State of Affairs Pt 1

Ghana's Independence Arch

I try as much as possible to stay away from publicly commenting on political issues but sometimes, no matter how hard you try to see life through rose coloured glasses, reality must be faced. I never cease to mention how beautiful a country Ghana is. I am proud of my country, her people and the slow but sure progress she's making in the midst of major infrastructural and other seemingly insurmountable setbacks. Ghana is a developing country which is wholeheartedly embracing or attempting to embrace democracy. It's great that people have the freedom to openly support whichever political party they want without fear of persecution. However, with freedom always comes responsibility. I feel that the political parties and their supporters in the quest for democracy have forgotten a fundamental truth: The Republic of Ghana is bigger than any individual in this country.

In attempting to fulfill their individual agendas, these parties are creating an unnecessary division. I say unnecessary because being on different ends of the political spectrum does not mean these parties should never agree on anything. The norm in Ghanaian politics is that when one party says something whether right or wrong, the other party says the exact opposite. This immature approach to politics is the reason why this country's growth is stagnated and Ghana is not where it should be despite how blessed she is with natural resources and well educated minds. A government comes into power and starts projects which come to a halt when that government is out of power, never to be continued until that government comes back into power. So if a government starts a good project that will propel the nation forward and it goes out of power for 20 years, must that project simply come to a halt because a new government is in power? Granted, all political parties have their own ideologies; centrist, liberal democrat, social democrat, centre right, Nkrumahist etc, but don't all these ideologies have one end result? That a country and its people should thrive and prosper after all is said and done? If Ghana should mature in politicking, we cannot continue to go about politics the way we are going about it now because it is not in the interest of anyone concerned: we will all lose in the end. Politicians and us the people, must always remember that in spite of our differences, Ghana is our home; our past, our present and should we put her interests ahead of our personal interests, our bright and prosperous future.

For political parties, it's always a competition to win power so maybe they cannot see the damage this competition is causing. Thing is, sometimes, winning isn't everything.

Loose Cannons

I am a huge fan of democracy, people exercising their constitutional rights and such. I know many people are going to disagree with me but I have always felt that certain freedoms especially freedom of speech shouldn't be to put it in a nice way, "too free". Is there any such thing as too much freedom of speech? 

Many people advocate for freedom of speech but always forget the responsibility aspect that comes hand in hand with freedom of any sort; it's a package, you can't choose one and leave the other. As Ghana develops, a lot of people advocate for certain freedoms the most common being freedom of speech. Freedom of speech has been abused by journalists, "serial callers", social commentators, politicians and the average Ghanaian. I don't listen to the radio anymore; I just cringe every time I do because there are so many loose cannons on air. Loose cannons are not only annoying and stupid, but are a danger to themselves and the people around them. They are people who seem to think they are authorities on issues they have no business at all talking about. There's nothing more annoying than a semi educated person who believes that by virtue of being a social commentator or a journalist of some sort, he or she is an authority on economics and understands how the economy of the country works. It gets me thinking, "How the hell did they get on air?!!" These loose cannons are the ones who always make senseless, baseless, down right stupid statements that just get everyone thinking, "What the &*$k!!?" And you wonder why and how they have been given the platform to even talk in the first place. 

In a country where people won't take the time to actually understand the true cause of issues and make politically biased decisions, the media and people with access to a broad listener base have the responsibility of educating the masses. Sadly, this hardly happens. The media will gladly perpetuate a bias or a stereotype; I don't know if they do this to keep their listener base or they just enjoy the confusion that occurs. When people are called to account for such unruly comments they hide under the blanket of 'Freedom of speech". If that speech is so free, why hide under that blanket? Own your comments and statements, stand by them and defend them. Others make certain statements too because they feel the statements are true so it's okay to make them. Thing is, it's not just about making the statements; it's about the domino effect those statements can cause. Therein lies the problem. The thing about freedom is that, your freedom can infringe on mine; the loose cannons on air are infringing on my freedom to peace of mind and sensible conversation whenever I turn on my radio. So how do we deal with that? 

If you can't be responsible with your speech, you don't deserve the freedom to say what you like. Period.

Nothing Lasts Forever

I've been away from this blog for far too long! As always I will blame procrastination and not myself :-)

It's rather unfortunate that death has directed me back to this blog. Two days ago I lost a friend and a father. My friend from secondary school passed away after suffering a sickle cell crises and my great country lost our leader and father through a short illness. Although these are very sad developments, I am filled with joy at the outcome. It's rather unfortunate that it takes such horrible circumstances for people to appreciate the important things in life. My great nation has been united in grief after this tragic and very sudden death of our president, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills. As someone who was sick and tired of the juvenile political antics of the major political parties in the country, I am pleasantly surprised at the maturity that has been shown at this time. People have desisted from making the death of the president political and those who have tried have been quickly dressed down. Political parties and their supporters are working hand in hand to keep a sense of calm and stability. It's so refreshing and surprising to see this; however, I wonder why political parties do not work together on important issues of concern to the average Ghanaian. I guess tragedy does make people stop and think about their actions. 

The death of my friend has caused me to pause and think about life and it's brevity.  At least the late president lived his life to a lovely age of 68 but my friend was just 24. Twenty four and just starting life, early twenties; the time when most young people are coming into their own, making grown up decisions, starting to understand life, contributing to their community and just living their lives. The saying life is short is cliche but certainly apt. The sudden and tragic demise of these two amazing people is testimony to the fact that our time here on earth is limited and at time any of us can be told to "Stop work, and come home." Imagine all their dreams and aspirations that have died with them. We must enjoy our lives and the lives of the people we love and who love us; pursue excellence in everything, abhor mediocrity. Really, what do we lose even if we fail at something? Nothing! Our egos will be bruised, yes, but we also gain pride in knowing we tried and can look forward to the next day which will bring an opportunity to try again.  

My condolences to the bereaved family and friends. I pray for comfort and strength during this very difficult time. 

Nothing Lasts Forever; YOLO.

Tact -__-

And the award goes to...........!!!

I can never get over how some people can be so tactless!  You think you've heard the most tactless thing being said and another person comes and takes you by surprise with an even more tactless thing.  I'm Ghanaian and when I say a lot of Ghanaians don't have tact, I know what I'm saying.  Some of the cringe inducing things I've heard said to others and even to myself are:

Ah, you've become fat oo! I don't understand why people say this.  Do they say this assuming the person doesn't know they've added on a couple of pounds?  This statement is usually the first thing they say when they see said "fat" person.  I feel that sometimes when people don't have anything to say they just feel the need to say "You've become fat oo!"  The follow up statement is usually, "Ei what have you been eating? Tell me so I eat some."  (said with a very annoying smile)  If the maker of that statement wants to be even more annoying, they will go ahead to poke you.  These comments are even more annoying when they're written as comments on someone's Facebook picture.  Seriously though, if you don't have anything to say when you meet someone, a smile works just fine.  

Jah Rastafari! This happened to me 2 weeks ago on my way to work on a beautiful Monday morning.  Over the weekend I had gotten my hair twisted with some funky corn rows on the sides.  I sit in the car, I'm driving, minding my own business, enjoying the morning breeze, when a random man passing by suddenly shouts "Jah Rastafari!"  So I turn wondering why, then he starts gesturing to my hair and smiling.  WTF?!  Like seriously dude?  He WAS NOT even a rasta man so I'm not sure what solidarity he was even showing me.  I'm not Rastafarian either but even if I was should that warrant yelling "Jah Rastafari" at me in public?  Like I see a Muslim and shout "Allah" or see a Christian and yell "Jesus", how rude would that be?  I can only imagine what Rastafarians go through in this country.

Maame gbontos/ Naa Fofo Bobison:  Hm! This one it the most annoying one ever!  Is it criminal to have a huge ass or big boobies?  Lol!  It starts right from primary school so now we know where the tactlessness begins.  Maame Gbontos -___________- Naa Fofo aka Breastina -________- ...... there'll be no end in sight if I start to rant on these stupid names.

Shalai tui:  Lmao!  I do not want to be Asian in Ghana!  Does anyone remember that Cargo Gin bitters adverts where the Asian man said "Shalai tui"?  I swear every time I see someone Asian in public in Accra, some stupid thoughtless person shouts "Shalai tui" and laughs and walks off.  How rude and insensitive!  But I guess that has some meaning since it was said on television so it's much better than the meaningless words people ramble in what they feel is Chinese. Criiiinnnggggeeee!! In as much as this is funny (sometimes), it's embarrassing and shows some amount of disrepect and racial intolerance.  What if "Shalai tui" is Mandarin and we shout it at a Korean person?  I'm sure to them it's as annoying as how foreigners who come to Ghana ask everyone "Eti sen" assuming that we all speak Twi.  

What are some of the most tactless comments you've heard? 

Road Rage Diaries: What NOT to do in Traffic

Traffic is the bane of my existence, I cannot further emphasize this point.  Being stuck in traffic makes me cranky and very irritated all day especially when I'm driving myself.  Argh!  I hate traffic!  I'm stuck in traffic almost everyday even on the weekends; especially on the weekends.  Saturday evenings are the worst!  I think I'm experienced enough to give advice on what to and what not to do when you're in traffic. To be honest when you're in traffic there's only so much you can do: Try not to go crazy.

Moving on to what not to do:

• Don't pick your nose:  Other people may be watching you because like you they're bored.  Once in traffic, I saw a well dressed man (suit and all) pick his nose,  how he dug for that gold!  I was scared blood would gush out of his nose!  All the same I was cheering him on!  It was like a slow motion movie, I was entranced and so was everyone else watching.  After a few seconds, he hit the pot of gold, carefully guided it out of his nostril, carefully positioned it on his finger, carefully inspected it and proceeded to carefully eat it.  Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! 

• Don't make any sudden moves:  You shouldn't make any sudden moves because when there's a traffic jam, millions of hawkers appear from nowhere!  You'd think they hide behind trees or something!  The ratio of hawkers to cars is 5:1 (of course I'm exaggerating but you get the picture).  If you make any sudden moves hawkers will pounce on your car like a lion pounces on it's prey.  You will have a hard time politely nodding no to each of them trust me (been there).  Some will even start to cuss you out and I understand them, you made them sprint in the heat to your car with that driver-taking-money-out-of-bag false move you just pulled.

• Don't make eye contact:  There are two groups of people you should NEVER make eye contact with in traffic.  Well you can if you want to; be prepared to face the consequences of your actions.  The first group is people standing at bus stops.  You shouldn't make eye contact because 1. you may see someone you know and be forced to give them a lift and if you're not going their way you may be forced to go out of your way.  2. And how about the forced conversation?  I don't know if this happens to only me but when I give someone a ride I feel like I MUST entertain them and be a good hostess by engaging in conversation when I don't even want to.  The second group is beggars.  The thing about this group is when you look you give them false hope that you are going to give them some money which is mean and unfair to them.  It's like holding a bone out to a dog and when the dog comes to get it, it realizes it's not a bone but a plastic bottle or something.  If you have no intention of giving, don't look and smile and let them crawl or walk unsteadily all the way to your car only for you to smile, turn and pretend they're not at your window.  That's mean and stupid.

• Don't drive too close to the car in front of you:  There is the tendency to drive a tad bit too close to the car in front of you (bumper to bumper).  There are many reasons why you shouldn't do it 1. That car may stop and you'll find it hard to steer into the next lane. 2. You may not be paying attention and you WILL hit the car in front of you when you suddenly jerk awake from sending that text message and falsely think the queue is moving. 3. It's annoying to the driver in front of you especially if that driver is me.

Alrighty guys these are my top DON'Ts in traffic.  I will write another post soon on the DOs.

Road Rage Diaries: Speedy Gonzales

Ever have one of those days at work where the whole day came so fast then just as you're packing and getting ready to leave you get work handed to you? Ugh! I'm saving the swear words. No, I'm not. I'm cussing my life away right this minute. In my head of course. Ugh. If I had a gun I'd shoot myself in the head. That's how irritated I am. (Random rant!)

Moving on, do you know what I hate more than traffic when I'm trying to get to work? People who think they're smarter than everyone else and just drive on the wrong side of the road (usually towards on coming traffic) flashing their traffic indicators and sometimes even more annoyingly talking on their mobile phones or even worse looking like they are not in a hurry! I just want to pull my hair out and chase these people. Not to say anything of course, but to get out of the queue too *smirk*! Police and army officers are the worst offenders, followed by nobodies who think they are somebodies because sometimes, just sometimes, these nobodies are driving posh cars. To be honest, you have no business driving on the side where everyone can see you if 1. your car isn't posh and 2. if you won't drive fast and 3. it's just against the law.  Kinda like an ugly, slow moving car overtaking. Not a pretty sight. Don't do it.

I'm not sure if the police officers and nobodies have more important things to do or more important places to go than everyone else. If they do, I suggest they wake up early and leave home early like everyone else since no one is above the law in this country (apparently). Even school children wake up at 4am to get to school on time. You'd think grown ups and people supposedly meant to uphold the law will know better.  With the accident rates in this country these "grown ups" who are in more of a hurry than anyone else should if not for the sake of their own safety think of other road users like me! They drive by the sides so fast or so slowly and expect everyone at the intersection to just stop while they cut across.  Mind you, most of them are not wearing seat belts while they commit these atrocities. *rolling my eyes*

One of the police cars I have been noticing is a Hyundai i10.  It's a SWAT car which whizzes by like the speed of light.  Yes, a Hyundai i10 as a SWAT car with two burly police officers fighting to see who can occupy more space in the car. So the Ghanaian police force's SWAT team will protect us from armed robbers and such using this Hyundai i10?  I'm not saying it's a bad car but come on, you'll think a SWAT car will use a more powerful car. It's a very funny sight and whenever I see that little car absolutely nothing can spoil my mood hahaha! If you want to drive recklessly please police people not with a Hyundai i10.  We do not need to be reminded of the horrible road accident statistics in this country because frankly we all know that SWAT car will not survive.  Also, some of us are too young to die because of someone's reckless, careless behavior *rolling my eyes*

Leave home early, period! Or do what I do: Keep cool on the outside and seethe on the inside.

Hellooooooooo!!!!!

Hey guys!!

I'm pretty excited to be blogging!! A surprise seeing as I spend time bashing those "elitist" blogs.  Meet me "in chambers" and I'll give you more gist on those type of blogs.

Uncool as it sounds I'm going to say it anyway: "Watch this space!" :-P

Please do well to keep me updated with your comments and suggestions!