  
  The nail that managed to drive itself
  
  Into the side of my foot
  
  Assumed an heavenly assault
  
  With earthly men of god as commanders
  
  
  
  The day I dumped God
  
  The trotro told me my life was useless
  
  Without the patriarchal Son of the almighty
  
  Who in His infinite grace will turn
  
  Away from me and mix my blessings with pepper
  
  26 August, 2010. Legon
• August 23, 2010
• 14:28

  President Mills Speaks Leaving Party in the Cold

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  President Mills has cut his holidays in the United States short and has returned to the country. The reasons for which the president did it is unknown; but, it should not be difficult to guess the reason (s). His party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has come under attack first from the Ghana Bar Association (Kumasi) and the opposition New Patriotic Party after the NDC party Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, threatened to 'clean the judiciary' if the Chief Justice does not do it. Also, issues with the hike in public utitlities is still on the table.
  
  During this period, many Ghanaians called for the government's reaction on the matter. What came from the president's aides and spokespersons was just an affirmation of the party position mainly claiming that the NDC Chairman's pronouncements are not new but rather have been around. This led the opposition to threatene to impeach the president for attempting to interfere with the judiciary. It is worthy of note that from all the 3 arms of state, only the judiciary is non-partisan - the legislature remains largely polarised while the executive is completely a party affair.
  
  The president meanwhile has responded to all these issues himself. In an interview, President Mills said he has confidence in the judiciary and has no intentions of interfering with the body's activities - clearly dissociating himself and the government from the party. So where does that leave people like the president's own aide, Nii Lantey Vanderpuije and Dr. Adjei? Where does it leave the party and government?
  What does it say of the president's huge communication baggage? A member of the NDC, John Ndebugri, has also called on the party chairman to apologise. The president took time to do some politics by reacting to comments by the leader of the opposition party, Nana Akuffo Addo, who called the president "professor Do Little."
  
  For some reason, I feel this is all good for Ghana. The judiciary has stated that it's involved with various in-house reforms. Earlier today, the judge sitting on the Mobilla murder case petitioned the Chief Justice asking her to take the case to a different court because he feels threatened and has been accused of bias by the deputy Attorney General, Barton Oduro. The Justice has denied it and called on the deputy Attorney General to substantiate his allegations of calling the Justice a drunkard.
  It is my hope that the judiciary comes out stronger. If the judiciary does not crack, it will be to the joy of Ghanaians who see the courts as their only saviour. This is because the canker of partisan politics which is destroying, if it hasn't already, the legislature and executive should not be allowed to reach the corridors of the law courts!
• August 20, 2010
• 17:22

  Where is the Malta Guinness Label, GGL?

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  If you are a Ghanaian, Malta Guinness will not be a strange drink to you. I remember as a young lad, whenever I was faced with making a choice for a drink, I chose Malt over fanta or Coca cola or the rest. My belief was that Malt was more nutritious than the other soft drinks.
  
  But my belief in the nutritional values of Malta Guinness at the time was based on fact. Each time my parents bought me Malta Guiness, I turned to the back of the bottle and read the ingredients. I never knew why I did so, really. But I kept going back to it. I took interest also in the fact that the number and range of vitamins contained in the drink were written boldly and they appeared all over the bottle. It did something to me, even as a little boy.
  
  However, things have changed. I bought a Malta Guinness a few days ago only to find my shock. There was nothing at the back of the bottle like before. The list of nutrients were also gone except for some minute information for the consumer. I was hugely disappointed! It was not for my childhood fancy, but something more like consumer confidence.
  I realised that the information on the bottle was good for the buyer. At least in practice, you could know what you were drinking.
  
  It is my hope that Guinness Ghana Limited would step up and take notice. If I have seen this and I want my ingredients back, it is possible many others in Ghana would want it back! At least for consumer confidence.
• August 17, 2010
• 16:15

  Leave the Judges Alone! Kwabena and NDC

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Today, the National Chairman of the ruling party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Adjei at a press conference called on the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Republic of Ghana to 'clean up' the judiciary. Whatever he meant by that, only he could tell Ghanaians—like me— who are wondering what he and his party are up to. After all, he heads the party so one can fairly take the position that Dr. Kwabena Adjei's voice is that of the NDC.
  
  As if that was not enough, the NDC chairman also said it will clean the judiciary up by itself and that there are many ways of killing a cat (emphasis mine)! To begin with, the judiciary or various judges in Ghana are not cats. Or are they? Why the hell does the NDC chairman want to kill, or get rid of (I think this is the phrase he meant to use), the judges so much? The Attorney General (AG) has so far lost--or intends to appeal--most of all the cases one can call political. The ruling party, apparently, is getting frustrated. This week alone, after a court discharged Mr. Wereko Brobbey and Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani (all served under the previous Kuffuor administration) who were facing charges (4 counts) of causing financial loss to the state, many NDC party gurus attacked the AG and demanded that the president relieve her of her duties. The president has been silent so far. So the party chairman now thinks it is the fault of bias or so-called pro NPP judges who, deliberately, are making the AG lose her political cases.
  
  Secondly, does the NDC as a political party have the power to kill the judges (cats) or, say, sack and replace them? I guess that should not be the case for two reasons. One is that it is unconstitutional; and, the second being that it will set a bad precedence for Ghana's democracy and justice system or jurisprudence. The NDC has spoken its mind, however, and it is what we do after that matters. Would we sit and see people defy and kick the constitution in their backyards? The president has so far appointed about 3 judges (?).
  
  To the substance or otherwise of the pronouncements of the Dr. Adjei, it is an unfortunate one coming from someone who was a Member of Parliament for 3 terms and was a former minister under the Rawlings administration before turning his attention to the party top post. What makes it worse is to hear other party members who are also lawyers defend the statement and try to rationalise it in a very trivial way.
  
  Bad lawyers lose good cases; and, so do good lawyers win bad cases. It is the way the law works everywhere and lawyers and judges know this all too well. If justice does not go in your favour, that is what appeals are for! Packing the courts with justices who you think will rule in your favour is just not the right direction this country should be taken to. As I have already mentioned, the president has made some appointments, so what the NDC should be doing is to find out why exactly the AG is losing her cases (several lawyers represent the state in court, not the AG) and not to public vow to clean up the judiciary. The judges will do their work and if we do not agree with their reasoning, there is a clear way to this and open threats against them is not the way to go! The NDC should know this already.
  
  Until then, they will lose the cases. If the party succeeds in twisting the arms of government by packs the law courts with its own justices (I'm hoping they fail), we shall all see the blatant mockery and travesty of justice in Ghana. The opposition NPP has declared to make moves to impeach the president if he attempts to commit this crime. I just hope it does not get to this stage.
• 7:11

  Kenya-Ghana Recast

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I was going through my blogger posts and i saw this saved as a draft. I think i wrote it a little over 2 years ago (January 23, 2008) after Ghana's election.So here, I publish it in full.
  
  Votes were rigged. We may all accept that though. But tell me: Why would anyone want to wipe out another tribe because votes were rigged?
  More so in Kenya, for instance, when a particular party of of a particular tribe wins elections, the ramifications for the other tribe are underdevelopment in such areas and neglect. That is why the constitutional framers in Ghana made the provision that political parties in Ghana must have membership of multi-ethnic grouping. That has helped.
  
  Kenya and its Sibling
  You have to know that things don't happen in isolation. To apply different situations to other places, you need to submerge yourself into those conditions to understand. That is why Historians can tell you history doesn't repeat itself, but rather things,events are the ones that recur in different environs with different cause and repercussions. If the causes vary from that which is been compared, then it isn't simply right. So if there was rigging in Kenya, and rigging also happened in Ghana. Then the response from Kenyans were similar to Ghana's, then we are likely to compare. That's just one. What preceded the rigging and it's aftermath are important. Does Kenya and Ghana run similar electoral systems?
  Can you say what happened in Serbia can happen in the U.K? My friend?
  
  Declaring or Calling
  Forget whether it's a French term or not. The question is: Does a political party have the right to declare election results? If and when they do, is that legal? Is it recognised by the courts and honourable people of Ghana? So stop saying a party declared themselves winners of an election when the E.C. came out to declare the results.
  
  Just to fill the knowledge gap, all political parties in Ghana indulge in collection of results declared locally at the polling stations by E.C officials after votes had been counted. Based on that, those parties can draw a conclusion--whether they have lost or won. That's up to them. What is most important though is that the E.C.'s declaration supersedes all and it's the one recognised. If anyone objects, he can challenge that in court, not the streets! And i think the prof understands that quite well.
• August 15, 2010
• 22:53

  The Boy Barwuah who Became the Man Balotelli

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew

  Mario in Inter jersey

  A friend on facebook had posted a link on his wall. The link had the photograph of Mario Balotelli (also known populary in Ghana by his father's name Barwuah). i remember I saw a similar post on goal.com but never really paid attention; but, this time around I did.
  
  The article in the Mail Online profiles the young footballer's childhood with his Ghanaian family, the struggles and how they came to listen to the advice of social workers to give Mario away to an Italian foster parents. The Barwuahs had struggled to keep Mario alive because after birth, he had intestine problems. But as life would have it, moving to a predominantly white community in Italy with a poor family proved too difficult to handle. The Barwuahs were faced with difficulties and so did the obvious: turn to the social workers for help! They suggested the boy be fostered by the Ballotelli's.
  
  Now a full grown footballer, Mario has abondoned his family just like he 'thought' and said they did to him while he was a boy. He picked the italian surname of his foster parents even without informing his biological parents who were still in Italy. He delink himself from his origins, he played for the Italian under-21 side.
  When I look at this footballer, I see a troubled child struggling to understand himself.
  
  

  Mario with the Balotellis

  What makes it worse, I think, is that he thinks the best way out of his psychological turmoil is to distance himself of his parents and run away from his 'Blackness.' Obviously he needs help. A kind of help his white Italian parents cannot provide. If they could--and if they were really in their right senses--they would have invited the Barwuahs to the ceremony that saw Mario gain his Italian citizenship or informed them of the change of name. At least, from Mr. Barwuah's viewpoint, the Balotelli's made a conscious effort to not give mario back as they kept on extending the foster period (the poor Barwuahs could not match the legal strength of the Balotellis).
  
  The Ghana Football Association (GFA), at some point, asked Mario to play for Ghana. The boy slammed the GFA by sarcastically puking he never heard of the country although he was at the same club with Ghana's midfielder, Sulley Muntari. My take at the time was that Mario was a talented player, but Ghana does not need such a twerp. He obviously must have his side of the story--just like he said his parents abondoned him a hospital--but Mario needs to grow out of that weak mind of his.
  But it is a sad tale of many poor African family living in Europe, America or even in Ghana. It is a huge mistake the Barwuahs did, and it is obvious their son (who has practically disowned them) intends to make them live with it, forever!
• August 14, 2010
• 17:56

  Politicians Playing Ball with Youth Policy

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  So the government has finally launched a youth policy. I am not too enthused about how things went or more accurately, how the government went about it. I never agreed with the sacking of the then National Coordinator, Dr. Sekou Nkrumah--and I didn't know what new was supposed to be done with the draft youth policy when the cabinet rejected it before sacking Dr. Nkrumah.
  
  It's taken a little over a decade for government--both the current opposition and the present government--to pass the policy into law. But issues have already come out of the policy. There is no action plan. In other words, there is no document specifying how exactly the policy is supposed to be implemented. Basically, it remains just another document.
  
  While the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 85 percent of the youth are unemployed--and I bet most of them live with their parents in Ghana because they cannot afford much--the politicians are fighting over WHO PUT THE POLICY TOGETHER and are chasing credit, like avaricious animals, for the document as if it's all that matters most. Apparently, there is supposed to be a new acting National Coordinator at the Youth Council. The gentleman does not even know where the supposed action plan even is.
  
  As it is now, it remains one document until I see things happening. These politicians are not serious once again and they are playing with the youth. The next time they appear on a political platform, they will say: The Youth are the future leaders. Yes, place us in the future.
  
• August 12, 2010
• 12:30

  My 112th post is Not From My Mind; BP on the BBC

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  So you guys remember that post I did on the BP oil spill, the resignation of
  its British CEO and the installation of the first American CEO of the
  company? Well, last Friday, August 6, on World Have Your Say on the BBC, it was
  discussed. Here is the e-mail I received from the good Ros Atkins, although Chloe Tilley was in the chair. I post it here unedited.
  
  *THE BLOG*: [www.worldhaveyoursay.com*]
  *EMAIL*: *worldhaveyoursay@bbc.com*
  *TWITTER*: [twitter.com]
  *ROS' TWITTER FEED*: [twitter.com]
  *MARK’S TWITTER FEED:* [twitter.com]
  Hello and welcome to the last daily email of the week,
  *ON AIR: WAS THE BP OIL LEAK 'OVERHYPED'?*
  *'Despite headlines screaming "the worst oil spill in history" it turns out
  the BP blowout disaster wasn't really as big a deal as you'd have thought'.*So says
  *Addison Wiggin* , as the
  US government admits that nearly *75% of all the oil leaked*into the Gulf has already been removed.
  
  And it seems that Addison *isn't alone*.
  Pierre *in Germany*says:
  The average lake has higher concentrations of greasy suntan lotion from
  swimmers... So everybody really ought to just calm down about it... The Gulf
  shores will get cleaned up and big mother earth will do the rest.
  
  *Mike Thomas*says he's not pro oil but the subject's close to his heart:
  
     Hyping environmental doom, as was done here, chisels away at the
     credibility of environmental issues. It's the Cry Wolf syndrome. It also
     diverts attention from real issues, like the nutrients dumped into the Gulf
     from the Everglades. The threat of oil pales compared to this.
    
  Writing in *Florida*,
  Mike argues *the main damage to the coast*has been from 'hysterical
  * reports that scared away tourists and damaged the reputation of Gulf
  seafood'.*
  
  But *Chris Kromm*couldn't disagree more:
  
     Most scientists agree... that it's far too early to write off the
     possibility of long-term consequences from releasing 210 million gallons of
     oil into the ocean. What's more, it's clear that even the good news... only
     raises more questions about where the pollutants have gone.
    
  He suggests there could be a link between the BP oil spill and the *Gulf
  Dead Zone*,
  a massive area of water in the Gulf of Mexico that's so deprived of oxygen
  it's uninhabitable to sea life much of the year.
  
  And nearly 40% of people in *this online survey*think the devastation from the oil spill has 'absolutely not' been
  over-hyped.
  
  It's certainly *the biggest*,
  but is the BP Gulf of Mexico the worst, or just the most 'over-hyped' oil
  leak in history?
  
• 11:59

  Book Reading, Poetry Talk Party and Poetry on Radio

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  The Writers Project of Ghana is inviting all Ghanaians and
  Non-Ghanaians to this month's book reading: "Powder Necklace" written
  by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond. If you listened to The Writers' Project on
  Citi 97.3 fm last Sunday, you would have heard Nana Ekua (she is a
  cool person to hang around with) read a few words from her first
  novel.

  So just make your way to the Nubuke Foundation, 7 Adamafio East Legon,
  Accra. For those who cannot find the street address, Nubuke is near
  MENSVIC Grand Hotel at East Legon. The reading is tomorrow August 13,
  at 7 p.m.

  The reading will be done by the author. Autographed copies of the new
  novel will be available for purchase so bring a few cedis to support
  the writing community (this time the author).

  Spread the word and come have a great time with Nana Ekua!

  The Poetry TalkParty is also on the 15th, at the Nubuke foundation at
  the usual time...! Come with a friend, a drink, or both! Ok, if you do
  not know the usual time, it is 5.30 p.m. and runs till 9.00 p.m. You
  can tune in to Radio Univers 105.7 fm on this and every Sunday and
  listen to Open Air Theatre, a live literary show.
  The Writers Project on Citi every Sunday from 8.30 PM! Let your
  friends and family in on this great radio show! Citi FM is on 97.3
  MHz.

• August 11, 2010
• 0:45

  Agric Ministry Extends a Hand to Local Manufacturers

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew

  Minister of Food and Agric

  I think I am more than domestication; but, my deepest gratitude to Dan Lartey (who aside Dr. Nkrumah wanted Ghana and Ghanaians to develop local capacity not in theory but in practice) who never got the direct opportunity to implement his ideas.
  
  My understanding is that the Agric ministry extended a hand to the Kristo Asafo company for the latter to provide farm machinery like tractors. According to the minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, it is part of the ministry's objectives to give local manufacturers the opportunity to provide such machinery instead of importing them.
  But very recently, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu Oppong, the director of Engineering Services at the ministry stated that his department has not received any response from the Kristo Asafo company.
  Meanwhile, an official of the Kristo Asafo company, owned by the famous local manufacturer Safo Kantanka, has also said that his outfit has not heard from the Agric ministry since the minister visited their premises and assured them of support.
  
  I do not think this should be happening at all. The issue of who should contact who should not come into play. The little marketing (business) lessons I took taught me to take the game to the market; so, the Kristo Asafo company should not sit and wait for the ministry to invite it. They must visit the ministry and inquire about the necessary steps it must take in order to secure the bid to manufacture those machinery.
  At any rate, the director has said the offer is still open for the company but it would also allow other Ghanaian manufacturers to wade in using the procurement act process.
  
  It is my wish that after Safo Kantanka had made so much noise of lack of government support, his company would take the initiative. the ministry must also ensure only Ghanaians get the deal--and not foreign companies fronting as Ghanaian companies.
• August 10, 2010
• 9:23

  Social Network and Tomorrow

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  This may be a a rush post. Today, I tried logging into my twitter account. A screen shot up with a message that told me there is an overload of the service. i did not know why there should be an overload, but there was a supplied so I clicked on it and this is what I saw.
  
  Thu We're currently experiencing a high error rate on Twitter. 4 days ago

  We're currently experiencing a high error rate on Twitter. Our infrastructure and operations engineers are responding to the incident.

  Update:  Thu Aug  5 22:39:04 UTC 2010: Twitter is currently recovering, Tweets are are flowing again. We expect a full recovery in the next hour.

  Update: Thu Aug  5 23:46:11 UTC 2010: Twitter is fully recovered.

  Aug
  3rd Tue Temporarily Disabling "Suggestions for You" 6 days ago

  Before we make "Suggestions For You" available to all users, we're going to temporarily disable the feature for approximately 24 hours.

  Jul
  31st Sat Scheduled Downtime Duration 1 week ago

  Update: Sun Aug  1 05:31 UTC 2010
  Twitter's hosting provider, NTT America, will begin scheduled maintenance at 11:00PM PT/06:00AM UTC. This maintenance will last approximately five hours.

  During this maintenance, there will be periods of time when some users are unable to use Twitter. We do not expect these periods will last for the entire maintenance window.
  
  So what is the point? i cannot network? No. I just didn't know about this. I don't know how Twitter intends to make users aware of this. Facebook makes changes without notice too on many occasions. So I just don't know when they will one day shut everything down and to 'hell with all the users!'
  
• 8:24

  French Brutality

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew

  Bad Laws is a Choice: France

  The French government has been damned once again. This time, it is not about a law meant to tell Muslim what to wear around their face or how to wear anything at all; but, a video posted on the internet showed French Police brutality.

  I have never been a fan of the police although I have some good friends in there (including 3 known classmates). But after watching the video on the bbc website, I was so annoyed, not shocked. (A woman with a baby was dragged on her back by her legs). Apparently, President Sarkozy's government wants to pass into law a bill that will allow the French state to strip immigrants (even if they have naturalised) of their citizenship if they commit a crime.

  This law isn't only racist, it is also crude and decivilising, especially in a place like France. The country is increasing becoming hostile to immigrants, especially those from Africa and the Middle, Near or Far East. It makes me wonder if all those blacks at the forefront of sports in France would also face the law if it is passed. As it stands now, the world is watching and almost silently. Here is how the IrishTimes reported the story and view it on YouTube [www.youtube.com]

  
  

  
• August 06, 2010
• 12:53

  Constitutional Review Commision: As a Nation, Are We Listening???

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew

  

  While listening to the Morning Show on Radio Univers today - I am
  taking an unofficial break from direct newsroom work - I heard Prof.
  Kofi Agyekum of the Department of Linguistics at the University of
  Ghana advocate the translation of the national constitution into the
  Ghanaian languages.

  Presently, the constitution remains in the English language alone and
  remains largely inaccessible to a wider range of Ghanaians; although,
  very recently, an abridged version has been produced at a cost of
  GHC5. The professor of Linguistics said it would allow many Ghanaians
  understand the provisions in the constitution. As someone who studied
  Linguistics at the undergraduate level for 4 years I cannot help but
  agree with Prof. Agyekum.

  The Department of Linguistics at the University of Ghana is noted to
  have made dictionaries in Akan, Ga and is currently working on one in
  Ewe.
  Interestingly, the national constitution of Ghana is undergoing a
  review and the commission is in Tamale presently taking public opinion
  on the document. A woman came up and asked to make her submission in
  Dagbani, the language that is widely spoken in the Northern Region and
  around. A translator was on hand and I thought that was smart. The
  woman made the same plea to the Constitutional Review Commission to
  translate the constitution into Dagbani plus other Ghanaian languages.

  But I have one question: How many people can read their Ghanaian languages?

  According to our educational policy on the medium of instruction,
  English should be used to teach from primary 1 (Grade 1) and already,
  kindergartens are using English too. Only that the language of the
  community (for example, Ga at a school in Osu or many places in Accra)
  should be taught. But the problem remains. Implementation is a
  problem, especially in private schools where the Ghana Education
  Service (GES) monitoring and enforcement is weak and the Parent
  Teacher Association has more say in what happens in the school than
  GES.

  I think these are core issues that must be solved not the frivolous
  battle politicians are having over the duration of students in school.

• August 05, 2010
• 10:56

  University of Ghana Rescinds Decision to Convert Commonwealth Hall

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew

  

  The University of Ghana authorities have decided to affiliate freshmen
  to its only male hall, the Commonwealth Hall popularly referred to as
  the Vandal City. Speaking at his induction ceremony on Monday, the new
  Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ernest Aryeetey indicated his desire to end
  litigation and settle matters out of court.

  The university had earlier wanted to convert Commonwealth Hall into a
  mixed hall for Graduate students in order to control the perceive
  rising notoriety of students of the hall. The Junior Common Room (JCR)
  of the Hall decided to challenge the university's action in court
  after which old students of the hall, countrywide, waded in support
  for the JCR. The court placed an injunction on the university's
  decision, one that most Vandals considered a victory.

  The news I have suggests it is now official; the university has
  directed some students to do their hall registrations at the Vandal
  City. It must be noted that prior to the courts decision, the
  university had proceeded to not admit students to the hall. As it is
  now, some fresh graduate students will be accommodated in the hall
  while from next academic year, the university will admit fresh
  students into the hall. The future is normalcy.

• August 04, 2010
• 4:34

  The Burt Awards Comes Off Today at the Ghana Book Trust

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Somewhere last year, I announced on my literary show Open Air Theatre on Radio Univers that there was a new award for writers called the Burt Award for Excellence in African Young Adult Fiction. Well, those Ghanaians who heeded the message and sent in their scripts have earned their place.
  
  Later today at 2.00 p.m. at the Ghana Book Trust premises, three prizes will be presented to those writers: Gold (GHc 16,000); Silver (GHc 8,000); Bronze (GHc 4,000). A while ago, I spoke to the coordinator at the Ghana Book Trust (GBT) who confirmed the award and said the monetary prizes will be given to the authors, while the publishers will win a contract to publish the books. The GBT/CODE will purchase 3000 copies of each title to be donated to some schools and libraries in Ghana.
  
  The Burt Award is supported by a Canadian philanthropist and the award is a way of inspiring quality writing for young adults. The stories are targeted at people within the ages 12 and 16. So when you write, write well.
• August 02, 2010
• 17:40

  A Mangled Religion for the Un-Reflective

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew

  I have wondered why many people who profess their love for their faith and for the chief totem of their faith, have so miserably failed to live up to the very tenets that those belief systems require. Living in Ghana, it is a daily affair to be approach by a man or woman (mostly, they look young and unemployed but that may not be the case for all of them) with the BIGGEST question: Do you believe in Jesus?

  I have never had a personal problem with any 'believer' as they call themselves. My mother is a devout Christian—I mean she prays for 30 minutes every morning and at night too. I was raised, by default a Christian as many other people in Africa today; but, I have found the belief in the faith cum its praxis amongst Christians disproportionate.

  The reasons are many. Those within the religion do not know what they are up to. After all, they did not sign up for it (just like me). The search for exclusivity as well as increase in membership than the actual focus on the supposed quality of what the religion provides has been a Sisyphean struggle. While it may be fair to hold beliefs in anything, it would sound rational to question if what you believe in is commensurate to what you do. Most Christians are fixated with the by-products of the religion, and Jesus Christ will be even disgusted by it.

  
• 14:03

  Sarah Palin in Ghana. But what for?

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  News about Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate, visiting Ghana and the university of Ghana specifically has been long known among students, at least those involved with student activism. I came by the news because I was a reporter for Radio Univers, and also because I am an Old Vandal.
  
  Some of the students kicked against her visit for one reason: the university could obviously put to better use that huge cash it intends to give to the ex-governor. Also, it is not as if the premiere university needs her to give it any credibility or validity. It's research work stands out for it loudly enough. If anything at all, may be Ghanaians would forgive her for mixing up simple data about Ghana. As a former student, I think the university should be busying itself using such monies for infrastructural development or better still set up a scholarship fellowship programme with it.
  
  Besides, I don't know what she would say to the student body that we do not know. Perhaps, those students know the the number of states in the United States of America plus they would probably not confuse Sacramento for Boston as capital of California. But she probably will come and I hope that helps her see that Africa is a big place.
  
• 5:52

  University of Ghana to Install New Vice-Chancellor

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  The University of Ghana is set to install a new vice-chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, today, following the exit of Prof. Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe who's term expired on July 31. Prof. Tagoe served a successful 4-year term during which over a 1000 academic essays were published, infrastructure saw an improvement and university administration interfered with student activities.
  
  I am particularly thrilled at Prof. Tagoe's work as far as ICT on the campus is concerned. The ICT directorate launched a new website (in the top 10 of websites in Africa I hear) and also rolled out a programme that saw online academic registrations. My information suggests all exam results will be posted in student online accounts and that the university will cease publishing student results on notice boards.
  The Distance Education programmes which was started in 2007 will also go online soon as a supplement to the print mode. The university has also launched a Networked Operations Centre which will serve as a powerhouse for e-learning, school management, e-library and internet facilities.
  
  Scholarship is another astounding achievement under Prof. Tagoe. And as for collaboration between UG and other universities in the area of research, it is innumerable. I can talk of the contruction of the 22 million cedi sewage treatment plant which is to start soon plus the new housing facility for staff.
  
  But Prof. Tagoe and his administrators (University Council) never left students alone or better. The SRC failed to organised elections twice under Prof. Tagoe due largely to interferences by the Dean of Student's office and also by the infamous attempt by the University Council to force new election regulations down the throat of the student body. Some very active student leaders have felt their academic life threatened.
  To make matters worse, the parliamentary committee on education has just passed a new bill into law that excludes student representation on any of the university's board saying students should focus on their studies. This does not help any student nor their development. I fear all form of authority is afraid of opposition, not even from students.
  I wish the new VC, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey well.
• August 01, 2010
• 15:36

  Controlling the Public Mind

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I have never thought of democracy as a system that allows free choice. There are people who control what you see, dream and even think--although the latter could be salvage. I have been watching some videos of George Carlin and I began to wonder why it never came to me. One video of his was posted on facebook in which I was tagged; then, I started to watch all these shows and interviews the Irish-American did.
  
  Fascinating enough, most people out there cannot see how a thousand or a little above that in Ghana--or more elsewhere--could control individual lives. They have used several tools including those of the state: parliament, cabinet, constitution. It is a long list. They pretend to be fighting for the collective interest, but ask which people own the houses and cars and water? Them or their families. And things won't change because these same people wouldn't allow it. It would be their 'downfall' if those 'poor' people get just a little.
  
  Whether we hate it or love it, they control the media. They want everything for themselves.
• July 31, 2010
• 15:00

  My Year in Review: Issues Arising

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  1. Rumours of H1N1vaccine killing people or giving harsh side effects; but minister of Health denies this.
  
  2. Youth Policy rejected by cabinet as it asks for a 2-week review.
  
  3. Dr. Sekou Nkrumah is sacked as National Co-ordinator of the National Youth Council.
  
  4. Joy fm News Editor, Ato Kwamena Dadzie, charged for causing fear and panic and publishing falsehood.
  
  5. Vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana exits office.
  
  6. Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research starts test face of malaria vaccine.
  
  7. Government of Ghana blocks Kosmos attempt to sell oil shares to Exxon Mobil of th U.S.A.
  
  8. Ghana Black Stars exit 2010 World Cup in quarter-finals as Ghana's junior tennis team win 11 gold medals
  
  9. Politics: Inflation drops but economic conditions worsen.
  
  10. More job losses as ICU goes on demonstration
  
  Hopefully, things will improve.
• July 29, 2010
• 8:28

  Ghana Police Service: Clean up Time

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew

  If we are certain of one perceived condition in Ghana presently, it would be the holy gospel that we are under-resourced as a nation-state. If we are to mention one absurdity in how state functionaries interact with citizens, it would be the continual ruse about one statutory body in the process of doing something to uplift the quality of life amongst the larger populace.

  The Daily Graphic (29/07/10) carried a front-page story where the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, is said to have issued a directive to the Police Hospital asking them to provide healthcare services for 'suspects in police cells throughout the country.' It was also mentioned that the police chief had instructed that those with special cases be allowed to see a specialist for attention.

  Presently, there is massive congestion of police cells countrywide and a Metro tv report a little over a year ago showed this in the starkest form. One is not sure what form of interrogation the police uses; its prosecution procedures (I'm not referring to those processes stated in the books because it appears those are without limbs); and, whether it implements the law covering, for instance, the duration a suspect could be held and also free bail (or whether the police returns monies received as bail if those suspects are acquitted).

  The police have the first seeds of evil within its compounds: ignorance and deliberate ignorance of the law, brutishness and loutishness against ordinary citizens, dishonesty and disrespect for laws bordering on the rights of citizens. Bribery is a domestic issue within its quarters—and can one really blame the poor officers? Most of these are attitude problems that can be changed, mostly with a good amount of discipline. So before anything else, the service has to re-educate its women and men, especially those constables on the street.

  The system where we are made to believe that just by asking one police unit to function in a particular capacity it would be done must be seen as an invention, not worthy anymore than a lie. Indeed, it cuts across all fabric of state life. It is easier to find one minister saying he/she has asked one department to perform some action. In the end, nothing is done. One thing which we should not over-emphasise is that while we may want to think that Ghanaians, generally, are a hardworking people, it is human nature to want to do things in our own time at our convenience—leading to shirking of responsibilities.

  If the conditions at the Cantonment or Nima police cells are in a better condition, it is not news enough because even if we assume crime to be high in the cities, it is easier to get someone out of the cells in these very cities. There are probably over 200 or more other cells across the country in the worst conditions imaginable.

  So if the Ghana Police Service wants the citizenry to believe it is up onto something good, it must first clean up the mess in its various pens nationwide. We must see the cells cleaned up not just by directives, but by action. When that happens, the Ghanaian would invest confidence in the men in blue and black. As it is now, this writer would go to a police station as a mere formality

  
• July 28, 2010
• 11:05

  Yahoo Charges for Adevert-free E-mail

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  As a regular user of Yahoo mail--I have been on it for more than 8 years before I switched to gmail about 4 years ago--I have learned to live with the many ads that roll at the top of my mail page. I have never had cause to complain because, well, it never interfered with the reading of my mails or the composition of one.
  
  But in recent times, the popular mail host has been changing the face of its mail. Anytime I log into my inbox, I have to click on a button to the right of the page to close of ads and thereby create more viewing space. Now that is 100% annoying, especially when I have to do that for a number of times. This is different on gmail where the ads scroll by in letters or graphical ones do not interfere with the mail space area.
  
  Then one time there was a pop-up message that said I could view my mail without the nuisance of graphical adverts. I clicked on the link, then a new tab opened where I was asked to add the feature. What I found out: Yahoo expected me to pay about 11 British pounds in order to view my mail without having to click repeatedly on an ad link.
  So what happened to the old yahoo? And why did Yahoo decide to bring their ads to the right corner of the viewing page instead of the top? And the charges?
• July 27, 2010
• 12:04

  Book Reading of Collection of Short Stories

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  "Yet do you not know, that there are questions so beautiful, so sublime, that their aesthetic power alone requires they are not answered; because even to attempt an answer would be to sully their elegance."
  
  
  Mr. Happy and the Hammer of God is a collection of short stories by Martin Egblewogbe 'in which different aspects of reality are explored.' Often writing in a style quite distinct from the usual, Martin weaves his way through the complex psychology of characters who appear trapped in personal quagmires.
  In the end, the convoluted side of humankind--so often pushed away deep into the shadows of the unconsciousness, for fear of the probable threats they present to the unconfronted self--is brought so forcefully to the fore.
  I love this book. One cannot help but identify on so many levels with this this book.
  
  The collection is divided into 2: Part I holds 7 stories in total while Part II presents 3 stories featuring ''a 'demon-haunted' character involved in a desperate search for salvation...''
  
  The Reading takes place tomorrow 28 July at the Niagara Hotal, near Koala at Osu. Time is 6 p.m.
• 9:02

  America is Dancing to an Old Rhythm

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I really want to mind my own business. After all, there is a lot in my backyard. The last time I listened to the news, some Islamists called Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia had planted a bomb somewhere in Uganda all in the name of God; meanwhile, EcoBank was picking another accolade in the banking sector in Africa. So, why should I be bothered about what is happening to BP in the US, its shares and now its CEO Tony Hayward. The man himself has not been forthcoming as far as answering to the US Congressional Committee about the oil spill at the Macondo well on the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico is concerned.
  
  

  Robert Dudley, New BP CEO

  The news is that Hayward has been replaced by an American, Robert Dudley, as CEO—the first American at the position of the oil giant coming at a time when the US government has been bent on breaking the neck of BP come what may. I have no issues with BP having to clean up its mess in the Gulf, but I’m surprised at the turn of events. The decision to replace Hayward was made by mutual agreement, a story on yahoo news said. Of course, BP has faith in Hayward so it has given a befitting exit by planning to recommend him for a non-executive position and will pay him a year’s salary of 1.045 million pounds.
  
  The public is been made to believe the BP issue is all about safety rather than politics. Of course, safety is an issue anywhere oil rigs exist! But there is more to this one. And it would be naive to assume the change at BP was because of the public and safety alone.
  
  A statement from BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg read "The BP board is deeply saddened to lose a CEO whose success over some three years in driving the performance of the company was so widely and deservedly admired,".So why replace the guy at all? And what mutual agreement are we talking about? While speaking after his appointment, Dudley promised to focus on building relationships in Washington D.C. aside the Gulf Coast. I see the American government at work again. Get the Brit out plant the American mole.
• July 25, 2010
• 14:40

  Holiday at Ezile Bay

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I just returned from a 3-day trip--holiday actually--to Ezile Bay at Akwidaa in the Western Region of Ghana. As someone who always has a pile of work to do at the office and out of office, it couldn't have been better. But as I sit behind this computer making this entry, I know my other reality has just set in.
  
  The trip itself was scheduled with a plan for safe landing at the Green Turtle Lodge also at Akwidaa, but when I check my inbox on the morning of the trip, a mail from Coen (the man currently in charge at the venue) said they were all booked. But I still set out anyway with my news editor--with no recorders, of course. It proved worthwhile. My experience has shown that travelling without a finished plan of a destination and activities opens up a series of possibilities. So I found Ezile Bay after walking back and forth from Green Turtle Lodge to Safari on that dusty road.
  
  I feel really refreshed, and I didn't have to break my bank to have some quiet, good food (plus I love those dogs), the wonderful ocean (at night we could see Cape Three Point--where Ghana's oil is been drilled); and a wonderful big bed that costs GhC 20, 24/7 water supply, and good relaxation. I'm wondering why many Ghanaians do not do this. Anyway, I have a better post on this secret hideout at Akwidaa. So watch out!
• July 23, 2010
• 2:43

  A Stolen God and Tear Gas Canister Delivery for Children

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Over the weekend, Osu was set ablaze again. In recent months, the town has witnessed some chieftaincy disputes between the two royal houses--Owuo We and Dowuona We. The occasional disturbances has not reached the level where it could be described as protracted.
  It all started when the Owuo We family could not install a chief after several other people claimed they were rightful heirs. The Dowuona family, having witnessed the internal wranglings of Owuo We went ahead and installed a chief from their house. Now, the chieftaincy is rotated amongt the two royal houses. So that is a gist of the state of affairs.
  
  I have lived all my life mainly at Osu--I was born here and my mother is a native. I feel so sad when I see this happening to what is arguably the best town in the country--economically and administratively. Many who know Osu know only the popular Oxford Street. But there is more to this town outside its busy street filled with offices, and people.
  This past weekend, the police swooped Kinkawe--that is where the chief's palace is located--a smaller town within Osu sharing the same space with the Ohene Djan stadium, the Independence Square, the International Conference Centre and the Parliament House. The police had received reports that the current chief (it is confusing to state which one) had proceeded to perform some rituals which normally precedes the celebrations of the Homowo Festival and that some youths in the area who oppose the chief had gotten peeved at the situation.
  
  When the police appeared, they fired tear gas canisters to disperse the large crowd that had gathered. I visited my family yesterday as my mother had rung me to tell me of the incident; and, when my 10-year old brother met me at the gate to the house, he broke the story: 'The police fired tear gas and 2 children died.' My mother said she knew a lot of children were around but she heard no reports of deaths. Crazy and careless is how the action of the police can be described in the mildest terms. The God of War was reportedly stolen in the whole affair. I have witnessed the carrying of the Osu God of War on several occasions--most of it when I was a child. I know it certainly will heighten tensions the more, but my visit revealed that everything was calm.
  
  I don't know how long such senseless actions, both by the police and the older people of the area, would be allowed to linger on. But I know it has to stop. And soon!
• July 22, 2010
• 15:22

  We Ghanaians Have Good Humour, too

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I came across this in a friend's facebook pictures and I couldn't just overlook it. I kept laughing. Something had me troubled though for a while. The president is not transparent at all. I bet the oil drilling has something to do with it And I had my own doubts about education too. Reforms is the government's weakest although it has been making so much noise. An I guess I'm not the only one singing the poverty levels in Ghana. But as has been written under performance: Let's wait till the end of Dec. 2011.
• 8:33

  Frustrations : A Religion that Divides isn't Worth it

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I feel so choked presently. A friend at work has gone all out for a lady, but the lady says she is Muslim--and my friend is Christian. So, because of faith, they both cannot have what they want. A believe in a religious system is now the big block between the two young people. God I think is not stupid (otherwise he/she would not be called God) and neither is God a divisionist. So on what basis should religion or faith in a religion hinder your very value and love for another HUMAN being.
  
  When I was in my second year at the University of Ghana, I met a young beautiful woman who played handball. I was number 2 on the tennis team at the time. We became good friends. We spoke about how we liked eache other; then, she told me she cannot even date me even if she wanted to because she was a Muslim. Many people face this globally. The implications are many. While it may not be wise to condemn any religious doctrine, one thing which life has proven is that change is constant. I know of several Christian congregations which urge its membership to only enter into relationships with people in the same congregation, or convert them to their faith.
  
  I don't know why religion should limit your partner choices from a thousand to twenty. It is purely senseless. The twisted logic that a partner from the same religion would grant one a successful union; or that it would increase ones success of a good partner, that is a BIG LIE. Many relationships have succeeded amongst people of different backgrounds.
  
  When it comes to it, ones humanity should reign supreme over anything—even if it’s religion or faith—that seeks to divide people while that same things professes unification.
• July 21, 2010
• 12:47

  Dear Mr. President: Your Humble Citizen

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  
  
  I was very hungry this morning. But I know Your Excellency Professor Okunini ay3adi3yie Opambuor Agya Atta Mills fixed yourself some coffee, a slice of bread and thick fried eggs on your birthday. I know you are a man who does not let his stomach head him astray, so you will drink just a sip of Remy Martin this evening at a small party in your house, or somewhere of your choosing. Happy Birthday Mr. President
  
  I your Humble Citizen writes to you a letter unlike other letters. Because it is neither political nor does it seek to malign Your Excellency. It is a letter carrying the voice of Reason of a youth. I know you were at one point in time in your good life faced with similar challenges like I am facing now. But I can assure you, mine, and many others like me, are much worse in 2010 than yours were. As a voice of Truth and of Reason, I don't need to substantiate anything i write to you. Many young people of my time are very confused as to what is happening to them, and their future. We all know things are difficult, but we see how money comes quickly to others. I don't like to give examples because it will make it political; besides, when I was at the university, I realised that some of my colleagues were not smart enough to see an example as a little picture in a whole mosaic. I know you know what I am talking about. So, no examples. However, if you wish to see examples, your ministers will make several available upon chemical interrogation. You can also ask that woman at Makola or the security man who listens to his radio every second.
  
  Mr. President, I your Humble Citizen know that older people do not like me and others like me. They say we are lazy. But we do research at the university as undergraduates--even the good ones are not published or adopted to help improve this nation we love more. Your Excellency Oy3adi3yie, you are a professor. Even the stipends we receive at the postgraduate level--Your Excellency would remember that we don't receive scholarships in Ghana anymore like when you were like us, so that poor man's stipend should be our lifeline--is sometimes lower than the GHC 270 the National Service personnel are to receive very soon. So we are not lazy.
  
  Your Excellency Okunini, I your Humble Citizen do not want to tell you that there is a lot of rescue missions yet to be launched to save my fellow youths who are accused of being lazy, yet they stand on the hot sun to sell PK, Original Hacks, pens and pencils everyday. How can one eat from that kind of income? Your Excellency Okunini, I should not tell you how to plan your rescue mission; but, my fellow hard working youths on these streets sleep in kiosks and eye-sore brick-built houses situated close to the National Theatre and ministries. Some are very close to the colonial citadel at Osu. The rescue mission I should not tell you how to launch your mission because you have not launched it yet.
  
  Your Excellency Opambuor, I your Humble Citizen knows that you are a very intelligent man. Many young people like me who have finished university, or those who sell pens which they cannot use to write, sleep in the same houses--even rooms, or in the couches--with our parents and siblings. There is no transition from university life into adulthood of responsibility and independence, even after serving the nation for a year or after postgraduate studies. Your Very Excellency, it is our wish to live on our own, work and pay taxes. But we cannot buy any of those affordable houses you plan for the security services and the Members of Parliament and Ministers (most of the MPs and ministers we the youth know already have big houses). We the young people of this country, at no point in time have benefited from any government housing project. We cannot buy. So we the young people humbly petition you via this simple letter, which is our voice, that you build several 4 to 5 storey apartments which can save land, accommodate more of us and we will pay to live there instead of going to those greedy landlords and landladies. We know you are good but those older people do not like us. Yet we are more than 5 million and they are less.
  
  Your Excellency Oh, I your Humble Citizen need not be told of your personal sufferance and achievements. The abyss that was deliberately created even by lice in your own hair is known by us the youth--friends and foe alike. We know you will listen to our humble request to touch on the quality of our education. We will be glad if your house us like you plan to do for those who already have houses. We will even pay to get those single rooms with a toilet and bath if you build.
  
  Your Excellency Agya Atta, I your Humble Citizen, on behalf of my colleague youths, wishes to favourably see your action on our letter which is also Reason and Truth. We have rushed to put into writing our wishes so forgive the typographical errors; just know that we could write better. However, if the secretaries in your respectful office open this letter and decide to not show it to you, it will be a disappointment to you and not we the youth. 
  Happy Birthday Mr. President
  
  Your Humble Young Citizen.
• 11:03

  Mandela: A Great South African But not The Greatest in Africa

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  When Nelson Mandela was released from prison Robin Island, it was because many South Africans and so many other Africans worked together for a free South Africa—free from the Dutch and other Europeans who, in a very preposterous manner, claimed to be South Africans.He was a man committed to a better South Africa; a country that would prevent a justifiable revenge against ruthless white beasts. It was the supremacy of his humanity, his ability to rely on his brain in the interest of a wider South Africa than his emotions which could have been a destructive force.
  What if Mandela had proceeded to take for his people what was rightfully theirs from a handful of white people. Dr. Aggrey, an intellectual and formally a deputy headmaster at Achimota School in Ghana, once preached a message of reconciliation: We need the black and white keys to strike harmony. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who studied at the time Dr. Aggrey was at Achimota and saw the man as his mentor said in response to Dr. Aggrey: How can you use the black and white keys to strike harmony when both keys are not on the same level?
  When the BBC conducted its survey as to who the greatest African of the millennium was, it was a resounding yes for Kwame Nkrumah. This does not take anything away from Mandela. But given the African space, Mandela is a tiny speck. And this is a fact he admits. A fact which has led South Africa to be reserved to its small space instead of seeking the good of all Africans on the continent and without—both politically and economically. Anyone who is even slightly grounded in recent African history would know that Mandela was a man limited to South Africa—and may be one cannot fault him for it—while Nkrumah and many other Africans fought for the whole of Africa.
  But I have wondered why the rest of the world hails Mandela so much. It will be easy for me to say that the world would love a man who has been wronged; his land and people included yet sought the peace of both destroyers and the destroyed. The people who make the most noise about Mandela are from across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Just like they attempted to take the shine away from the South Africa 2010 World Cup with their little ‘Paul the Octopus,’ they have sought to claim Mandela too—may be because he did not sack those white leeches.
• July 18, 2010
• 11:45

  STX Housing Deal: An Attempt by Politicians to Rip off Ghana

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Nothing sounds more unbelievable, unmentionable yet more noticeable than a grand conspiracy to cheat the people of a nation, orchestrated by a tiny section of that nation, and carried out shamelessly in broad day.
  I have written, although not too expansively, concerning public housing in Ghana on mainly the orientation of government and the target group to be housed. In other words, which people should be the priority of government presently in Ghana as far as housing is concerned: children, the youth (18 – 45?) or the aging? Realising the focus group reveals a lot in the type of housing the government chooses to adopt. So for example, if the government decides to build detached or semi-detached 'self-contained' apartments, it should be easy to say that government is building for politicians, business gurus, and older people with monthly pay-checks of about 1,500 to 10,000 Ghana Cedis.
  In Ghana, there are a large number of youths than older people. The number of young adults looking for places to settle in order to start an honest life even with a job that pays about 300 Ghana Cedis. Those older people we must assume are married, have children, or have made enough already. So which people should government—having recognised there is a housing problem to deal with, that if it does not step in sooner its citizens would find themselves on the streets—build for when it ever decides to do so? Those who have 2 or more houses already? Or those who are employed (mostly not married) yet cannot afford a semi detached house?
  For quite some time now, almost every government which had ruled Ghana had drawn up one policy on housing or another. Some have executed their plans although it might not have been done in the best interests while others have failed miserably at it. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, knowing full well what a properly housed people meant for the development of a country, saw to the setting up of State Housing to take care of all constructions like what we want the Koreans to do in Ghana presently. Today, State Housing has been stifled, if not collapsed by these same politicians!
  Now, the present government has attempted to house the people of Ghana. The only way they thought best was to go all the way to Korea, sit down at a table with the Koreans (did our politicians drink Korean tea?), and hurriedly sign a lugubrious deal. It is important to note that many other construction companies in Ghana (including Ghanaian-owned one and probably State Housing Corporation too) could build those same buildings the politicians want the Koreans to execute. Trassaco comes to mind plus Ghana Home Loans too, especially with the kind of Housing the government wants to see built. They needn't go to Korea if they want the best for Ghana.
  Talking about the best for this country, the deal which the government signed would make the Koreans build the houses without working on the sewage system (?), road network within the vicinity, laying pipes, electricity and just leave. Just like that! Think about it again if you have seen what Trassaco and many others have done with similar constructions. I don't know what the Korean government offered to these government officials on the sides. It makes me weep so much because I know that some way along the line either one or all of those who negotiated the deal with the Koreans received BRIBES. Those we want to work on behalf of this country have a porous moral fibre and so susceptible to bribes.
  Further, we cannot say that since the government withdrew the deal from parliament it is a victory for Ghana. The opposition in parliament were very instrumental in saving this country from the pot-bellied cheats; but, I dare say they would have done what the ruling party did if they were in power too. The leadership of this country is weak. Remember how VODAFONE miraculously acquired Ghana Telecom although they had their bid thrown out during the process and they also offered less for the state company compared to what other companies (including a South African one) offered at the time. So, my point is that they subjected the STX deal to some good amount of scrutiny mainly because it would earn them some political currency too. Otherwise, tell me how a government becomes super wise only when it is in opposition.
  The politicians in this country, obviously most of them, have sworn secretly to think of themselves first although they show us all those crazy positive politeness. The kind of housing the government wants to execute will benefit less than 0.5% of the people in this country. It should not be the case that there are no other forms of building. I have shown here in an earlier post that to help more people get housing, we must build apartments and mainly storeys. If you have a wife and children or you want a bigger house, I don't see why tax-payers money should be used to help you get a cheaper house! But of course we know the people who call the shots in the end do not care about the other over 22 million people in Ghana, except when it will affect them directly.
  It certainly would not the last of many other stomach type of thinking by Ghanaian politicians as they help foreigners rip off the country. The raping would continue. Look at what is happening with our GOLD cum other minerals mined in Ghana. I don't want to believe the oil drilling has made politicians any smarter.
• July 16, 2010
• 17:00

  TMA Razes Down School Building

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Today, something sad happened once more in this country. The Tema Metropolitan Assembly razed down the Liberty Internal School located at Klagon near Lashibi. The TMA officials were on an exercise to clear all buildings situated at 'unauthorised' places. The school has over 300 students and all of them had to be driven out early this morning at 7 a.m. for the TMA to carry out the exercise. All those children had to go back to their homes barely an hour or so after leaving those very homes. Of course, the school was not the only building that was razed down this morning; but, that school had school children, the country's future, who are scheduled to write their BECE come April 2011. The Headmaster, obviously shocked at the incident, described it as a 'surprise' and said that it would affect the preparation of the students. I feel sad for those boys and girls.  In the process of doing good, and implementing the law, the TMA has committed a bigger sin against the people of this country and against the very law of the land itself. How did those buildings get built without the TMA seeing the construction at one stage or the other? The TMA gives permit to all building, commercial and public, before they are built (or is that not the law?). I mean it would seem foolish to suggest that the TMA does not have completel oversight as to the activities happening on its own area. If we want our actions to be beyond anyone's reproach, we ourselves must think through those actions. There is no way I'd support the destruction of a school building when the government is struggling to even find tables and chairs to fill those existing ones.
• 3:04

  Considering 30% Quota System for Women in Ghana

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I am all for equity in this country. As far as I am concerned, the only way we can develop as a nation is to distribute wealth equaly, those who work harder get more but those without work must be carried along. It should however never be the playground where unqualified, incompetent and lazy people lie around doing nothing productive yet receive something because of their state--be it poverty, race or gender.
  
  At an IEA organised programme, some women in politics advocated a 30% quota sytem at the Assembly and District levels, parliamentary and ministerial positions, as well as institutions like the Bank of Ghana.
  Currently, there are 19 women in Ghana's parliament of 230 seats, a disappointing 12 out of 164 are Municipal and District Chief Executives, 8 out of 37 ministers of state are women; 6 out of a total of 25 Chief Directors are women and on 3 women are on the Council of State.
  The figures speak for themselves as far as Ghana's politics is concerned.
  As to why we are where we are today (although progress has been made), I'll leave that to the gender equality researchers to connect things. But we must act and also act fast.
  
  The age where women only point fingers at 'ghost' men who they allege deliberately fraught women's efforts should be shut! Nothing comes easy. And if you doubt, I will tell you the story of a man who wanted to be an Assembly Member at Osu!
  However, there are places where the changes can be made consciously. I remember President Mills talk of making 40% of his cabinet women. He has so far failed miserably. And the number of women in parliament reduced from 25 to 19 during the 2008 general elections. The question is why couldn't the president live up to his promises?
  
  I do not think there is a man wielding a machete ready to decapitate any woman aspiring for a position. It takes a personal decision and strong will to enter and lobby for the positions--and no man or woman will do it for you. I hailed Serwaa Donkor when she was elected SRC president of the University of Ghana Legon SRC--the first female to occupy the position. Her record in the end: Touring women functions and dining with self-acclaimed feminists; student unrests and weakening of the student front; and, leaving office without organising a successful election! I voted for her and was disappointed. But if another woman convinces me again at anytime to vote again, I will be ever willing to do so. I just do not know of the many others out there.
  
  If things are to change: we should deliberately institutionalise equality (including funds generation for women by political parties); political parties shold field more women; women should be forthcoming and self-willing(the time where you want to get their opinion on national issues and they 'chicken out'should not exist any longer); and mixed schools which have male and female senior prefects should stop calling the male prefect as head prefect!
• July 15, 2010
• 18:32

  African Wear from AfroChic at your Doorstep

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I read a very beautiful post from Tagoe on 5 Reasons Why you Would Love AfroChic. He calls the king of clothing sold at the online shop Afro-centric. I do not know what that term means exactly in describing a clothing, but I figured it has something to do with the design and fabric used in making the clothing. It has always been my fancy to have a 'Friday wear' as my everyday wear. Those of you who have forgotten, former president Kufuor, in his bid to whip up interest in local product (call it domestictation but I was all for it), introduce a national directive that required every public worker to be in a Ghanaian-made clothing or clothing made from Ghanaian fabric.
  As I have said, I wish it was everyday. It was a good start though. So Tagoe's post goes a long way to remind me to check an online shop called AfroChic, which is managed by 2 Ghanaian ladies, Esi Cleland and Adwoa Perbi, and sells Afrocentric Clothing. I suggest you also take a look at the site and buy something from there wherever you are.
  The company offer refunds just in case you are not happy with the purchase made, and delivers it within 2 working days. My worry has always been that clothing made here are expensive. My thinking has been always that those who sell these Ghana-made clothing have a European or American customer in mind. But at AfroChic, the most expensive 'shadda' or dress 'does not cost more than GhC 40' in Tagoe's words. And there is variety just like we Africans are. From GTP to Batik! SO go now and click AfroChic!
• 15:07

  Why Sack Sekou for Incompetence

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Each day, this country continues committing political suicides--I am not a fun of the political system that is been ran in Ghana, and many other parts of Africa.
  Today, news broke out that the Co-ordinator of the National Youth Council, Dr. Sekou Nkrumah had been sack by the president. The reason(s) for the sacking is still unclear although it has been linked to 'non-performance' and 'incompetence.'
  I know it is still hot, and controversial, but I still feel I must give my opinion on this issue for a couple of resons. One, because Sekou spoke his mind (as published in the Africa Watch magazine) about the performance of the president before he was sacked. Two, because I am a young man and I don't know why Sekou should be sacked while no one has been sacked for not passing the Youth Bill.
  
  As a Ghanaian, I feel disappointed by the president who says he is loving, and above all, an ACADEMIC. What every academic learns quick enough is to tolerate views, especially on their performance, and criticisms. By this singular action, the president has failed in this direction. And please don't tell me Sekou's sacking has nothing to do with his opinion on the president! The director of Communications at the presidency was on Citi fm this morning saying Sekou is entitled to his views, but he got sacked.
  The president has been vindictive. Period!
  
  How can you sack someone for non-performance and incompetence when there is no standard for measuring such a thing? How come someone and his team work to bring a bill before parliament only for parliament to throw it out as usual asking the Youth Council to rework it! DOES THIS MEAN THAT IF YOU HOLD A POLITICAL OFFICE YOU CANNOT SPEAK OPENLY ABOUT YOUR VIEWS CONCERNING GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNANCE??? Sekou was frustrated by this but I was not because those who lead this country are incapable on various levels. They can only take decisions when it affects them directly. After all, did government need a committee--or their all-new-favourite word, a Task Force--to sack Sekou? But they did when they had to help flood victims! The politicians of this country are still not serious!
• July 14, 2010
• 16:40

  Affordable Housing yet NOT-Affordable

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Life after school is teaching me hard, the hard stuff. Of late, i care less about all those economic figures thrown about by politicians. The debate on the STX housing project and the inflation drop makes me frown.
  I have heard of this affordable housing thing for far too long, but it has never been affordable (one costs 11,000 to 25,000 Ghana Cedis). How can the younger people in this country afford such houses without they having to deal in drugs and robbery? And trust me, there are a lot more younger people out there than those old politicians. So?
  
  I think more of affordable housing, one in which I could get for my alone self for the period which I intend to do my National Service and possibly till I employ myself, secure a job or get admission for dto do postgraduate studies. But it will not happen when these 2 to 4 bedroom houses continue to be built in the name of affordable housing.
  Reason will not prevail on us to build a university of Ghana styled apartments, one storey providing 516 rooms, affordable, and for young people. It will not happen and because I know, it doesn't pain me too much!
  
  But I'm listening to an audio clip of one student (after they could not travel to South Africa to watch the World Cup because, allegedly, some members of the ruling party took their place) saying that one minister says he is a fisherman and therefore cannot be intimidated! It makes me laugh!
• 10:44

  2 PRESEC Students Shoplift, but Caught

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Two students of the Presbyterian Secondary School at Legon (PRESEC) attacked a supermarket, brutally beat up the shop keeper, dump the man into a refrigerator, and tried shoplifting.
  In the process, one of the students was caught while the other managed to escape. Why do the boys want money? And what for!
  
  I remember I blogged sometime ago concerning some students at Asikuma Odoben getting pregnant, anyhow! Just last week, there was a newspaper report in which one Professor S.K. Danso bashed the 'elderly' in Ghana for failing the 'younger' generation.
  I'm bringing all these up to show that these incidents are not happening by chance--they are not isolated cases, but rather are happening all across Ghana.
  
  Sadly, we cannot stick up our necks and say that our social fabric is weakening; that we are failing at holding our families together, a core part of our functioning as a people. At this stage, we do not know what we expect of our youth or the direction in which we want them to go. No POLICY still!
  
  When I spoke to the Headmaster of PRESEC today concerning the two students, he confirmed that they were students of PRESEC, but have attended classes only twice the whole term. That says a lot about family life in Ghana presently, especially when those two boys are 'day students.'
• July 13, 2010
• 18:53

  The Rawlingses; Politicians; Milking Ghana Dry

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  When news broke out early February this year that the residence of the Rawlingses had been burnt down to ashes, I wrote of my suspicions. I wrote concerning how we as a people should move away giving away our meagre resources to men and their families who already have lived off our monies. I wrote concerning the nature of the Rawlingses (it is my belief that most of the time they are up to something mischievous)--some members of the ruling National Democratic Party do not trust that the former first family wish President Mills well.
  
  But let me go back to the issue of a new residence for the former first family. A colleague at the university of Ghana postulated that there seems to be some underhand dealing as far as the burnt ridge residence of the former first family was concerned and they getting a new residence. Earlier last week, the former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings granted an interview to Joy fm in Accra in which she spoke widely about how her family life has been affected after they lost the ridge residence. I couldn't help laughing. I hated that my almost 5-month old prophecy that the former first family would demand a new residence from government, and the people of this country, was coming to pass. The rest, we all live to see.
  
  As a country, we should wipe off the letters in the constitution that give those 3 or more houses plus cars etc to people who have served this country. My opinion is that if they love this country well enough like I do, they would allow those monies to be used in ensuring the people of this country get good and safe drinking water, a place to 'ease' themselves (if they get to eat at all), schools etc. Things they couldn't provide while they had access to the resources to do so!
  The MPs who have been in parliament for more than 2 terms and yet receive monies for new cars each term should know how indisciplined and 'useless' they have proved themselves and the institutions in which they find themselves today.
  As for as I'm concerned, if Ghanaians do not wake up to challenge these extortions cladded as constitutional provisions, which seek to make a few people rich and the larger populace poor, these men and women who have lived off our pittance will continue to dare ask for more. More than Oliver Twist!
• July 12, 2010
• 2:58

  The Tragedy of a Single Story

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I listened to this lecture by Chimamanda Adichie, the young Nigerian novelist, on 'the danger of a single story' on TEDX via a link I found on Kajsa's blog. How others in the world, especially Europe who think the African story, even in the sense of a novel, is a group of malnutritioned children. It reminds me so much of an article written by the Kenyan writer, Binyavanga Wainaina, in GRANTA in which he writes quite ironically about how to write about Africa It is not that it malnutritioned children don't exist, or never have, but that it is just a small part of the many storylines.
  
  You should listen to a little history she renders here. The African narrative of poverty and beasts inhabiting a large land mass as STARTED BY EUROPEAN, THEIR INTELLECTUALS and WRITERS including the man John Locke we now read in schools here. Sad. But it is good because we in Africa are privileged to hear different stories.
  
  As a writer, I know what it means to read only one thing and the tragedy therein. But that is exactly what Europe and the United States of America wants to do to its citizens. Tell a single story over and over and it becomes what you want it to be. I find it interesting that Chimamanda links power to the whole thing: the ability to tell the stories of other people.
  
  Chimamanda tells a young man who came to her and spoke about a character in her novel who is an abusive man in effect that young student said 'It is such a shame that Nigerian men are abusive.' Chimamanda retorts 'I have read ...American Psycho and it is such a shame that young Americans are serial murderers.' I say god one to all those lame people elsewhere who are not ashamed to call themselves intellectuals after behaving like that little student. But who do you blame?
• 2:12

  Silencing the Vuvuzelas in Uganda

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  So all things ended, we can have some quiet. In Uganda, it will not be just quiet that they will have, but one filled with sorrow and deep sadness. Something like a bomb (like a bomb because police have not determined the cause yet) set one of those large football watching centres ablaze causing massive panic and death. Why Uganda and why after the World Cup, I don't know. But it is sad and it is what I woke up to.
  If you live in Uganda, every morning, during this whole World Cup tourney, you would hear the 'fufu-sellers' (a play on words done by a colleague poet, Andy Aryeetey, for vuvuzela) loud. But not this morning because we are all mourning.
  
  My disappointment is this: We could have had better football at the final as yesterday's game looked more like an opening match than a befitting final match. I know many Ghanaians took out the Dutch and place the Stars there instead in a play on the mind. But congratulations to the Spanish. Some are talking about Brazil in 4 years to come. It's amazing how we now have created a modern 'gladiatorium' similar that of ancient Rome with Sepp Blatter as the emperor and we clamouring for blood, more blood. I think one columnist did this comparison already.
  
  My second disappointment is this: There was a conscious effort by Europe to take the world's attention off South Africa with Germany introducing an octopus with a Christian name, Paul. This Paul-The-Octopus moves to two containers which contains food, each embossed with the national flags of the two playing teams; if it picks the food from one container, it means that team will win the match in South Africa. I know when the media in Europe and America talk of mysticism, superstition etc, they point their fingers at Africa saying it is why it has not had 'accelerated growth.' But here Europeans are in full practice of their ancient art and it is all good. I think we should kill this octopus and eat it for what it is; scream to Europe saying: IT IS JUST AN OCTOPUS SO STOP THE SUPERSTITIOUS DANCES!
  
  But I still, the only things I remember after this world Cup are the African effort (I loved the closing ceremony before the final match could mar my memories), a few great matches stuck in my mind and the gross injustice of murder done to 60 (and still counting) of my African sisters and brothers, the Ugandans. If anything more, I have loved the Jabulani, the Vuvuzela, and the lovely young girl on my DSTV screen screaming /ki na kow/!
• July 09, 2010
• 17:45

  A Football Nation is Tragic for National Development

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Pal, see we should stop the nonsense in Ghana (I think elsewhere in Africa too). If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you would have noticed by now that I'm totally against the showering of money on one sport in this country. Ghana has been a one-sport nation for nearly 10 years now. And the most annoying thing? this sport says it is independent of government (unlike the others like boxing, tennis, basketball, table tennis all played in Ghana) yet government continues to pour tax-payers money into this football.
  
  I hear you say it unites us. Yes I say, YES! Fake patriotism that lasts for a month come every 2 years. So what are we talking about? There is no water, still. ECG cannot promise constant supply of electricity even in Accra. School? And pal, I love the KVIP thing. There's less of it so people queue just to empty their bowels, even in Accra! My friend Tagoe has written his post on this like any Ghanaian would do; but, I have chosen the Chuck Kofi Wayo way of been blunt.He even links it to education. Man, I'm all for 30% or more of the national budget going into education. Sorry Tagoe, the politicians are busy buying 4x4 vehicles and more houses for themselves.
  
  So the president decides to spend $20,000 on each player of the Black Stars--plus the technical team too i guess--when many Ghanaians cannot eat (I'll bring you the story of a young uncle I visited on Monday so remind me). Where is the priority? I could imagine how many tennis tournaments that amount could organise. Or boxing, or table tennis or badmington at the Ohene Djan stadium. But guess what? The Sports Council (sorry, I should call them Football Council since that is what they have become) destroys one full tennis court, clears all the basketball courts, and turns the space into a car park for football games! That is how unthinking these people are!
• 16:48

  Balancing the Earth: Physical, Mystical, Cosmic

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  A comment from Evgeny in Russia--a long way off my little abode in Accra--has made me to want to reflect a bit on what life could be, indeed it happens in snapshots sometime. Just this evening while in the newsroom, 3 men walked in--2 of them dressed in long white robe and 1 in black overalls. I immediately thought they were Muslims. My station has a programme on Islam, and the host is a lovely man.
  
  They wanted to know if they were in the studio (obviously they were in the wrong room); I stood up, away from my duties, and walked them downstairs to the studio. I left them as they filled in the guest form. As I turned to leave, one of the men, the one in black, called out to me.
  "What is your name?"
  "Nana Yaw."
  "Nana Yaw what?" he pursued further.
  "Nana Yaw Sarpong." i said mildly showing a little smile to the left of my lips.
  "I'm Rafique" he said with a force. I tried pronouncing his name, but with difficulty.
  "Ra-fique" the man in black said once more placing more stress on the last syllables on his name. He then went on to introduce the other two men.
  "He is a medical doctor; he is a native doctor; and, I am a spiritual doctor. Hahahahahaha!"
  I joined him.
  
  His circle was complete. The physical. The mystical. The cosmic.
  
  I started to think of unity among the element. How things worked out perfectly for the peaceful co-existence of things on this planet! I wondered how we're so distorted nowadays; and, I wondered how humans have stretched out and messed up this world, throwing things out of balance. i like things out of balance sometimes. It makes me think that someone is thinking, at least.
  But I'm talking about how all things, how all options must be sort out if we are to find a good solution for all of us.
• July 07, 2010
• 6:42

  Thumbs Up for Chuck Wayo

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Under no circumstances must anyone, or any institution feel untouchable, pompous. It is not a thing that will help this country--I mean the people who gave the powers to these people of the bodies. It must not happen that when an institution set up by the people will have a select of society use the same institution to shield themselves--shield themselves from responding to any citizen's worries or fears or criticisms. It shall not happen that they should hide away their inactions under the protective arms of the institution.
  And who says positive defiance is not good? A strong stance for the demand of personal freedom to speak should be judged as irresponsible is not good enough. I remember some time back, an MP--the 'Honourable' K.T. Hammond--made a statement about the GBC boss, William Ampem Darko, that the man presided over foolishness. The lawmaker calling a professional a fool, presiding over foolishness. The GBC boss was annoyed at the direct attack and showed up in parliament, furious. The MPs have insulted so many good citizens of this country and no one has dared dragged them to their 'supremo' body, the Privileges Committee.
  We should not have a completely immune body, never. Just like we should all be responsible. I think parliament is trying to boss everyone around when they cannot even see to the provision of social service (not even KVIPs) or even remember laws that they pass! Chuck is speaking the minds of many Ghanaians.
  So I join Chuck in asking: 'Who gave them the privileges?'
• July 05, 2010
• 15:52

  The EHALAKASA Poetry Talk Party

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  So last night, another powerful edition of the Poetry Talk Party took place at the usual location, Nubuke Foundation at East Legon. Of course, I proceeded to the hottest grounds on Sundays after Open Air Theatre on Radio Univers 105.7 fm. Here is a post from Talk Party thanking all those who were present at yesterday's event.
  
  Thanks to all you wonderful who people who made it to last night's EHALAKASA TALK PARTY + PLUS. What can we say also to the performers! hahahahaha... Bingooo... Our love goes out to the curtain raisers: Ajewoda Okumkaka, the word, power and sound man Nii Lantey and the man on the instrument from Mexico 'wooooo' what a show!!! I call that African classic with urban style.
  
  This was followed by the classic voice CRYSTAL TETTEY catching the almost full audience to come along with her to heaven; then, the empress NANA NYARKO BOATENG who was not very much of herself from the beginning but did what Jezebel could not have done in an audience like the one you will see at Nubuke Foundation.
  If you have not seen her perform before don't missssssssss next two weeks’ event on the 18th of July. Followed by his royal blackness SIR BLACK in a freestyle flow with the word "Point”
  
  "where is the point here when there is no point to raise a point in other to have a point to start a point to make a point..." And on and on and on...
  
  Then it rotated like that again with more power and sound for about 45minute; you just should have been there. Then there was a BREAK to visit the only user contributed BAR in Accra. Do you want to know the BAR MAN? Come see, the BAR arena is also a performance ground on its own.
  
  After almost 15minuntes of break the second part of the +PLUS SAW SOMETHING ELSE. In one voice let's shout the words "4nothingarakwa." Can you say that "FOR-NOTHING-ARA-KWA" we had THE INKRANPAN man aka JAHWI with Shaka doing some amazing ‘collabo.’ Also the Nana Tsito lady Rita in ‘collabo’ with Nii Lantey in some sentimental performance that took the audience by surprise(the first of its kind at Nubuke).
  
  There are more details that you should know but let's say we should meet again in two weeks. There were more new faces this time around; so, thumbs up for all you guys and hope to see you again. Don't ask how the show ended, it just ended at the end and it was ended. Remember, come with a friend, a drink or BOTH.
  
  EHALAKASA! IT LIVES IN US.
  
  The Poetry Talk Party is a group of poets who meet every fortnight on Sundays at the Nubuke Foundation at East Legon.
• 15:32

  Kenyan MPs Want to Steal from Kenyans?

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  My intention is to blog a series of articles on political history, its relevance for us in Africa and its bearing on me (and people like me) as an African. Of course, I will intersperse it with extra news and my viewpoints on those. My initial plan was to say something to Henry Louis Gates, the African literature professor, who admits he knows less of Africa's history and yet has stirred passions by creatively shifting blame to Africans saying they were complicit in the Atlantic slave trade, thus deserve no reparation. What I want to say is still in the cooking.
  
  So to Kenya I go now. Quite disappointingly, yet not surprising, those MPs in the East African country have once again made attempts at allocating huge sums of money to themselves in the form of wages. It is not the first time they have chosen such an avaricious path at the expense of the larger poor.
  
  This time around, they intend to make themselves the best-paid politicians in the world. A few individuals who have been given the mandate to pass laws now use the power to increase the size of their pot bellies. If these MPs thievery is allowed to go through, it would mean they would each earn up to $126,000 (£84,000) after tax. Raila Odinga has kicked against the 18% pay rise and my understanding is that cabinet is to deliberate on the issue. And the Central Organisation of Trade Union has threatened to go on a week strike if the greedy parliamentarians have their wish!
  
  Here we are talking about people who have come to serve the people, they receive numerous perks and allowances (in Ghana that would include the Toyota four-wheel drive and cheap loans) which includes $370 (£250) just for turning up in parliament. And they now want their basic pay to be $44,000 (£29,000) a year.
  
  Kenyans are against this mad greediness! I wonder why sometimes we do ourselves in. Why we steal from ourselves, watch other foreigners also steal from us and do nothing. It is all too funny for me to laugh!
• July 04, 2010
• 21:47

  He did not know where his Bluetooth was?

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  So last night on my way to the Nubuke Foundation--that was after I had finished hosting Open Air Theatre--my phone rang "riddle riddle...riddle riddle..." A bloke who was crossing the street called out to me:
  "Bros, you fit send me dat song?"
  "I'm in a hurry" was my response.
  
  He walked sluggishly towards me, I stopped ensure of what he was to say next. I didn't know why I had stopped anyway.
  I took my phone out, searched for the Kevin Beats song from my playlist and started browsing for bluetooth devices. None.
  
  "Your bluetooth is off" I asked obviously surprised.
  "I no know where e dey"
  Surprised, I took the phone from him (he was using one of those China imitated phones on the market) and got his bluetooth on. I started sending the song, but I was in for more surprises. The guy asked me "Why is the song not playing?"
  "I'm now sending" I said pointing at the loading seek on my phone.
  "Oh I no get credit" he gasped.
  "You don't need credit to receive a song via bluetooth." My confusion was abundant. I had met a guy, in his late 20's I suppose, who lived in Accra, knows where Osu is, owns a phone, does not know where his bluetooth is and thinks he needs a phone credit to receive a multimedia file! I was shocked.
  
  Then my nightmare continued on the night. "Can you make it ring when people call me?"
  As I scrolled through his profile, assigning the song as a ringtone to his dual sims, he asked again.
  "Do you have to do all that just to make it ring when they call?"
  
  I left to Nubuke that night pondering over what was obviously like a joke to me, but an underestimation of what the capital holds for us.
• July 02, 2010
• 17:34

  Gyan is Still A Hero

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I will make this as short as possible. Ghana is sad. Africa is sad. Football lovers are sad!
  On a a night of surprises, the trickery the continent has played on other nations in this World Cup so far has come to rest on the shoulders of the landowners, albeit via the interference of the devilish workings of a foreigner.
  
  My own mysticism during all of Ghana's matches was that each time I killed a mosquito in the Radio Univers studio, the Stars scored. Today, I did it twice but we lost that last penalty still. My friend who's turned 21 today predicted a 2-1 win for Ghana, but it was not to be so! We can use the 50,000 USD promised each player for something yet better. I suggest books for children.
  
  However, that Uruguayan defender, Luis Suarez, who literally handed out the ball to prevent Ghana's defender Dominic Adiyiah's header in the last minute of extra-time period obviously deserves something bitter than the red card he received.
  There is nothing more surprising, goal.com still has nothing much or better on Ghana's match. Instead, they are still flashing letters on the dead match between Brazil and the Netherlands. Nonsense! Now that there is no African team left, they can go ahead with their mad, selective journalism!
  
  It's over and we cannot reverse anything. All heroes have their moment of blackout. Asamoah Gyan goes down as a hero, nothing more nothing less; And so does his compatriots for they have done us proud. I'm a sportsman and I know how these moments feel like when a player loses.
  
  But we leave with one bold message: WE WILL BE BACK TO PUSH HISTORY ONCE AGAIN
• 14:12

  Bring it on Stars! GO!

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I have my heart released at the moment, for the Stars and for the Dutch, who hopefully when we finish off the Uruguayans tonight, we'll maul them in a revenge they are yet to see ever in their lifetime.
  
  There is no turning back now for any of us who truly believe in the young bloods, that they are currently the only team playing football, and playing as a team. The Stars shall continue their show this evening. I am exceptionally glad that the Brazilians have been taught a lesson of a lifetime, that they do not own the World Cup (as they disrespect almost every team). Their match today against the Netherlands showed the absence of character. As a team who have gone down for the first time in this tournament, they proved incapable of rising to the occasion.
  
  But this evening will be for those motivated more; it will be for those who are more disciplined more; it will be a night of triumph for the gallant Stars.
  And surely, I will sit drinking while quoting Kojo Laing: "And what was joy anyway, but a movement of brain energy." Unfortunately for the Uruguayans, pain too is!
• 11:14

  2011 AHP Fellowships in Ghana

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  The African Humanities Program Fellowships under the auspices of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), University of Ghana and funded by the Carnegie Corporation has launched its 2011 fellowships at the Africa Wetlands at the University of Ghana.
  
  This year's awardees came mainly from Nigeria. My own lecturer--the woman who supervised my work as an undergrad--Dr. Jemima Anderson of the department of English at the university of Ghana was named as the 2010 'Award Winner - Ghana' for her research which she is to undertake titled Politeness: Some Perspectives from Africa. As a fresh convert of Pragmatics (i got converted while working on the project Structure of Politeness in Women and Men in Radio Phone-ins), I'm a real fun of the woman.
  
  The gathering is about the largest collection of real scholars contributing to the African body of knowledge that I have ever been privileged to be among. Listening to some of the Dissertation Fellows and Post-Doctoral Fellows outline their work, largely focusing on methodology, I couldn't help thinking about when I'll get back in there again with my own research. The reviewers' comments on the draft proposal, those that did not win the awards, were informing.
  
  The Conference will end tomorrow with a special dinner for all award winners, Fellows, Invited Senior Scholars and ACLS Representatives.
  The AHP Fellowships accepts applications in December each year and awards academics who want to do research that will lead or contribute to the body of knowledge in Africa.
• June 30, 2010
• 18:02

  FWSC Still to Push Ahead with Single Spine Salary Structure

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is set to go ahead with the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) come July 1--tomorrow. This comes in the wake of several outcries from various institutions like the University Teachers Association, UTAG, National Association of Graduate Teachers, NAGRAT, and a section of the public.
  
  A background to this policy would have it that several inconsistencies existed in the salaries which many public workers received which may or may not be commensurate with their jobs and its performance. Other salary structures have existed in the past including the universal salary structure.
  
  Generally, the policy appears to be a good one for country and rewarding to those who perform their duties. But there are still challenges with this new structure which I fear must be addressed lest the structure be aborted later, prematurely. Some of these problems, many of the institutions which come under the policy have already expressed. All the complaints assemble at one key issue, at least: JOB EVALUATION and less less information on the policy as far as the public is concerned.
  
  How do we know we have assessed, properly, Mr. A's job and he deserved a certain amount of pay? UTAG, for example, is not satisfied with the level it was put so the association has asked for a re-valuation. The SSSS has 25 levels in all. Meanwhile, NAGRAT has expressed support for the policy but has pushed for re-evaluation of jobs.
  
  However, some union workers fear the problems of the old policies still rage madly in this new one and a strike action should not be deemed inconceivable should the commission not address the concerns of these unions.
• 0:48

  SA, to the Aid of Blacks

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  South Africa is set to announce a new mining charter which is expected to see to more black ownership in the rainbow country. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, many black South Africans have complained bitterly against mistreatment etc.
  
  We have seen the worst, the extent to which these disadvantaged would go--even to the point of chasing out other Africans who go to South Africa to take up jobs, xenophobia. It is not too good considering the amount of funds the mining sector generates.
  
  Some have said that if South Africa could build infrastructure in such a short time for the World Cup--even here many poor South Africans, mainly traders, have complained angrily that they have been pushed aside--why hasn't that happened for many other South Africans?
  In Ghana, foreign mining companies continue to take the gold away. Indeed, it is the case in many other countries where foreign companies steal and their governments turn around dare say it to the face of Africans that they have a lot of resources yet are not 'developed.'
  
  But all the above will not be my issue. How will this new measure in South Africa help, really? Is it the best way? Is South Africa advocating more black ownership (shareholder, managers and things like that) simply because of the wrongs of apartheid or because the blacks in their own land have rights like the whites? It will be sad for Africa is the former were true. We have seen what a man's love for his nation can do in Zimbabwe. Hate it or love it, Mugabe remains, in principle, a better option of self-development, choice and direction! The last man standing against dictatorship Europe and America (his government may not be good to my taste).
  
  So how can Ghana, Nigeria, DR Congo (which celebrates its independence) and other with resources protect its resources and exploit ti for its people first and others later? South Africa introduced a charter like that in 2004, but much has not happened. I have more bigger questions yet my answer is simple: PURPOSE AND LOVE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ALL THE PEOPLE AND THE CONTINENT!
• June 29, 2010
• 13:07

  A Poem: Poetry Workshop

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  So in case you missed the Poetry Workshop organised by the Writers of Ghana Project at the University of Ghana over the weekend, here is a sample of work which I produced for the workshop. Titled less appropriately as 'The Second Time,' it does what I didn't expect it to do at the time of composition! Enjoy
  
  
  
  The Second Time
  
  
  The possibilities lie in our hands.
  We should not drop them when the winter
  Sets in, when the sun scorches, and
  Leaves us with slippery fingers
  For on such many nights, your stomach—
  It will knot screaming on a lonely mountain:
  
  Fear is a strange visitor lurking at the back
  Never courageous to come in full glare
  
  When dusty winds blow into our eyes
  We wait, weary, yet our oars remain strong
  Touching the Atlantic, connecting our minds
  Knowing full well that our paths
  Shall dare to hug
  Even if, for
  A
  Short
  Space
  Of
  Breath
• June 28, 2010
• 18:42

  The Jungle Attitude of American Politics and Economics

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I'm going to be real quick on this one. It just came to me that I've been tossing the idea for a while now since I first read it in the 'Public Agenda' newspaper. Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, obviously pissed about something, was out there pouring all his knowledge about economic against one lame American who writes for Forbes magazine. I understand another of a similar article occurred in the Wall Street Journal.
  
  What all the articles had in common was a grand design to drag Ghana's name in the mud. Where else to do it better than in a so-called highly democratic society, and the media. If you do not know, much of the bad image of Africa has been so thanks to an excellent western/american media.
  Apparently, the American oil company, Kosmos/their crude government is upset about the fact that Ghana wants to buy back the shares in the Jubilee oil field while the American company wants to sell it to another American company, Exxon Mobil. The government of Ghana has every right to protect national assets just like America did in the case of Unocal when they pressured the company into selling at a lower price to an American company instead the higher price bidder. Guess what, it was a Chinese company!
  
  So here come the cheating Americans again! I will not write much about this as many others have expressed my feeling and disappointment at the MONKEY TACTICS the Americans are using. Bensah has touched on it too. If you missed, you can check out the article in Forbes yourself. Written as if it were scholarly but lacks what makes writing of such a calibre. The data is in shambles; the choice of data is highly questionable.
  
  But not like I'm expecting anything better from America. We beat them in football anyway!!
• 10:06

  Thinking Football, Still

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  So the Stars have proved many people wrong. The list is long: goal.com, Farayi Mungazi of the BBC, the so-called football pundits or commentators. The issue is simple, football is not mathematics so no one can be certain, absolutely not!
  To start with, defending champions Italy plus former World Cup finalist, France, have both exited the World Cup at the group stage been shown the way out by 'little' Slovakia; Spain has shown poor football; Cameroon lost to Japan and Denmark; and the over-emphasised Wayne Rooney scored nothing at the tourney! What makes Rooney or Torres better than Asamoah Gyan?
  
  Listening to commentary and after-match analysis makes me sick sometimes. Many of these 'only talk' journalists have bashed the African teams at the World Cup for not scoring. Thy made all their conclusions based on the group stages alone. Meanwhile, every follower of football would reckon that all that is needed at such a stage was qualification, not many goals! France left the tourney scoring only one goal. There's just no sense in this. South Africa scored more goals than Ghana did at the group stages, but Ghana is in the quarter-finals. I think a win is all that matters and if the Africans teams are not winning (for example, Cameroon has been poor in terms of their football) we must talk about why they are not doing it.
  
  Another thing that I've also heard from these 'talk only' journalists is that the World Cup has been boring. This is because they expected the so-called favourites like Spain, France, Italy etc to be scoring against Slovakia, Switzerland, South Africa etc. But that has not happened and they feel like it's doomsday for their useless predictions. So I have two thing to say to them: Africa is a land of surprises and the strange; it respects nobody so get used to it and move on. To those peddling the goal conundrum, get off Africa's back because Ghana has shown that it takes a goal and discipline to win. Not 10 goals!
• June 25, 2010
• 15:14

  A Day and Half Poetry Workshop in Accra

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Tomorrow, the Ghana Writers' Project will roll out yet another of its poetry/literary workshops. This is the third time this year alone that the group has put together a workshop of this nature. The two previous ones focused on poetry and fiction writing in general.
  
  As has been the norm, patrons of the workshops have been mainly people already writing one thing or the other. This time around the organisers have dubbed the event Poetry Marathon which will ran for A Day and Half.
  
  Although it would be very helpful if your're already writing before you attend, all are cordially invited to the University of Ghana Legon Hall Reading Room. The workshop commences at 9 a.m. and closes for the day at 4 p.m. to continue the following day at 1 p.m. Date is 26-27--tomorrow, Saturday to Sunday. For more information visit kpokplomaja.com or indicate to me here.
• 14:38

  Prying a Strange Yet Familiar Territory

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  If I were told that Ghana is less radical in terms of politics, and change, my attitude would be that of disbelief. Similarly would my inner senses rebel the thought of intolerance as far as governance, politics and opinions are concerned.
  
  Apparently that kind of Ghana, as I have conceived earlier is on the low, slowly vanishing. It makes me sad. It makes me lose hope of the possibility of experimenting change and veering the development of this country into recently unfamiliar territories.
  Sekou Nkrumah--a Ghanaian and African and son of the first president of the republic of Ghana--in the spirit of an intellectual who perhaps wants the better of this country challenged the status quo like the few great women and men who have lived in this country, as well as other places. He feared he's fight in the early 90's for multi-party democracy in Ghana may not have paid off.
  Sekou thought that it would be worth considering a unity form of governance, call it a one-party state!
  
  I read something in the Daily Guide, I believe, where the writer pointed to Sekou's father's achievement and thought in the direction of a one-party state in the interest of rapid development. Thinking carefully about the issue, what we have adopted as multi-party has tended to be irrationally divisive and retrogressive indeed. One party wins power and focuses on landing cash into the pockets of its supporters while the other inveighs that party in power. As if things would change for the better, when the opposition gets into power, they behave similarly or worse.
  
  So isn't it time for a change? After all, it is on record that the level and quality of development that took place under Nkrumah, aside vision, has so far been unmatched! It was a unified vision although under one man. What Sekou is asking of us Ghanaians is to consider an alternative system. We can create and a rational radical people.
  Let us not sit back while these voracious leeches suck this country's blood dry only because we allowed our thinking and creativity to tarry in fear of the unknown, yet familiar.
• June 24, 2010
• 15:05

  Tennis Match lasts 11 hours 5 Minutes at Wimbledon

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Amidst football, I switch the DSTV channel to watch tennis. Since the French Open in 2004, a match which i watched live, I have not seen such a tennis duel like what happened in Wimbledon yesterday. That French Open match between Fabrice Santoro and Arnaud Clement lasted for 6 hours 33 minutes.
  
  The match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut defied history in many ways spanning a period of 3 days to be completed. It was history in itself. In my estimation, matches that happen that way are usually cricket matches, you know.
  The match last for about 11 hours 5 minutes before Isner ran away with a 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68 victory. And this was not a Grand Slam finals; it was just in the first round so you can imagine.
  Of course, both Mahut and Isner broke Ivo Karlovic's record of highest number of aces in a match (78 aces) with Mahut clocking 103 aces while Isner did the magical 112. That should explain why they both set a record as the longest set ever, longest match, most games in a match and most games in a set.
  
  We hardly get great moments like this.
• June 23, 2010
• 18:26

  We Tell the Story of the Stars

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  This is my very first post on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. I have refused to post anything on it because it would be insignificant, there was nothing interesting to post (other than the others I have done on the topic before the commencement of the tournament early this June) and also because I think we have put foolishly all our eggs in one basket as far as sports is concerned.
  
  But this time I could not resist the urge. The Ghana Black Stars have proved once again that they are the bearers of light on this huge continent. Aside the disappointing 'performance' from Cameroon, Algeria, and the Nigerian madness (I pray the Ivorians score the 7 or more goals), it's only Ghana that stands at the top of the mountain. Kudos to South Africa and better luck next time. They have learnt that experience counts in sports, more so football.
  
  Tonight's match against Germany was a nervy one; yet, it remains as Ghana's best performance so far in the tournament, albeit the Stars lost to Germany by a lone goal. I think losing tonight's match was a blessing Ghanaians abhorred so much. So are they all, all blessings that come in disguise.
  
  As things stand, Ghana will avoid playing England and Argentina at least till the semi-final stage. As for the United States, we do them again in a repeat of Germany 2006!
  
  Meanwhile, I will blow my vuvuzela saying damn those who wish to build a case against that little yet powerful instrument. And like that little girl on the screen, I will shout "Kina kow" for it is TIME.
• 7:27

  The Disabled, Employment Challenges and Ghana as a Nation

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Today is been marked as national disabled day. It's been nearly 6 years since parliament passed Act 715. According to the Executive Director of the Center for Employment of Persons with Disability (CEPD), the effort that has been put in this area is nothing good to talk about.
  
  For me, it is not too strange. What has happened to most of our laws? They remain shut in that little yellow book sold at every shell shop, its spirit shut within it. As a country, we have not shown commitment; and, whenever we have, we have not had the will, strength of mind to continue it to the last. This explains why we are, practically, where we are as a nation.
  
  This morning on the Morning Show on Radio Univers, I had an interaction with some disabled but capable people, including Alexander Kojo Tetteh, the executive director of CEPD. It is always revealing when these people, good people who are trying to help themselves and not lay all their burdens on government, get frustrated in the end when government gives contracts out to other nationals when these very people could do the job.
  
  My take on this is that we should not even be having this discussion at all. If we love ourselves, we would work for the upliftment of each member of our society; especially, if they are disabled in any way. This year focuses on Employment Challenges. Many are working to help people with disabilities who have skills and are qualified to not be discriminated against. Can they watch football at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium or have access to the second floor of the Holiday Inn? If they cannot, then we are not there as a people. We are not thinking for us!
  
  And if parliament which passed the bill into law itself has not provision for disabled, for instance those in wheel chairs, to access the parliament house, then we are in real big TROUBLE
• May 25, 2010
• 22:32

  Doing Jungle Economics and 0302

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  There's no doubt about this, it's definitely a great time to be around in Ghana. Great time for one reason: Inflation is still dropping, said to be around 11...(well I dislike digits unless they have to do with money or saving Africa). In midst of this good news for book economists or statisticians, my money is worth nothing. I remember while in Senior High School--well, I chose a music class over an economics class to save myself the 'demand and supply' daily bread--my classmate would say about inflation: 'Too much money chasing too few goods.'
  
  I do not know what exactly the situation is! There the goods are. Plenty plenty as we would say in reduplicating, the Ghanaian way of course. But the so much money could buy less of the good. And yet inflation is supposed to have dropped. I know my economics friends at Legon would choke me with some useless explanations of variable blah blah blah. None of that mean much to me anymore. I cannot stand for the intellectual crap that does not help the masses any longer.
  
  The last time I spoke to my father, he told me there is no money anywhere. The man is suffering from something. His money cannot stay long in his pocket. As for my mum, she turns the radio off anytime some person is on about inflationary figures. She says it upsets her very much. I do not know what to tell her anymore. She prays a lot. So I asked her to go back to her God. She/He may have an answer different from all these liars.
  
  As for me, I know how Ghana will be like in 10 years. Just like all the pastors and Imams see it. More people will be ripped off by government (the cocoa farmers will still have their moneys taken from them too), by business and by phone network companies. The inflation digits--reducing or appreciating--would not matter to the big-ass Makola woman or the tomato farmer up in the north if their money cannot buy them anything!
  
  I had plans of blogging on the code changes that Vodafone is making to conform to international standards. I followed the story (I actually did a couple for Radio Univers) over 3 months ago when they issued releases to press houses. I never had the time really to write. But Maya has written something on it and she looks at it differently too. The cost to businesses alone is huge.
  
  I have had to struggle mentioning the new numbers on air anytime I'd hosted the Morning Show. From 021 512962 to 0302 512.... The new numbers now sit boldly on the walls of the studio for all of us to see. But it still is difficult. Meanwhile, business would have new cost to cover up for.
• May 18, 2010
• 21:15

  Back with Power and Some Poetry

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I have been absent, but not dead. Many things have passed without my commenting on them. It does not mean I have not seen. Go to the village and ask your grandmother. She has seen a lot. Anyway, events of the past week kept me away from the computer, including checking of my inbox.
  First, it was my last week at the University of Ghana as an undergrad. The same week also saw me planning the camping of the tennis team for the Ghana University Sports Association games which is to come off on June 4. I surely was very busy. I had to see my roommates pack and leave coupled with the bye-byes. I am really bad at that though.
  
  The city authorities and government are still to learn and improve the capital and the country at large. It rains again and the usual problems of years past resurface. It makes me wonder if they can think at all. Or, indeed, if they care about those of us who do not live at Cantonments. Anyway, I did not give my voice away to them!
  
  Come tomorrow evening at the American centre on the University of Ghana campus (inside the new LECIA building), writers (poets mainly and I think observers are invited) will meet to discuss issues of interested. We thought the American Spoken Word Poet Gina Loring would be able to join us since that is what we are all about, but the American embassy says her schedule changed. Well, we are soldiers so Spoken Word must still flow. Binyavanga Wainaina (he heads Achebe's foundation) will join us. So please come. The time is 5 p.m. prompt!
  
  As for the politicians, hmmm!!!!
• May 04, 2010
• 14:39

  Throwing Philosophy About, Anyhow

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  It's only Tuesday, but I feel like the week will not be great. i cannot desist from wondering why people still make some decisions. I'm a strong believer in humanity. But something scares me more than that. The more insight I get into the human nature, the more I cannot feel at ease. You never know what they will think next or do. As amazing as it may seem, it makes it dangerous.
  
  Some have said that is why there is the need for a social construct or control. But doesn't that sound like humans are animals who have no control of themselves? It makes me want to choose a situation where I cannot predict the next move of the other person in the stead of having to see the one I love as if he or she were something less human.
  
  What is most scaring in this situation is not the protective and preventive measures society attempts to implement. The scariest will be the inability to know what society itself is capable of. I sometimes fear what I am capable of doing; especially, those actions tilted towards the bad.
  
  One thing stands clearly for me though in all these twists and uncertainties. Humans will do what they want to do; they will think what they want to think; all these they will if they find personal gratulation therein. There is less society can do in that regard, unless society goes to the extent of wiping out humanity. That will not happen--never.
• May 01, 2010
• 15:01

  Speaking as a a Near-Old Vandal

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  As a soon to-be Old Vandal, I feel disappointed in the current JCR executives of the hall. After the inactions on the part of the young Vandals, the president dissociated his office from the incident. Like a confused bull, he came back on radio defending Vandals like a little boy.
  
  It is worth mentioning that while I may not agree with the university's decision in principle--the university should be able to deal with students who go contrary to the regulations--i still condemn the heckling of the Chancellor's vehicle and the man himself.
  The past three vice-chancellors are all Old Vandals. they know the ideals. I remember when these current executives came on radio talking about the incident as if it was alright. I must confess I was ashamed.
  
  But the university's action to turn the Commonwealth into a graduate hall and later admit female undergraduates into the hall seems like a premature action meant to cause a stir among the student ranks and thereby lead them to reckon where the power lies. It is also obvious that the action is a calculated when to stop students from registering any dissenting views as the decision came at a time when students are writing their examinations. I'm sure this decision will be reverse.
  
  One cannot imagine the Hill of Truth without the residents next academic year. The ramifications are immeasurable. All undergraduates in the hall currently in levels 100 to 300 will have to be dispersed to other halls. That means complication for issues such as hall registrations aplus academic user fees. I understand the porters at the hall will have to leave too, including the Senior Hall tutor. but all these can be forestalled and the university can save all of us the drama.
  
  But first, the current Vandals must stand up and face the situation squarely. They must act appropriately. Apologise. V-Mates! Sharp!
• 9:46

  Commonwealth Hall to be Turned into Mixed Graduate Hall

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  To be lenient, it was shocking. The pro-vice chancellor of the University of Ghana, professor Kwesi Yankey, confirmed to Univers News that the university has decided to turn the Commonwealth Hall, the only male hall in the university and popularly known as the Vandal City (and they maintain it there are only two cities), into a graduate hall from the next academic year which will also have females reside in the same hall.
  
  According to the Prof. Yanker, the university is still working out the maths to see if they will still take into the hall undergrads. Although the reasons for which the university took this decision have not been made official, it is obvious it was because of the supposed heckling the chancellor of the university during the last congregation ceremony.
  
  But I would like to concentrate on the university's decision to turn the hall into a graduate building and what that act means. In fact, a Visitation Panel made a recommendation to the university for it to upgrade facilities at the commonwealth. To do this, the hall has to be closed partially or fully to allow this to happen. Instead of doing this, the university has decided to kill a tradition that has survived for over 20 years.
  For me, it is obvious the university cannot use its own regulations which have been stated in the student handbook to deal with students. it is known that students affiliated to the hall are granted escort both at matriculation and also at congregation (when they graduate) by their fellow V-Mates or Vandals. It has not always been peaceful given the fact that where the escort stops is right in front of the building that the convocation uses to proceed to the graduation grounds. On several occasions, the commonwealth escort had delayed the convocation which comprise of the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Pro-vice Chancellor, director of academic affairs, Registrar and several other university authorities.
  
  If there is a problem with this, which I do admit there is, why doesn't the university solve the problem? Why hasn't it solved it. One would imagine that for an academic institution, dialogue would be supreme when there is a misunderstanding rather than for academics to wish the problem away or for one to behave like a tyrant simply because they are in the position of power.
  Before you think I'm just running my mouth, wait a second. There are practical solutions to the problems that the Vandal processions pose to the convocation on the day of matriculation and that of graduation. I have experienced this myself as a student of the university. The Vandal escort is customary (that makes it legal too), the university convocation works with time (say it plans to march from 10 a.m.) why doesn't the university make sure the Vandal procession happens before the time the convocation plans to proceed to avoid the delays?
  
  Indeed, the university has continually refused to recognise the Vandal escort and that is why we are where we are today. I was sad to hear the pro-vice on radio say that Vandals and Old Vandals are worried because of the emotional affinities they have with the Vandal City. But isn't this absurd? These people see the hall as a symbol, as a place that teaches truth. It is a hall that stands for freedom, the ability to rise against oppression. These are the very ideals the university anthem extols; but, their actions so far are a betrayal of that.
  
  As for the other side of the argument, as to why they want to turn commonwealth hall into a mixed graduate hall, I ask why they don’t implement the same thing at Volta Hall. After all, that is also the only female hall of the university. But they haven't and that goes to prove the point that they intend to shut down Vandals.
  
  If you would recall, the new residential policy (in-out-out-in) was largely perceived by students alike as the university's attempt to kill student activism on campus and not to diffuse student population in the traditional halls which, purportedly, was to solve the accommodation problem on campus. There have been several of such attempts at Vandals. Why? Because as Vandals, they see themselves to be the soul of student activism and champions of the student cause. Indeed, they have proven that on many countless occasions when they led the student front to stand up for their rights.
  
  Recently, the university interfered in student life again by imposing on students, election guidelines. The most damning of them all, although no student opposed the policy in principle, was a 3.0 grade point policy for all those who wish to contest for SRC positions. The action was wrong and unconstitutional. The SRC has its own regulations when it came to elections. So my question is this: What stopped the university from making a suggestion to the SRC for the SRC to meet as a body and make their own decision? Instead, they imposed it.
  
  If anything better will come from the University of Ghana, it must change its attitude to students, involve them and solve the problems other just react to actions. I'm sure Vandals understand this. The closing down the Vandal City is an initiated that must be abhorred based on principle, not personal vendetta
• April 29, 2010
• 10:37

  Gagging other Nation: Why not Nuclear

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I have struggled to understand why some other nation should have a resource and another nation should not have the same or resource, or even make attempts at acquiring that resource. I have often wondered if the backwardness of one people should necessary promote other people’s betterment. Is it the only way out for one nation to develop, it must seek to cheat other nation in an avaricious race for resource theft?
  
  Unfortunately, as a young boy growing up in Ghana, I have had to watch a lot of TV showing American films of men wielding guns and so on. I have had to deal with seeing skyscrapers and also the perfect white family of a woman, a man and a child. I am not too sure of the damages it has done to me. But I’m fully aware of what it has turned me into; and, how I must be conscious always about whether what I’m saying, thinking or doing is just the work of some imperialist somewhere. It is difficult.
  
  The accidents of history have put some other people ahead of others on the same planet. It has largely been an unfair affair. Imagine a human being wielding a sledgehammer and smashing it against an ant or a cockroach. For the second time, imagine one human being brandishing a gun while another human being holds loosely a stick. The one with the gun is in the position of power. But instead of protecting the other with the stick, because the one with the stick has resources which the one with the gun wants, so he or she wouldn’t do the ideal thing. That person would rather choose to use the gun to force the stick-wielding person to give up the resources. In some cases, the one with the gun would just steal away what he or she wants.
  
  In the 21st Century, countries with guns do not use it physically anymore. There is something called diplomacy and dialogue and a shrouded governance system called democracy and its extended version on the international level called the United Nations. Indeed, these countries—rather their governments—are not the least united. For being united connotes a unique sense of purpose and the seeking of the welfare of the co-partner in unity. In the very structure of this body lie deliberate systemic divisions aimed at ensuring that other countries use the organisation to seek the welfare of their people alone. They can defy the rules and regulations of the organisation whenever they so wish and they can deprive other states of the tools they need to develop. As far as I’m concerned, the UN presently lacks the savoir-faire due to the systemic inequalities.
  
  I have become ennui to international politics; the hypocrisy to the gross violation of the rights to development, one of the many rights that other ‘powerful’ nations within the UN consciously seize from the so-called developing nations. I have heard of the word ‘interest’ that all nations are supposed to advance for their people. How is it possible for this to happen when throughout history one group of people have taken from other people even to the point of filching; when, where we are now, is determined by the resource theft that occurred before.
  
  In many countries, especially in Africa, the main source of energy is generated from hydro. It has proved a little unreliable and Ghana is a perfect example. It rains a lot in the United States too and so does it in other countries in Europe. The US and many European countries have nuclear energy and the truth is these countries have constant supply of power which their industries feed on, which makes them advance. In Africa, the use of generators (most of them make very loud noise) is a phenomenon for many industrial plants.
  
  So you tell me, would it be wrong if Ghana decides to go nuclear? Would the United States and the European countries, which are sovereign states on their own, be right to move in to stop Ghana or any other country like it? Should these countries be the right governments to determine who gets nuclear energy for development and who doesn’t? In any case, the claim these countries have made, of course through the cover organisation (the UN), is that other countries seeking nuclear energy intend to use it to develop nuclear warheads. I cannot understand this malarkey of an excuse given the fact that these very countries already have set the pace by acquiring nuclear weapons first. They think the rest of the world is stupid for wanting what they have? If they want a safer world, why don’t they dispose off their nuclear weapons and use it just for energy?
  
  Think about this for a moment. Iran has been stifled for long by the US and the European nations and their government has seen foreign interferences. They decide to go for nuclear energy and these same countries want to stop them. I’m not oblivious to Iran possibly developing a nuclear weapon (if they haven’t already), but if the US behaved like a tyrant with Iran because the US is a nuclear power, why wouldn’t Iran want the same power to protect itself also? And Congo should get nuclear too with its vast reserve of Uranium. And why shouldn’t Rwanda or Sudan? In that case the US cannot coerce Rwanda to attack Congo or any other African brother.
  
  It is the same tactics the US and Europe has used when it comes to trade, world trade. They set the rules and they play the game. When you attempt to change the rules to make it fairer, they do their possible best to refute these changes. Instead, they want to patronise other countries and act like they are gods who have the right to seek the welfare of humans who cannot think for themselves. This is simply meant to ensure that other countries do not get to where the US and some parts of Europe are at the moment. Indeed they fear these other countries may surpass them simply because the people within those countries are hardworking people. As we say in Ghana, when dried skeletons are mentioned, old ladies begin to shiver.
• April 28, 2010
• 16:27

  This is what is on My Mind

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I wrote the first of six papers that will make sure I graduate successfully; unless, of course, the university of Ghana decides not to award me with a degree. It will still be cool though. I have learnt a lot during my stay at the university these four or so years.
  
  It has always not been great. The usual ups of student life: parties, friends, sleep when you want, sports etc. Then the not-so-great moments of attending lectures at 7.30 in the morning and having to meet deadlines for research papers and so on. It is even worse when working with a group. That could be any serious student's nightmare. I had my fair share of the dosage. I never really attended parties anyway(except on two occasions because we had some other West African university students here for university games and when our good friends from Ibadan landed here. As for those hall week beach parties, I was there only once throughout my time at the university of Ghana.
  
  Eii, why I'm I talking like I'm already done here. Well, in about 3 weeks from now, I will be done. But I will play tennis for UG in the university games in July. It should be fun.
  
  Back to my final examinations now. I wrote the very first of it on Monday. My occasional headache proved forceful more than before. I still feel it. Some say it's because of my studies. I do not know how. But I do know I worry and think over things that do not bother people of my age. Fact! I'm more concerned about my society, and Africa. Even my mother will not appreciate that. We are all too busy chasing the cheap opportunities and things so material. Don't even think for a second that I would not like that too. I'm saying most people don't think about it, not even for a second. They find you strange the moment you mention it.
  
  Well, within the past 4 years, I have made my mistakes; but, I have changed a lot. I still I'm not scared to speak my mind. Or write it! That will be my crowning glory I guess. My ability to think for myself and my society--not some paper calling itself 'my degree.' Because it is when you are tested, that is when your true character will show. We will see if your degree will speak or you will speak. So I have my reward already. I'm not too jittered at the mention of grades. But whatever, you can say what you also wish to say. In end, I will write my paper, get my degree (may be), and I will try and improve society and die. As for those whom I have wronged, it is past and I am sorry about it. I cannot change what I did then, but I can show some light now. Peace!
• April 25, 2010
• 14:22

  Open Air Theatre and Africa

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  This message is short.
  
  On Open Air Theatre, we have tried our best to talk widely on freedom, slavery and others following similar thought. Poems from Tahiru Hamid 'Hunger for Freedom' sung the wisdom of old Bob Marley. Let us free our minds of the colonial shackles that still persist on this continent.
  
  Without a moment of peace, Edzordzi Agbozo rained in 'Zimbabwe and Namibia Prelude.' We were all on fire. So we all started thinking about how we can free this continent of white destructive elements. I don't know what you think, but the general sentiment from the chorus was that the focus should be on revamping the education sector in Africa. That is the first solution we must pursue.
  According to Gameli Adjaho, we must chase away the Cheaters and Eaters on this continent! KPOKA!
• April 23, 2010
• 14:55

  Let More of the President's Men Die, or?

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  A woman was admitted at a hospital in Ghana, on that fateful day, she delivered a baby but died afterwards. Another woman delivered a baby, she heard no sound of the baby as the medical officers took the baby away from the to-be mother. She was very worried, she feared the worst; and her fears proved worst as the doctor broke the news to her about the new baby. It did not survive to see this world. No one made noise about any of these tragic occurrences. The president was asleep all on of those occasions.
  
  A woman was admitted into a hospital one evening. That night, nature came to her rescue signalling the impending doom. It rained and rained and rain. Thunderstorms never seen before showed its power on that night. Several needles of different sizes got under her beautiful skin in order to induce the pregnancy. The nurses asked if she felt the baby was coming? She nodded in agreement, she groped for words she could not even utter. The nurse then left. When she delivered later, the medical officers took her baby away. She was to find out later that her child was dead. The father threatened to sue the hospital. He was a man with wealth and power who could fight his own fight. On that night, the president was asleep.
  
  A woman goes to a hospital, she dies. It was alleged that the medical officers were negligent. She was a woman who slept by a man with power. A man who knows someone who knows someone! The president was awake that night. He screamed, asking for an investigation into why the woman who's husband had power had died. The newsmen gave it a front page coverage. The country pretended to be mournful.
  
  We cannot rid ourselves of the madness if those few people with the medicine to cure us do not stop using it for themselves only. When we, those without power, fall into the hands of these medical officers, nobody cares. Oh oh oh hold on. Not even the president cares, in practice. He is too busy seeing only his ministers and friends. The president is not my friend; he cannot be my father too. His ministers are in no position to be also. So why should the president care about that woman who died at birth at Osu or Ejisu or Bawku? His minister is clearly more important.
  The way things are, the people with power would improve upon things if it affects them directly. So I propose that we organise prayers, or something of the nature, so that this health sector should claim more of the beloved of those people in power. May be the president's cousin should be next in line. Or what do you say?
  I'm sure when these mishaps occur in their inner circle, they will wake up and fight for the common good!
• April 21, 2010
• 5:54

  Use a UK Vote in Ghana

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Whether you like it or not; hate it or love it; the policies of the United Kingdom affects those of us here in Ghana both directly and indirectly. I'm the last person to wish this to be the case. But unfortunately it is. And since it is, how do we address this?
  
  The fact is that, it is better to rule by despots and try influencing them (probably to change) than to stay within their jurisdiction and let them rule you. Your ultimate solution would then be to leave completely. In the case of Ghana, if you live here, you cannot escape.
  
  So well then, let's attempt to influence the power (or make our voices heard). The group Egality now does exactly that and in the first of its kind, people in Ghana, Bangladesh and Afghanistan can have their voices heard on issues like Trade, Climate Change and War. Of course war cannot concern Ghana directly, but it does elsewhere.
  
  Come April 22 when those running for the office of prime minister in the UK face each other in a televised debate, those here in Ghana will have the chance to put questions to Gordon Brown and David Cameron via text. Then on April 30, ahead of the UK elections on May 6, people in Ghana will have the chance to vote using the Use a UK Vote programme via text 024 156 1918.
  The Use a UK Vote programme, being coordinated by Egality now, allows UK voters to transfer their votes to people in countries like Ghana, Afghanistan or Bangladesh, they will determine who to vote for on trade or climate issues.
  
  So well, it's a way of influencing something that affects you
• April 20, 2010
• 9:12

  Structure of Politeness in Women and Men in Radio Phone-ins. Published

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  This is the introduction to the work proper. I don't know if I have edited it rightly, but enjoy the read all the same
  
  Even though the concept of politeness can be said to be universal and pervasive among all cultures, how politeness is expressed severs greatly from culture to culture and from context to context (See Watts (2003) and [en.wikipedia.org] (April 10, 2010). In Ghana, politeness is seen as a very important aspect of all forms of verbal interactions, and where it is absent in spoken form, it is noticeable in other non-linguistic forms. It could sometimes be challenging to interlocutors—especially if they are of different cultures using the same medium—to determine the politeness or otherwise of an utterance. This can be observed in many domains of language use: in academia, work places, market and more recently the mass media.
  
  Of all the various forms of media in Ghana, radio is the most dynamic of all. The signal of a radio show aired in Accra is picked up by another radio station in Tamale or London and at the same time that very programme is being streamed live on the internet to many others around the globe. Given its wide range of audiences and contributors—most of whom get in touch via text messaging and phone-ins—one wonders how so many people manage to get along and indeed how they do get along. A careful observation of the discussions on most prime time radio programmes (at least in Accra although it is aired throughout Ghana) reveal that most of the issues are social and very political in nature. What this implies also is that, interlocutors could get out of control and the show of deference is likely to be reduced. We assert that politeness forms one major aspect of the interaction for that simple reason; in its varied forms, it helps lessen the effect of the hot air that surrounds these radio programmes as interlocutors express their views.
  
  In Ghana, politeness is a serious matter, a social requirement in discourse and most Ghanaians like to see themselves as very polite—mostly drawing a strong link between politeness and culture. This social behaviour, and how Ghanaians feel and respond to it, is not restricted to Ghanaians alone (Watts 2003). One is therefore more likely to find the host of a programme that allows phone-ins cut off callers if the host thinks the caller is using vile language or is being impolite with her or his submission. Our study comes at the opportune time when discussions on the structure and purpose of radio phone-ins is been considered as to whether it is a plus or a minus to Ghana’s democracy. It is our view that politeness, the purpose of which is to make both parties involved in the discussion comfortable, if applied well in discussions on radio, would improve the quality of the discussion and mitigate on several Face Threatening Acts that may arise.
  
  The point where polite forms are most noticeable is in the openings and closings of conversations, in our case radio phone-ins. The various forms in which it manifests itself are readily perceptible in greetings, gratitude and the addressing systems employed by the callers and the host.
  
  This paper seeks to find out how women and men express politeness in these radio phone-in programmes in Ghana. We shall also explore the issues of whether women and men express politeness differently and which of these sexes is more concerned about politeness than the other as far as radio phone-ins are concerned. We are also fully aware of the sociolinguistic realities of Ghana; that English in Ghana is largely in a second language context. Therefore, we shall seek to examine whether the concept of politeness in the indigenous languages in Ghana has any significant impact on how politeness is expressed in the English of the callers in the radio phone-in programmes.
  
  The very nature of this research also implied the method which we used in gathering the data. There is a huge pile of recordings of radio programmes which we could access and analyse, mostly in audio format. We therefore had had to transcribe it into text, a task which proved to be a daunting, arduous and above all tedious given the back and forth dragging of the seek bar of the player. But what proved to be our biggest asset was our own observations of the various forms of politeness used in all radio programmes that had phone-in segments, not just those of prime time shows like the Morning Shows and the Newspaper Reviews of these radio stations. In the end, this method helped to improve the insight which we bring to the fore in this paper greatly.
• 7:24

  The ECG and AVRL Crap

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  All over the world, it will be absurd to ask people to pay a company money for such a company to improve it's own facility in order for it to provide better services to the people. And there is a good reason why. The people are consumers.
  
  So why is it that over the years we the people of Ghana have not received constant power supply (and don't tell me because the power supply in Ghana is better than that of Nigeria so...)? I'm just tired of the mediocre thing. Once yours is better than someone else's you should be okay. I will not accept that.
  
  Why is it that there are over 15 water bodies in Ghana and we (Ghana water and AVRL) still cannot ensure that water flows through every pipe in this country? We are tired of all the baloney!
  And in case you still have not gotten my point, the utility companies have provided meagre services (there is always power outage once the clouds turn dark and water supply is based on how and when the ECG sleeps and wakes) the whole time in Ghana. And guess what? They come back and want to increase tariffs for them to get more mone to improve their machines. They lack creativity, simple. This is incredible!!!
  
  And if the ECG continues to run riot like they are presently doing, they should get their legal team ready for the law courts. Simple.
• April 18, 2010
• 20:36

  Project finally done on Radio Phone-ins and Politeness

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I don't know why I'm posting this up; especially around this period. But guess what, I just finished my project work which I'm doing partially to graduate from the University of Ghana. So I'm super glad that this work is done finally.
  
  It's been a long time, but I can finally get some sleep. Aaaba!!
  
  Here I go posting my abstract for all to see hehehehehe. But wait. The title first:
  Structure of Politeness in Women and Men in Radio Phone-ins
  
  
  It has been observed that politeness is a universal phenomenon among all cultures of the world although its realisation may vary, considerably or otherwise, from culture to culture, and even from context to context. In Ghana, the situation is no different albeit the expectance of politeness may be judged as generally high. With the advent of radio in Ghana and in several other countries on the African continent, moderation of comments on radio programmes so that it does not lead to mayhem or be a threat to peace has become an issue.
  
  This paper attempts an analysis of how women and men express politeness in radio phone-in. In the process, we deal with the issue of whether men express politeness differently from women and also show if any of them are more concerned with politeness as far as radio phone-ins are concerned.
  
  Most of these politeness forms are to be found in gratitude and greeting forms and personal address systems used by Callers.
  
  
  Ok, so this is what I've done.
• April 15, 2010
• 13:31

  Islamic Bandits on Our Land

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Imagine waking up to a world devoid of music... Imagine going to school and not hearing the usual bell that characterise the call to assemble or to change lessons... Imagine your news or radio without sound or music...
  
  This is what is happening to our fellow Africans in Somalia. Those in the media cannot play music on radio simply because some senseless Islamic group says so. Those teachers in the schools now have to clap concurrently from the staff common room each time there a change of lesson or school ends.
  
  What is most disheartening is the frivolous reasons coming from these Islamic bandits. In those regions in Somalia under their control, the people are been told that the bell sounds like a Christian one and that it is un-Islamic to play music [on radio]. Absolute crap!!!
  Sometimes it hurts that we as Africans have to a long way to include these other religious realities to our own, even to our own detriment and destruction. I can say no more, but these people must be stopped. It will take strong, well-networked, connected grouping with common interests to override these things. They must remain defiant and unified. At worst, these bandits are not more than the people!!!
  
  Africa must wake up to this new challenge for we are been played from left to right, back and front while we just look on helplessly.
• April 14, 2010
• 15:50

  Stop the Senseless Politics

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I just have a few words for those who think they can think play with our lives: STOP THIS NONSENSE.
  
  I cannot understand why a government would act only because there is a group of dissatisfied people. I cannot understand why a prospective government would include in its manifesto an issue so volatile as that of the death of the Ya-Na, thus politicising an issue that must be investigated.
  
  The Andanis and Abudus must know that this country belongs to all of us. That this large space is for Africans.
  
  If the previous government, in an attempt to be seen to be doing something concerning the conflict between the Andanis and the Abudus; and in that rush arraigned before court some people suspected to be involved in the conflict and had the case thrown out for want of substantial evidence, this present one must not be senseless and silly too. I have a feeling our governments are all about popularity.
  
  They should solve the core issues and stop the cosmetics of curfews. They should stop playing with our lives. Plain and simple!!!
• April 10, 2010
• 21:20

  H1N1 in Ghana

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I meant to post this earlier in the week. I couldn't sleep so I decided to put it up anyway. Dr. Ampofo of the Noguchie Memorial Research Institute of the University of Ghana, on Campus Exclusive, said there is no cause for alarm concerning the H1N1 influenza in Ghana. Over the past few weeks, several cases have been recorded of the influenza nationwide, notably in the Central Region of Ghana.
  
  Over 400 cases have been recorded so far, but no reported deaths. Mfantsipim, a Senior High School, has recorded about 83 cases of students so far. Several schools in Accra have also recorded some cases. What we know is that, it has been contained. What is known so far of the symptoms, which includes coughs, severe body pains, fatigue etc, is that they are mild. The Ghana Health Service meanwhile has advised various schools not to close down, but keep those found to have the infection for treatment. Also for the reason that some others may have the influenza, but the symptoms are just not showing yet.
  
  Speaking to Dr. Ampofo, he said the maintenance of basic personal hygiene - cough etiquette such as covering of mouth when coughing or sneezing and regular washing of the hand - is key to minimising the risk of infection among people. One should avoid crowded places too.
  
  The reports of the H1N1 influenza have caused many Ghanaians to worry. The health ministry has done very well so far and have responded appropriately. I think what is left is for the rest of us Ghanaians to keep ourselves safe, to advise friends and family who have what may look like a threatening cough and extreme weakness to report to a health facility.
• 19:29

  Ghana Music Awards--What is New

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Tonight music artistes who have put energy and effort into their chosen career will be recognised once again. The Ghana Music Awards has been controversial--with its nominationations--since its very inception about 11 years ago. I have always wondered why Okomfour Kwadee has never received an award. The man is different in many way: style, delivery, lyrics.
  
  However, what stares all Ghanaians in the face sharply is the acceptance that the awards, the only one that covers almost every genre of music on the Ghanaian scene, has come a long way. The awards now features artistes from across the continent, and sometimes thopse outside it. The 11th edition promises to be another big-bang.
  The Accra International Conference Centre, Osu, is already filled to the max. Trust Ghanaians, they love the fun.
  
  My disappointment so far is with the male MC, Chris Attoh. The suit he wears shows clearly that he is uncomfortable. His voice is also shrill and he seems to be screaming out at every utterance.
  Secondly, those Glo icons--I mena those artistes like my favourite Tinny, Kwabena Kwabena, Ayigbe Edem and many others--who have signed on to contracts that limit them to not appear on rival companies, would they appear at the GMA awards when it is under the sponsorship of MTN? I think some of these contracts are simply senseless, pure balderdash. I receive 60,000 dollars from a company that tells me not to perform at events once it is being sponsored by a rival company. So what if that company doesn't sponsor any shows the whole year? I sit and wait and see my talent atrophy? incredible!!!
  And one more thing to the organisers: PLEASE STOP THOSE GIRLS WHO SHOVE THEIR ASS IN OUR FACE AS THE ARTISTES PERFORM ON THE NIGHT!!! There's no point in that. After all, it is the artiste we want to see perform, not those girls. Or?
  
  So tomight what are we celebrating? Are we playing something that will identify us as people from Ghana or largely Africa? For me, the industry is still churning out fresh artistes and that is good. What we must do now is to mange these artistes very well. Sarkodie is obviously phenomenal; but Obrafour has shown once again that he is a force to reckon with. And don't leave out Ruff & Smooth (I remember when they came through the Radio Univers studios promoting their new single Monalisa and Swagga, they were known less then). Eii let me not leave out Wengeze (Eazzy). And didn't we dance to World trade Centre by 4X4? Well, I sing along with those on the new kid, Nana Borro's track, Ay3 d3!!! Here is the full list of nominees...
  
  
  Artist of the year
  4x4
  Wutah
  Ohemaa Mercy
  Sarkodie
  Becca
  Bradez
  
  Most popular song of the year
  Kotosa by Wutah
  Baby by Sarkodie
  Simple byBradez
  Aseda by Ernest Opoku
  World Trade Center by 4x4
  
  Discovery of the year
  DSP Kofi Sarpong
  Mimi
  Sarkodie
  Ayigbe Edem
  OJ Blaq
  
  Hip hop /hiplife song of the year
  Kasiebo by Obrafour
  The Game by Obour
  Ringtone by Tinny
  You Dey Craze by Ayigbe Edem
  Breathe by Kweku T & D Black
  Baby by Sarkodie
  
  Hip hop/hiplife artist of the year
  Sarkodie
  4x4
  Bradez
  Ayigbe Edem
  Tinny
  
  Gospel Song of the year
  Ensie wo yie Diana Hamilton
  Okyeso Nyame Florence Nyame
  Aseda Ernest Opoku
  Wo Beye Kesse Ohemaa Mercy
  Ayeyi Ndwom DSP Kofi Sarpong
  Supernatural Celestine Donkor
  
  Gospel Artist of the year
  Ohema Mercy
  Celestine Donkor
  Florence Obinim
  
  Highlife song of the year
  Afia Donkor by Kofi B
  Daa Ke Daa by Becca
  Sika by Daddy Lumba
  Kotosa by Wutah
  Born to win by King David
  
  Highlife artist of the year
  Kofi B
  Daddy Lumba
  Kofi Nti
  King David
  
  Afro-pop Song of the year
  Run away by Irene Logan
  World Trade Center by 4x4
  Swagger by Ruff &Smooth
  Simple by Bradez
  I think I like Am by VIP
  
  Reggae Song of the year
  Jah will be there by Wutah
  Adiepena by Kojo Antwi
  Mama Africa by Black Prophet
  
  Best Collaboration of the year
  Run Away by Irene & Asem
  Baby by Sarkodie & Mugeez
  The Game by Obour & Okyeame Kwame
  You dey Craze by Edem/Sarkodie/Kwaw Kesse
  Kasiebo by Obrafour & Guru
  
  Best Rapper of the year
  Sarkodie
  Obrafour
  Kwaku T
  Edem
  Bradez
  Tinny
  
  African artiste of the year
  Bracket- Nigeria
  Wande Coal- Nigeria
  Flavour- Nigeria
  Midnight Crew – Nigeria
  Jozi- South Africa
  
  Record of the year
  Burning Desire- Wutah
  Daa Ke Daa- Becca
  Run Away – Irene Logan and Asem
  Love Zone- Jon Germain
  Nyonorvidade – Ayigbe Edem
  
  Album of the Year
  Sika – Daddy Lumba
  Makye- Sarkodie
  Burning desire- Wutah
  World Trade Center- 4x4
  Volta Regime- Ayigbe Edem
  
  Song writer of the year
  Daa ke Daa- Kwabena Akwaboa Jnr
  Burning Desire- Wutah
  Run Away- Asem
  Adiepena- Kojo Antwi
  Kasiebo- Obrafour
  
  Best Male Vocal performance
  PV of Wutah
  Kwasie Pee
  Kofi B
  Ernest Opoku Jnr
  Kojo Antwi
  
  Best Female Vocal Performance
  Becca
  Irene Logan
  Cynthia of Daughter of Glorious Jesus
  Celestine Donkor
  Ohemaa Mercy
• April 06, 2010
• 9:25

  Literary Gaints we Cannot Reach

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  During the Easter break, I decided to visit my home at Osu. Before then, a colleague at work had asked me if I had an invitation to a Wole Soyinka event? I said no. And she was surprised!
  
  But why? Because I host a show on radio that showcases young African writers, mostly poets who come on the show with their own writings. I felt like I was not in tune with happenings on the literary scene--usually I am aware of most of these giant steps. She wanted to see Wole Soyinka.
  I don't want to meet Wole Soyinka, I see him through his works. And in any case, another writer holds much more for me than he does (Ayi Kwei Armah).
  
  But what is the purpose of these gatherings if the future writers of this great continent cannot get a chance to be influence by the very presence of these pioneers? Upon all the media buzz, you'll see, written in a very small size, the inscription: "Invitation only." Frustrating indeed. So that evening, I took my camera out and took a shot. You'll see it soon. But here is a friend who feels some of what I feel now.
• April 04, 2010
• 16:51

  A Question Worth Asking

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  My neck is threatening to break. I had a few days break and I thought things could get better, I lied. Here I am still with a lot of work to deal with. But I was on air today hosting Open Air Theatre. It got me asking one question after the show.
  
  Now in case you didn't know, Open Air Theatre is a literary show (poetry, drama--mainly featuring performances coming up on the university of Ghana campus--short story, social commentary) that runs every Sunday from 5p.m. to 6.30p.m. It features young Ghanaian writers--the old are welcome too--and we pick contents sent to us via email or facebook.
  
  Well, today on the show, most of the works read reflected the Easter period being observed by Christians around the world. Of course, the poems dealt with it differently--one had a voice asking God questions etc. I loved the show today for one reason: someone (Jawai) came up and asked if they knew the origins of these celebrations. Then we were on onto what is so typical of Open Air Theatre, the 'blasphemous' debates!
  
  So here is my question: Do people celebrate something because they know what it is or because others are doing it?
  Hmmm...
• April 02, 2010
• 16:33

  The Real Africa

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Now I bet you may be wondering why this guy is talking about 'the real Africa' at a time when all and sundry is shouting a quiet hallelujah. This morning, while I was getting ready to cast the first major news bulleting on the Morning Show, I was asked by the host (my friend too) if I was still a Christian. I said no and laughed a bit. He said I was a killjoy. I read my news and off I went. i bet if I had said yes, he would have asked if I was Catholic or Protestan or Charismatic. I had a better divisionary game to play.
  
  But that is not want I want to talk about. Like most contemporary Africans living in the capital, I get to meet tourists, most of them white Europeans or Americans. They mostly carry a travel book--preferrably Bradt. The book gives information on African countries--from local word items to places one could visit. I wonder how much they make too like this writer does.
  
  To most of these tourist, if they stay in hotels, guest houses, comfy homes, then it must not be Africa. If they are shaken out of their lazy slumber, they say it is not the 'real Africa.' Therefore, anything modern, a beautiful home adorned with all types of flowers and fress grass is not Africa. That must be Europe brought, magically, to Africa.
  
  So this is what they all do when they get here: travel to a village, sleep in some stench-filled hut, attend to nature's call in a bush, help some little kid wipe her runny nose. Without any of these and many others alike, you have not been to Africa!
  They chat with their friends back home on facebook and yet those friends back home refuse to think that there are computers in Africa too. That's just about how IGNORANT someone could be in a so-called 'developed world.' I will not be surprised if I told any person from Europe or America that in Africa lion's facebook and he/she believed it! That would be the 'Real Africa.'
• 7:20

  Bad Police, Bad Communication, Bad Government

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  We claim we are a people who want the better of things. We claim we are a special people, every one of us.
  We decided to entrust in a few people our security, our very essence. So when things go wrong they will rise to our defense without us having to demand it in any way. It is their responsibility--with a lot of privileges--and if they decide not to act as they promised us, they must tell us so that we know we are responsible for our own security. So that when we wake up to a new day, it will not be marred by surprises.
  
  In recent weeks, there has been a series of seizure of offices, including public offices like the National Health Insurance Scheme at Asikuma Odoben, by a group of irate youth. These young men (and please do not bother yourself with age)are reportedly members of the ruling National Democratic COngress, NDC. The incidents have happened all around the country, from the offices of the party in Accra where these angry people threatened to remove a public official (a man known as Karl Wilson) from office because they think he is corrupt, to far away Yendi and many other places where these people locked up offices or some cases the officers themselves.
  
  In the midst of all these misdemeanour, lawlessness, and demand of action by these NDC youths, His Excellency the President, His Humble Slow Self Professor Mills has remained quiet, silent. When these lawless people started this, the media gave them the chance to put their demands across to their party leaders, and to those worried people living in Ghana like myself. They HAVE NO JOBS (although their part is in power); they ARE DISPLEASED WITH THE LEVEL OF CORRUPTION AMONG PUBLIC OFFICIALS (most of whom belong to their party); and they DO NOT LIKE THE WAY THEIR DEMANDS ARE BEEN DISREGARDED etc. They claim they want their rights. THEY EVEN CLAIM IT IS THEIR RIGHT TO SEIZE THESE BUILDINGS AND LOCK UP PEOPLE. I wonder which constitution they work with. Their rights indeed. But the government kept quiet and was slow to react.
  
  OUR POLICE
  For some time now, the police service has been a tool that must be manipulated for government. This is bad for development and security. The Ghana Police Service cannot act, in this case arrest these lawless blokes, charge and prosecute them, without fear of losing their jobs. How would they lose their jobs? One police officer said they are unsure of what to do because these lawless people belong to the ruling party. What MADNESS can one see and hear again?!!!
  
  It took more than 3 days for the IGP to issue a statement asking his officers to do their job. This is particularly sad for this country. The police officer is not empowered to do his job for 3 days and more and we are all quiet. If you speak, you are tagged a member of the opposition. Is this what we want to do to ourselves?
  It appeared the IGP must have consulted the president first before issuing the directive.
  
  So how much would it cost for the president to speak to the people of this nation? A live broadcast is not far-fetched is it? This tactics of the president always speaking through his numerous communication chiefs is helping nobody here. On one occasion, Mr. Anyidoho, who is the director of communications, while answering a question on radio said his job is not to answer conjectures and blah blah blah. We here such malarkey from these people all the time. I don't think the president would say such stuff. In a state where the president's party boys are out there causing chaos, the president's party chairman is silent, the police do not act as is expected, the president still did not see it imperative to address the nation?
  
  Sometimes in a whole month, I do not hear anything from him to us the people unless he travelled and spoke with a foreign media. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person seeing all the madness in this country.
  On Thursday, we saw another of what seems to be a coordinated, calculated series of closure of public buildings. Those mad NDC boys told us why they locked down the NHIS office in Odoben. They say it is their right to lock down these offices. I'm saying if they have problems they should go to their party headquarters and protest if they want. They should just let the rest of us do our job if they have nothing doing.
  
  As for the president, his inaction is becoming too countless.
• March 30, 2010
• 13:36

  The Individual Choice--Madness and/or Satisfaction

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I have not been up to my task lately. But trust me, it has been for good reasons. The issues are innumerable, same as the pressures from other duties. But in the process, man must be careful not to compromise the good for the bad, what is to be done and what must be done. I intend to do neither. Well, then and again I'm proving that by that action--or would you say inaction?--I am an individual. And that is what we all do, all individuals.
  
  Take for example, people going to the polls to vote to get a president into office. Whoever emerges as president, did the people really vote that man or woman? Think of the few people who go to the congresses of the various political parties to elect a presidential candidate or flagbearer. If that person is elected president in the end, did the people who did not form part of that party's congress really choose that man or woman? Indeed, think of the numerous others who could do a better job and yet do not get to be voted, firstly as a presidential candidate to his or her party, and secondly as a presidential candidate in the general elections.
  
  In essence, the general people do not really determine who they want as president but what satisfaction it is for these people to feel they had a hand in installing someone as president. Although these people are given potential presidents to choose from--given the fact that a party with a majority of followers could select a candidate for others who do not belong to any party at all--although that may be bad or threaten their individual freedom of choice, they ameliorate the threat by casting their vote. Their vote goes not to the one they otherwise would have preferred, but rather to the candidate presented by the various parties!
  
  This is no democracy. It is impracticable when you think of it in this light that democracy is the hearing of all voices. But this is dictatorship in pretence. Sometimes I cannot help it when 'democracy' is equated to elections--'successful' elections. No election is successful, unless we want to be mediocre.
  But as I have sort to postulate, individuals are satisfied once they feel they are making a decision on their own, even when that decision is as unreal as an apparition.
  
  Today, there was news of a security man on campus, showing his penis to 3 ladies at the University of Ghana Balme Library. He then started to masturbate in front of the ladies. I'm not interested in what happened later to this man--his action is unlawful and amounts to indecency and obscenity--but why he did it. He may not be in his right frame of mind at the time, but I bet he was some time before he got the job. Why did he do it? He's an individual. What he did may be judged as inappropriate, unlawful and a violation of the rights of the ladies and other bypassers. But he did it may be to prove a point or not.
  We may be appalled but he has done his heart's desires and to hell with the rest of us!
  
  If you look at our governments and the petty mistakes they make, you wonder. Some take decisions and you begin to wonder if they did not know the end already. It is not the tragedy involved they are worried about; but that they may not make the decision on their own, that someone might make it for them.
  
  I'll pause here and continue later, that is an individual decision and I should feel satisfied.
• March 23, 2010
• 8:19

  Water is Life

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  So at Radio Univers, to mark World Water Day, we decided to run several reports on water starting from the University of Ghana campus through to Legon and then the general situation in the country.
  One of the worst hit halls on campus is the Commonwealth Hall. Students resident in this hall get water largely from water reservoirs situated within the halls. Sometimes, it may not be all that rosy as they have to travel down to the back of Volta Hall, another hall of residence on campus, to get water. It is not news to say that some of the students go to class without taking a shower.
  
  If this is a little of what pertains in some parts of the university of Ghana campus, what of other parts of the country? In Dansoman, a suburb of Accra, where half of my family lives, the water runs only when it is late in the night. We have to stay up to in order to fill the barrels when we are supposed to be resting for the following day--and trust me we pay our bills.
  But how can I complain when there are others who have not seen a drop of water from their taps for a whole month? I still should complain because we must not accept mediocre service in this country. Whenever you you hear someone phone into a radio programme talking about lack of water in his or her area for a day, you also hear someone rebut by saying she or he has is yet to get water in a month. This must stop. We must demand what is due us. If an MP can get 50,000 dollars for a car, why can't we fix the water problem (burst pipes and so on)?
  
  I cannot begin to talk about our rural folks. It would seem as if I'm making a mockery of their plight, the country's plight. But if those in Sunyani, Takoradi, Accra, Tamale and Kumasi cannot get constant water supply, how could my grandmother in Ejisu-Juaben lift up her hand to be spotted? It is sad. They cannot boast of good, clean water from their pipes if those pipes exist at all. Except for their age-old technology of boiling water to make it safe for drinking, I wonder what the situation would be!
  
  The new minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Hon. Alban Badgin, has promised to solve the water problem within 100 days. We live to see what happens Water is life!
• 7:34

  Professor Kofi Anyidoho: A Worthy African

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I've been meaning to write something on Professor Kofi Anyidoho for a while now. I do not need to go into the works of the poet, academic, African and traditionalist--it will fill up the page here. As a student of the University of Ghana Department of English, I know the works of the man. As a poet par excellence, he designed the Creative Writing course at the department with Professor Kofi Awoonor, another poet of the same class. Each time I'd passed him by in the department, I'd felt the enormous responsibility on my shoulders for my people--for those who are not as privileged as I am. He reminds me of one thing: That we can always do more for this beloved land Africa.
  
  I remember an article that appeared in the Daily Graphic some years ago. The writer asked how many of the students who have taken Wole Soyinka's classes have come out with quality writings like the Nobel laureate. At the time, I wondered why such a question. But now I see how relevant that question was. Indeed, what is the relevance of teaching students who will not be like you or better than you? But I'm sure Soyinka has done a lot in his own right. Most often, we do not use to the maximum the opportunities that we are presented with and that is where Kofi Anyidoho comes into the fray.
  
  On Thursday 18 March, he was installed as the first occupant of the Africa Chair at the Institute of African Studies of the University of Ghana, a position that allows the occupant to lead a team of African experts to research into Africa. Kofi Anyidoho plans to use his tenure to bring out the ideals of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, his vision for Ghana and Africa, and how Africa could use these ideas. There is no better candidate for the post of course. A man who believes and lives the life of a true African, a life that is consistent with tradition and still is progressive. It is rare for us to find such men who have been through all the vicissitudes of life--and they are around to lead a new generation into that relevant past which could shape their future.
  
  To you Anyidoho, I say you are the perfect example of life
• March 20, 2010
• 12:17

  Ghana Goes Biometric with Passports March 23

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Ghana is set to issue the first biometric passports to citizens come Tuesday, March 23 this year. The biometric captures the biodata of the holder of the passport—meaning unique details of the individual such as fingerprints, the iris of the eye and facial features and link these features of the holder to the passport.
  
  Biometric passports have either one or two modes of data storage—in one the biodata of the holder is stored on a micro-chip imbedded in the passport while in the other the biodata is stored on a two-dimensional (2D) Bar Code. The passport number is black under daylight and emits green under ultraviolet light; the use of two-tone invisible fluorescent ultraviolet image and text symbols for the Parliament building and Adinkra symbols make them invisible to the naked eye. The pages have holes punctured into them through a laser process fortifying its security. Also, the biometric passport has anti-photocopy and anti-scan features making a photocopied version appear shiny with a wavy pattern on it.
  
  There are 3 categories of biometric passports to be issued based on the status of citizens: Diplomatic (has a red front with the coat-of-arms embossed on the back), Service (is covered in blue) and Ordinary (is coloured green).
  
  The micro-chip costs more than the 2D mode and is also highly susceptible to attacks by hackers. The attacks could take many forms. Sometimes the data of the passport holder is altered by the hacker or totally changed without the holder knowing. Obviously, it is because it is on a micro-chip. Its advantage though would be that it has a larger storage space compared to the 2D. The 2D is more secure and the data of the holder cannot be easily accessed without the holder surrendering the passport. One important thing is also is that the micro-chip is easy to damage.
  Ghana’s 2D option is relevance for several reasons. Along the artificial borders of many African countries, electricity supply is not constant. To operate the micro-chip option, one would need electricity to power the equipment used to read the data on a biometric passport. It therefore makes perfect sense in choosing the 2D mode. Also as I’ve mentioned it is more secure, cost-effective and the 2D Bar Code cannot be damaged without damaging the whole passport.
  
  The new biometric passport is more effective in many ways. The old mythical system of someone applying on your behalf (most people are duped via this process) is done away with. You just pick up your form, fill it and add your old passport or the relevant documents like birth certificates to your application, your details are taken (including a photograph at the same venue), and you’re given a submission receipt cum a turn-around date to pick up your passport. All of it done at the nearest Passport Application Centre (PAC).
• March 19, 2010
• 9:15

  Nigeria is Shamefully a Fragment of Christians and Muslims put Together?

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  "By their fruits ye shall know them." It's a phrase we are all familiar with--it obviously holds more truth than we usually would want to believe. As for some of us, we are careful in concealing our real intentions. Indeed, others could conceal it so well so that the very discovery of what they are really is also so subtle. Such is the case of Muamar Gaddafi.
  
  The Libyan leader has made headlines in Africa over the past few years after he took the "African Unity now" position. I'm for that position too but if that is the way we must go instead of regional blocks, we must also be prepared to do the underground creative work to fashion a system so ingeniously African, modernistic in its approach yet traditional, and most importantly humane. So I'm in Gaddafi's camp or he is in my camp.
  
  But this is not the reason for which I write this piece. Nigeria continues to prove its critics right of her inability to hold the country together as one country, with one people! It is absurd, and appalling to see fellow Nigerians (fellow Africans) fight over nothing, BUT RELIGIONS IMPORTED HERE WHICH HAS BEEN USED TO DESTROY AFRICANS. Sometimes it makes one wish Christianity and Islam did not take root here in Africa at all. But it is hard given the fact that most Africans are now either Christian or Muslim--and they know nothing about their real selves. Don't get it wrong because within religion, law, humour etc is cast the traditions of a people. So if you have foreign religions--which was used as a medium to deceive and colonise you--it cannot be very good for you.
  
  So here Col Gaddafi goes betraying himself and his beliefs in African unity by suggesting to Nigerians (his fellow Africans) to split the country along religious lines. This is sad. Nigeria is not Europe, western Europe!!! The Nigerians are really infuriated over the colonel's comments. Who wouldn't be? But isn't Gaddafi saying the obvious? Isn't Nigeria telling the rest of Africa and the sinile world out there that she is a country of Muslims and Christians (which is not true)? But who cares what is true? What we know is what we see! But Gaddafi is saying what most of the world is thinking of Nigeria.
  
  It is important to know the root causes of the current situation in Nigeria. Nigeria was a highly traditional African society. Its people believed in their ancestors and they were democratic (check the Yoruba and their council of elders) up until the inception of Christianity and Islam. Then to compound everything, the British attempt indirect rule in the south of the country like they have been doing elsewhere. As if that was not enough, they sat in Berlin in 1884/5 with their colleague Europeans and Americans to draw artificial boundaries for the country and many others in Africa. REMEMBER AT THE MEETING NO AFRICAN FROM AFRICA WAS THERE!!!
  
  So today, Nigeria is a fragment put together. I have no word for those living there because I'm sure they have enough proverbs to express their looming demise. They should change the song they are singing presently. Gaddafi meanwhile should watch his mouth, no he shouldn't so that we could see who he really is!!!
• March 13, 2010
• 15:15

  Let's Sell The Government too

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  This has been on my mind for some time now. Why do we in Ghana have a bad past of selling our home-grown companies to foreigners at all? I'm so irated so that I cannot do a full write-up on this topic.
  
  We sell everything that we have not proved capable of managing. But is that the way to go about these things. Do we want to improve as a people, or employ consultants from overseas who only corrupt us the more, or sell half shares of our properties to other nationals who only shortchange us?
  
  If there is anything to sell at all, we should sell the government of Ghana to the dogs!!
• March 02, 2010
• 7:00

  How would you like One Ghana Cedi for a Monthly salary Minister???

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Why is it that we as a people know what is right and never do it? In this modern age, a teacher in Ghana receives One Ghana Cedis as a monthly salary. That very same teacher gets a meagre salary at the end of the month and gets poor conditions of service for teaching.
  Why this is so, I'm sure it is a puzzle for us all. But it ceases to be a puzzle the moment we confront the issues and stop the excuses.
  
  In Ghana, the teacher is expected to teach and raise the future leader. Nobody cares about the tools he or she needs to perform those tools. So what is the use of a farmer without her or his farming tools? In times past, parents sent gifts (including foodstuffs) to teachers in the schools. Today, we all see things differently and sadly so to our disadvantage.
  
  The governments (I know Dr. Kwame Nkrumah did better with teachers and even went to the extent of establishing a university college just for the training of teachers) over the years have been disappointment in looking out for the teacher. Instead of things getting better, it is rather getting worse. Records available show that a large chunk of teachers who leave the classroom to go and further their education, say at the university, do not return to the service. Those teachers who take the study leave (this group receive some funds from the Education Service) return to the classroom only to leave again within 3 years never to return. What accounts for this?
  
  Take a quick glance at the kind of service offered to teachers. It is simply poor and they have complained. We want teachers take up duties in rural Ghana, and yet there no package serving as an incentive. I had an interview with 4 teachers who are now studying for a degree at the University of Ghana. I asked them if they will return to the classroom after their studies. The response from one of the teachers was revealing "I graduated with colleagues who a year or two later have acquired a house or apartment and are leaving good. How am I supposed to stay teaching and remain poor? That my friend works in a bank and the other is an accountant!"
  He has a point. All the teachers told me they will leave the teaching service after a year or two unless things improve.
  
  Now the National Association of Graduate Teachers has proceeded on strike action. I support them in a way simply because it appears those government officials understand nothing aside strikes and suffering on a mass scale. They are so absurd. A bunch of western educated elite who cannot make a decision just because they are education. Their very education has become their misery. The Ghana Education Service, ministry of education and the executive should organise themselves and come up with solutions to solve the problem. One Ghana Cedi for an allowance indeed!!
• March 01, 2010
• 17:02

  The NPP and 2016

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Seriously speaking, should the New Patriotic Party be thinking it will return to power come 2010? Pal, I am not about to talk of a party with its own internal infernos. We all have our problems. Over the weekend, the party elected new national executives to lead the party and later nominations will be opened for those interested in leading the party in 2012 to file their candidacy. I still cannot put the thought away. Why don't Ghanaians allow the ruling National Democratic Congress 8 years?
  
  The NDC may not be Ghana's best shot--it is needless to mention the pitfalls we have seen in just a little over a year of their governance. I do not even have to mention the already broken promises.
  I mean I do not agree with the NDC and their mode of governance. But I believe they should be given the chance, the goodwill, just like president Kufuor received in 2001.
  
  The NPP should work hard within its rank and develop good plans for this country instead of fighting among themselves.
  
  I think we should give the NDC the chance to prove their point. 4 years is just not enough. And I still have my doubts about the premature abortion of policies in Ghana. 4 years is such a short time to determine if the current educational policies is the best or not. Therein my argument lies. Mine has nothing to do with political power. In 2001, Ghanaians experience sharp general hardships. fast-forward to 2009, a similar situation has reared its ugly head. I'm sure it will happen again in 2012 if a change should happen.
  I am just one man. No one knows what will happen in 2012, but for now we must pressure government to intitutionalised some of these policies and save Ghanaians the usual dosage of the suffering pills they never bought.
• 16:40

  Stop Polluting African Women

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  In Africa, when the woman is admired and her beauty is spoken of or written about, it is because she is beautiful really. If Europeans and their descendants think it is objectification when their men talk about it, so be it for them. Here in Africa we love our women and we have ways of showing this affection. One of these mediums is to talk about their body, their womanhood, their intelligence et cetera. It is Africa and we have our own ways of doing things. For far too long, so many things have been pushed down on us to swallow without mastication.
  
  As for those African women who are pushing down our throat this damaging idea that is already choking us; as for those our sisters who are deceiving other African women into seeing things the Euro-American way, they must stop before it is too late. They must pause and think through our history—if they have an idea about what it is—whether telling African women they are beautiful, that they have nicely drawn buttocks and shape, turns them into objects. Why must it be so? As for those Europeans who propagate their ideas in Africa, I have no words for them. African women should see that African men them wholly, that they do not see women as object so whoever tries to make them think that only seeks the disintegration of African men and women.
  
  Those Europeans and Americans who try to tell us what we should do in Africa or believe in do not have an idea of what this place is or which people live here. To them Africa is this land mass filled with nation-states, the very nation-state their forefathers created at the Berlin Conference in 1884-1885.
  
  Now I feel like singing!!!
  
  From the street corner to that shop on the high street in Ouagadougou, Dakar or Zimbabwe the “white Barbie doll” must be banished and the sale of it halted forever. The children in our villages and cities must be stopped from singing about snow and the Christmas tree. They hold nothing for us as Africans. And if those reverend fathers love this continent very much like I do, they will understand the psychological trauma they put these children through.
  
  From the primary schools in Nairobi to the secondary schools in Ghana, our young girls must be allowed to grow their hair. Mothers and fathers who pressure their children into weaving their hair with some horse tail from China or some jell cream from London should cease from committing this crime. They only kill our young girls, their confidence in themselves as Africans and anything African. And if those parents love their daughters and their future like I do, they will see wisdom and stop perpetuating the colonial madness meant to imprison African women psychologically, making them feel inferior of themselves that they need the hair of a European to augment their essence as African women.
  
  From Kejetia in Kumasi to Makola in Accra, let the women feel proud of their body, big or small. May they or their daughters never feel the pressure from the films they see on TV to reduce their size to the size of the sugarcane stick. Let the men continue to admire and to glorify the women for what and who they are, both physically and intellectually. If the women are clever like I think they are, they will know that their body is spoken of by African men not because they seek to objectify the women, but because they love and adore them the way they are.
• 16:35

  Africa Still on my Mind

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  This month should be big. I plan to dedicate it all to Africa, the liberation that was halted and aborted after independence, and the fight that we must fight still. Please read on...
  
  “The continent is too large to describe. It is a veritable ocean, a separate planet, a varied, immensely rich cosmos. Only with the greatest simplification, for the sake of convenience, can we say “Africa.” In reality, except as a geographical appellation, Africa does not exist.” Ryszard Kapuscinski in "The Shadow of the Sun"
  
  So let’s get this done and over done with. We are not alone and neither have we been left alone by our uninvited Invaders and Destroyers. Whatever we have been up to, we have always had detractors, and guests who poke their noses into our porridge. With their physical gone, a dirty psychological game has been designed to entrap us, to link us continually with them. We as Africans are not so innocent of this; we are not just bystanders watching our house go up in flames. Our leaders (the caretakers of this grand system put in place by the colonisers) have connived with them.
  
  The creativity of a people, an essential art we used to have, has been lost albeit not totally. However, the situation that the present African finds herself or himself in is a very conflicting one. Faced with the pressures of a system that is largely European, inhumane and non-African (most cannot even tell what is and what is not African), the young African can only be consumed by the system.
  
  For those of you who are probably thinking now that this is a pan-African narrative you have heard over and over, check again. There is no doubt that the West seeks Africa’s failure. I do not have to mention it. Their grandparents did it with force, today their sons and daughters pull the mental strings put up their forefathers. And you ask “what about all those loans and grants?” Check again, they never benefitted the people of this continent; but, it rather served the destructive purposes of the same West. We have a bunch of Western-educated elite who have white European and American advisors on their throat spending the same loans and grants from these very European and American governments.
  
  They never really help! And please do not worry yourself with too much thinking about why we do not stop this. I remember former president Kufuor saying Africa does not need the loans and grants; that if Europe and America want to extend a hand in good faith, they should share idea, share technology for development. The thing is that there is no reason why they should when Europe’s sustenance (the advantages of a good life and the feeding of their industries) depends on Africa’s failure (her inability to advance, remain impoverished and turn to Europe and America for help, chaos).
  
  The solution lies here and we must do something with our intellectuals, our academics. A grand body of African researchers could be assembled for the common interest of this continent, our motherland. We must begin to do away with calling ourselves Angolans, Zimbabweans, Togolese, Egyptians, Nigerians or Ghanaians. We must begin to teach African history prior to the advent of Europeans and the beginning of our destruction. We must teach our children to think beyond their artificial borders.
  
  In case you did not know, our governments have been compromised. We vote them, but they do not carry our wishes and purposes. The governance systems we run are not African, they are not democratic and that is why if anything substantial could be done in Africa for Africa, we must bypass the bed sharers of the Destroyers.
• February 27, 2010
• 0:16

  A WAKE AT 4a.m. AND POST A POEM

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  Just like any other good artist (and you can add the 'e' if you like) out there, I have the third eye of things. So one time, I considered the third eye of what educational policy has been in Ghana, and I decided to write this poem on it. Our politicians have become scientists in a lab testing policies on our children. Before the results of the test is out, they abort the test prematurely, then institute another test. What kind of life is this? But I promise to come back to this topic. Or, you just have to remind me of it.
  "The Present"
  
  Somebody is not thinking
  Minds dislodged in heads
  A fountain at Legon springs forth
  A first year defecates on some dried faeces in the toilet
  Wiping himself with leaves expunged
  From the centre pages of his newly bought book
  The best burning lights in the wind
  Of mind domination has been lost.
  
  Of doings bearing inedible fruits today
  The fashioned streamlining of the thought process
  Long buried in the trenches of doom in ancient days
  Altered, altered, altered
  Every imposed master pig-testing Minds
  
  
  The openings of light on the hill
  Has become refuge not to the knowledge seeking
  Certainly not a hub for new things
  Certainly not the Nation’s best hope
  
  Legon, September 2008
• February 24, 2010
• 14:41

  Kwame Nkrumah The Legend: 44 Years on

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  The beauty of life, therein lies the worst ugliness. I read somewhere that beauty is sought in religion and love and if it is sought just for pleasure it degrades the seeker. I dare say that the seeking of beauty via love is so much of a powerful force so often underrated by us all. I recall Che Guevera of Cuba. It was pure love though some may disagree with his methods. Same goes for Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and of Africa and for all black conscious folks around this ugly yet beautiful planet.
  
  The chaos has always been the method, not the love? But see, these men are driven by sheer passion, love for country and people. Regardless, of all the politics, Dr. Nkrumah stands tall today. Look around the globe and it is difficult to find a match. The man may have his faults just like anyone driven by love, by beauty, by passion. That is how the mistakes are made; but, in the end, victory is celebrated. What albeit is most important is what happens en route to that journey.
  
  A man speaking ahead of his time, fraught with detractors from within and without, still forged ahead with his convictions about how a new people can develop themselves without patronage from destroyers anywhere. And once convictions are formed, they must defended or so says Gandhi.
  
  On 24 February, a few soldiers out of sheer avarice with the aid of destroyers and haters of Africa's independence overthrew Dr. Nkrumah. The man held no beef against those poor souls. But what has happened since that singular incident remains for all Ghanaians (and the Africa Union) to see. A chequered past filled with bigots and comical military characters rolled our development further back. Progress stalled as we all watched. That day was Ghana's Day of Shame!!! And we are still suffering for it.
  
  The debate of who is founder of this great nation is balderdash to me. It should be for any serious person wanting to see us improve us a people. I sense I am getting a little angry now. But one more word:
  
  A pal told me that Kwame Nkrumah would not sit and watch Ghanaians sleep on the streets while he slept in a presidential palace. Indeed, he would be turning in his grave by now. His smile will only be that what he set out to achieve is still remembered by those few insightful ones.
• February 22, 2010
• 9:58

  Showing Politeness and A New Way to Listen to Open Air Theatre

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  In class today, my English professor raised questions regarding the way Ghanaians living in Ghana use politeness when speaking English. What was her beef? You probably have not thought about this, but Ghanaians have a funny way of using 'please' for politeness. The point to note is that English as a language offers a variety of ways in which one can express politeness during speech.
  
  Generally speaking, in Ghana this is chiefly done via the use of 'please.' And pal, if you speak any of the over 40 languages in Ghana, you would know why this is happening. So I kept laughing about this issue of 'please' replacing 'can/could,' 'will/would' cum other forms like 'I was wondering.'
  
  In actual fact, it has caused problems for other people in this country so make the effort.
  
  Ok I'm done with that one. This Sunday, Ghana's number literary show spearheaded by poetry live on Radio Univers 105.7 came off as always. But here is the news, you can now listen to the a recorded version of the show here
  and here also. It is 10 minutes each. More is to come so watch out.
• February 20, 2010
• 14:03

  A Country on Fire

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  I have written about this before. If I remember very well, it was when news broke of the foreign affairs building in Accra, and it was not the first then but the third in Accra alone. The fires has not stopped since then.
  
  Following the earlier fire outbreaks has been that of the house of former President Rawlings and the ministry of information. Just this evening, news reports has it that the Ghana Broadcast Corporation has caught fire. Fortunately, the fire service have saved the situation.
  
  We have poor knowledge of protection when it comes to fire. All of us! The national fire service has stepped up its own efforts to educate Ghanaians on fire fighting and prevention. It even has a website for this purpose and others. But it is a service with less resources. What it means is that they cannot respond as quickly and promptly as they are expected to.
  
  And if there is something good at all in all this fires, it is that it should make us take the necessary steps we have yet to take. We should equip the fire service instead of signing away contracts that never get executed to expatriates and giving car loans to MPs who have several cars already!!! We are a nation on fire, yet we are sleeping through it.
• 11:54

  EUROPEANS AND AMERICAN PROMOTE CORRUPTION IN GHANA, IN AFRICA

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  The narrative goes like this: The Black man is corrupt by nature, corruption is indigenous to the African continent, to its people; the white European is incorruptible and also a righteous anti-corruption campaigner. But I tell you it is all a media dance, a perpetuation of the contamination of the psychology of a people to see themselves as evil, capable of evil only. Obama continued this malarkey when he came here July 2009. But that will come later; after all he is a brother of the land so we must be careful.
  
  I remember while reading the New African magazine (NA Jan 2010), I came across minutes of meetings (Annex I of the Vodafone papers) of secret negotiations between former President Kufuor and Vodafone International Holding B.V cum British government team when the latter group wanted to acquire a stake in the state-owned Ghana Telecom. The secret meeting included British deputy commissioner in Accra, Menna Rawlings, Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin and James Cribb, head of UK Trade and Investment at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.
  
  These meetings took place at a time when Vodafone’s bid for GT had been thrown out by the transaction advisors for government, Ecobank Development Corporation (EDC). So why was the UK government officials meeting former President Kufuor? Was it to bribe former president Kufuor and force their way in? Several of these meetings took place between Vodafone and former President Kufuor while the bidding process was still on-going and was officially under EDC. The Vodafone papers give dates: 9 November 2007, 13-14 November 2007 all in Accra and later 9 March 2008 in London.
  
  Also note that Telkom SA had made an approved offer ‘based on the enterprise value of $1.65bn for 100% of GT representing a purchase price 947m for 66.67% equity stake.’ This offer exceeds any previous offer by any bidder. Yet former President Kufuor met with Vodafone and UK officials. Vodafone submitted a new offer of $900m representing 70% shares plus the Fire Optics Backbone. This was far lower than what Telkom SA had presenting properly to the transaction advisors. On the other hand, former President Kufuor negotiated and agreed on the price among other things. What happened after is a story we all know. The government terminated the contract of Ecobank Development Corporation of the Ecobank Group which it had appointed to strike a deal on behalf of government and the people of Ghana.
  
  But the UK government had succeeded in sending our laws to the refuse dump and had helped in entrenching corruption one more time. Remember the Mabey and Johnson case where it was alleged that some government officials in Ghana and also in Jamaica had been bribed by the UK company?
  
  Ghana is no stranger to such news of European powers helping to entrench corruption in Africa (through their home companies) while on the other hand these very European powers make corruption as African, and for Africans. These European governments are more corrupt, even in conscience. But let me come back to Mr. Craig Murray’s case because the Brit made some revealing statements. In his article, he said the UK government prohibited him from making any statements that will show any UK company as involved in corruption. Mr. Murray was told NEVER TO MENTION BRITISH CORRUPTION!
  
  When it was discovered that UK MPs were stealing from public coffers and taking huge monies for buildings they never intended to occupy, the speaker of parliament resigned and nothing happened to the MPs themselves, the corrupt ones. But that wasn’t all; the story was reported never as corruption! I couldn’t help laughing at this people. Who are they kidding? That was a question Baffour Ankomah posed in his column in New African, Baffour’s Beefs when he wrote of how the West endorsed a sham election in Afghanistan and condemned one in Africa.
  
  It is for the African to be aware of the sinister agenda of Western Europe and America. The thievery will not stop. Their companies will continue to show disrespect to our processes, to our laws, to our people. We are the only ones who can stop this devilish rundown. And if you have yet to hear, there are reported cases of misconduct by these oil companies presently in Ghana including EO.
• 11:45

  Craig Murray: A Case of Conscience

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  “I must never mention British company corruption.” Words of Mr. Craig Murray, making reference to the UK government attempt to shut him up.
  
  He is a former British envoy (deputy commissioner) to Ghana, chairman of 3 companies (one of which is in the energy sector), frequent visitor to Ghana (he says he loves this country) and ultimately calls himself an “anti-corruption” campaigner.
  
  The majority of Ghanaians until this Brit was given the space to make known his allegation, had no idea of the Mr. Craig Murray. Mr. Murray, earlier, published an article in which he made damning allegations against Zakhem International Construction Limited and Balkan also of bribing government officials et cetera involved in energy deals.
  
  THE CONTRACT
  Well over a 100 million Euros of contract sum was awarded, 39 million paid by the Ghana government paid up front to this energy company to work at Kpong. 3 years after the contract and payments, nothing has happened; not even a foundation has been laid yet at the Kpong power station. A reporter from Citi fm corroborated Mr. Murray’s statement.
  According to Mr. Murray he approached former President Kufuor and his Chief of Staff Mr. Kojo Mpianim at the time indicating to them that no construction work is been done at the Kpong power station. He therefore requested Mr. Mpianim to go with him to the site who was disappointed that noi work has been done.
  
  Some years later Mr. Murray writes about these issues espousing the corrupt acts of these European companies. He also added that he spoke to His Excellency the vice president of the Republic of Ghana cum the minister for Energy Dr. Oteng Adjei. It is worth noting that we are told investigations into the matter has commenced but NOT without the interference of the UK government; and there is the possibility of investigators inviting Mr. Murray to appear before it. Mr. Murray said on radio that he will be willing to fly into Ghana.
  
  THE STRANGE HAPPENS
  As Mr. Murray continued to spew smelly accusations in the Ghanaian and international media, another ugly monster reared its head. The former Chief of Staff of former President Kufuor while speaking on radio in reaction to Mr. Murray’s assertion said former president Kufuor’s administration had awarded a contract to Mr. Murray to help him out of his financial difficulties at the time.
  
  
  
  The substance of Mr. Murray’s issue matters more than his motives. To make it short what was done wrong and by whom. If what the Chief of Staff was true, then there was a breach of the procurement law when Mr. Murray was given a contract out of favour. But see, if Mr. Murray had not asked the Chief of Staff or any other official for that matter, would the whole thing have taken place? By extension, it would have been difficult for Ghana to know the possibility of some UK companies taking Ghanaian tax payer monies and running off with it. It raises serious issues also about following up to inspect construction contracts awarded to companies to see if these companies are executing the projects they have been paid for to do.
  
  Mr. Murray told Ghanaians that he got to know of the corrupt activities of these companies from the WEST because he was involved in the energy sector in Ghana (remember he is chairman of one company at that). Instead of addressing the issues, Mr. Mpianim decides to rubbish Mr. Murray’s allegations. In the process, he gulps up more than he should have thereby raising further questions.
  
  A ranking member on the parliamentary committee on Energy, Moses Asaga said “we couldn’t see anything new they had done. I don’t think Balkan had added anything. The project manager who is an American was not transparent.” Now that is a serious statement.
  
  Mr. Murray said himself that foreign powers are “diplomatically putting Ghana off.” Are these not the very governments that tell us in Africa that we must fight corruption? It is obvious that when corruption activities involve Europeans and Americans, it must not be mentioned or if mentioned it must not be corruption!
  
  If what Mr. Craig Murray telling lies or simple truths, we should just disclose these things. May be Mr. Murray is one of those repented Europeans who are true than their governments. We should just investigate these allegations. Period!
  
  myjoyonline.com
• February 19, 2010
• 11:39

  The Dogs of Our Time

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  THE MADNESS OF POWER
  
  But then and again humanity want none of that really. We still want to exercise that independent right to show that we are humans, that we are powerful. The spokesman of former President Rawlings, Mr. Kofi Adams, says he reported to the police upon hearing on Radio Gold that a panellist has knowledge of who caused the fire at the former first family’s residence. He then proceeded to Top Radio apparently to secure a copy of the programme that morning while the programme was still airing. And guess what, a crowd gather at the radio station and the police appear there also. (Now that is pure balderdash because there was no way Mr. Adams could have secured a copy of the morning show while it was still running. And why the hell did the police follow him? The police said they received reports that a crowd had gathered at Radio Gold and that the crowd threatened the life of one of the panellists on the morning show. Utter absurdity!)
  
  Pal, see I think Mr. Adams just like what the narrator of Dostoyevsky’s Notes from the Underground says, wants to show he can exercise that power, the independent decision and justify it even if he was wrong. The charges proffered against Nana Darquah Baafi said something like publishing falsity with the intention of causing fear and panic. Damn it! Saying that the Rawlings’ burnt down their own home will not make my 9-year old brother panic! So damn it!!!
  
  WHERE IT ALL COMES TO
  
  If the police arrested Nana Darquah and prosecuted the case that same day (remember the attorney general is in charge of this), then all the many other cases should be prosecuted too. And before you oppose me by saying well no one reported any of those other cases, remember that it is the duty of the police service and the Attorney General and other investigative bodies to act before any case is brought before them granted the case merits their attention.
  
  Mr. Rawlings has made several statements that merit his prosecution according to this new standard set by his own spokesman, Mr, Adams. He called former president Kufuor a thief and compared him to a convicted criminal called Ataa Ayi. He again said the executive of former president Kufuor’s administration were killers and said the New Patriotic Party was responsible for the murder of Mobilla. His almighty “boom” speech caused panic certainly. Nothing happened to him. You might want to think of selective justice, that this man Nana Darquah has suffered in jail for SPEAKING HIS MIND. But such is the foolishness of man.
  
  The NPP MPs in parliament organised a press conference this morning and outlined some of these issues. For them, it is political persecution and vindictiveness, travesty of justice, interference of the executive in the judiciary; for me, it is public trust in the systems we have set for ourselves as a people. But human nature dictates that humanity would always want to go against rules she had set for herself. This is the pitfall we must guard against. Nana Darquah was released later this afternoon after the NPP MPs had boycotted parliamentary proceeding until further notice.
  
  I remember the General Secretary of the now ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) referred to the 17 presidential aspirants of the New Patriotic Party as thieves gathering to elect a chief thief. Nothing happened to him.
  
  More recently was that of the propaganda secretary of the NDC, Richard Quashigah who said the earthquake scare was started by opponents of his party. The earthquake scare caused panic, yet why wasn’t Mr. Quashigah arrested or invited by the police to substantiate his claims?
  
  But then and again that is what happens when freedoms are protected by the dogs!
• 11:00

  Protection of Freedoms by the Dogs

   » ‎ Sarpong Obed-ready to chew
  On the morning of the 14th of February, upon hearing the news that the residence of the former first family has been burnt down to ashes, I turned to my roommates and said: “That is not all there is to it. I think it is possible for the Rawlings’ to have burnt down or be involved in burning down their home.” My roommates were of the same mind, burn down the house (chaos) then get a new one (solution). It all seems absolutely plausible within the dynamics and well within the grasp of any thinking mind devoid of the social filtering. I needn’t hear someone say it somewhere. I said it in my room, and like it or not, I have the right to say so wherever. If you say I’m irresponsible, then I tell you to tell the police service that as smart people, they should consider all possibilities; and, that includes the one I said in my room.
  
  But pal oh pal; see I have been reading a lot of writers, of late, who engage with one of the basic questions of life: Meaning or Meaninglessness of this vast globe. From the journeys of Nikos Kazantzakis’ 'Report to Greco' through to Albert Camus’ third option of life in 'The Myth of Sisyphus'; John Milton’s 'Paradise Lost' to Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s brilliance and spiteful narrator in 'Notes from the Underground'.
  
  One thing I have realised is that man is absurd. There is the alluring idea that humanity loves the normal, the order, the peace, the prosperity and the many advantages one can possibly list. That is only partially true when one considers what is supreme to all these advantages. In Dostoyevsky’s words “the advantageous of advantages.” That ultimate desire is for man to exercise his independent right to make a choice. He doesn’t need to resort to reason because in fact, his will for independent is almost always not in consonance with reason.
  
  Now fast-forward to the 18th of February, a young man sits on radio, says the very same things my roommates and I said 4 days before, he is arrested from the radio station and presented before a circuit court that very day and is remanded in prison for 2 weeks by a judge who on two occasions while the defendants presented their case consulted his mobile phone. I do not need to say that the process is a mockery of our justice system. There are several people are in our prisons –guilty and innocent alike—who are as yet to see the face of a judge. It is not the first time an issue has been fast tracked once it involved any ‘high profile’ Ghanaian. I condemn what has happened in the past and what Mr. Adams and the Rawlings are doing today.
  
  Several people in this country fought for the criminal libel law to be repealed and replaced with a civil one. The case of this young man should be an issue for all of us whether we sit on radio, tv or we write for the newspapers or to our blogs. If there is ever a time when one person feels the statements of another has caused or is likely to cause a defamation or anything like it, the offended person proceeds to file a law suit against the one who made the statement. In the process, we can all as a people say what we want without fear of arrest and still have a medium to address the concerns of those who feel they have not been treated right in the exercise thereof. That is civility, that is normal, and that is reason.
  
  I continue this later!