2012

 Just when I thought you were without hindrance

You made a jolting manifestation through the entrance

The force and falsity of your entry ended up leaving me in a trance

We laughed and cried but I always looked at you askance

I used to dance in the past, but now, i throw cans

Cans from the numerous pints I downed, not to mention the fake fans

You looked on while your virtual shove got me whirling in the pans

Even though my mind is made up, I shall never forget our romance

And rightfully so, because it was as fierce as a battle of the Romans

I’m looking forward with hope, brilliance and above all, tolerance

I promise however not to leave until I’m done with your errands

 While I wait on the threshold to introduce to my lover; a new dance

And for the first time, I’m certain of my moves without your assistance

My only concern is, you won’t be among the audience when she makes an appearance

With the gaiety of a bride being led down the aisle under his Father’s guidance

She will stride in with elegance and radiance in the hall’s ambiance.

She will whisk me away and give me a new beginning just like you had your chance

Her inconsistencies cannot be over-emphasized but I will keep my balance

In the hope that I will come out unscathed like before and not in an ambulance

You killed most of my kinsmen and claimed it was a good riddance

The last time I checked, you referred to some of them as a nuisance

And those you awarded, you only gave them pittance and assurance

But in all, you’ve taught me vigilance and endurance

And oh *sniffs* can you smell the freshness of her fragrance

As she approaches and beckons me from a distance

It signifies time to go, so thanks for the friendship and reliance

 2012, I really and honestly appreciate your mixed bag of blessings 

 and lessons.

 

The "X" factor

Symbolism may be defined as the practice or art of representing things by symbols or investing things with a symbolic meaning or character while symbols may be an object, action, or an idea that represents something other than itself, and often of an abstract nature. We are surrounded all over with symbols because it is imperative to make life easier for us. 

Symbols are found in Poetry, Science, Religion and just anything around us. Black is used to represent evil or death, white for life and purity, red is mostly for blood, passion, danger or immorality. Purple represents royalty, yellow for violence and decay while calm and peacefulness is represented by blue. Rings, mirror, time, money, emotions, letters and numbers are all representations of things that make meaning between two or more people.

However, the alphabet “X” is one of the alphabetical symbols that intrigues me a lot and would remain one of the few symbols out there that would forever make me look out. Perceptually, you can see it as two lines leaning into each other or four strokes joining at the middle. 

Basically and rightly so, my first point of contact with “X” as with most people was while learning the alphabets. Then we met it in Mathematics, which got a lot of us confused because the equation doesn’t fit nor the Cartesian plane, plain enough. Then “X” represented the Cross when we started learning about Jesus Christ. “X” represents crossroads which is often a decision making point and now it represents everything.

“X” written three times represents a rating in movies, meaning hardcore pornography. “X” represents the sizes of dresses, it also means wrong. It means closed, as even depicted on the top-right of every windows we open on our computers. “X” means cancelled or marked out and clearly, you could see that the symbol has so much connotations and denotations.

When “X” is represented in Mathematics, it usually represents the unknown, until it is found by going through some laid down principles and methods which can even be challenged. I said the answer could be challenged because usually, when you work some mathematical equations, you derive at all the objective answers if you know what I mean. So, you even realized that, a group of persons just sat down to accept and use only one or two methods and discarded the other method, which is why, you sometimes arrive at an answer but the marking scheme axes you out.

And now, there is a conspiracy to blind the whole world to desist from mentioning the name “Christ” probably because it’s so powerful and does wonders when mentioned. Christ is already known by so many and He is the poster child of Christianity which is supposed to be the most populous religion in the whole wide world, so why is someone trying to cancel “Christ” out or is it unconscious?

There are so many words in the English language that are so long and yet cannot be abbreviated even though a code could just be foisted on us, which we will accept anyway. Words like “Opportunity’, “affordability” “eventually” and so many more cannot be abbreviated no matter what, so why was it necessary to abbreviate “Christmas” to “X’mas?” where “X” represents what?

They write “Christians” as “X’tians” and the Christians themselves ignorantly bask in like an absent-minded person sways in a hammock. Why are they bent on cancelling the Christ out when it’s actually the keyword? No one cares about the word ‘dependability”, because it does not evoke any passion, yet it is spelt fully.

Dear Reader, In the spirit of Christmas, if you are guilty of writing “X’tians” and X’mas, then, it’s the right time to stop, so that anytime you precede the rest of the words with “Christ”, something should happen, but if it comes across to you as one of those baloney talks, then you might as well start writing Christ as “X”. You don’t have an excuse not to and don’t say, you keep forgetting. It’s a necessity that requires mindfulness to write “Christ” when you have to write it.

Be reminded that the Christmas is not about you; it’s a time to reflect on our relationship with Jesus Christ, whose supposed birthday it is. Have fun as you ponder over the “X-Factor”

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I beg to differ!

I have heard calls from all angles admonishing the winning party, NDC to shut the f%^k up and sit somewhere while issues emanating from the recent elections were trashed out but it doesn’t make sense to me. Everybody should know by now that winning in any endeavor of our lives does not just come out of the blues. It takes ample and thorough preparations to emerge a winner, so for someone one to put in all this work, only to be gagged and abused after winning makes me cringe and sad for us as a people who claim we are one people.

It is alright when a Gen. Sec of a political party comes to declare results, asking supporters and members to wear white, white and start jubilation but it is wrong and almost becoming criminal for the declared winners to jubilate.

Barely 24hrs after the declaration of results by the EC Boss, Dr. Afari Gyan, announcing the President elect, John Dramani Mahama, I saw people asking others to move on with their lives because elections were over and others ushering in Christmas already because they were tired of politics but I must say that, it is hypocrisy at the highest level. Why did you choose to get yourself involved in the first place? Why did you join a queue to vote if your life meant that much to you? So you could participate by discussing and commenting on activities prior to the run up in your homes, offices, vehicles and could queue up to vote and later flip through T.V. and Radio channels just to be abreast with results but not ready for the consequences of your participation? Well!

Then followed the Akan’s and some, unidentified, who had the moral high grounds to lump all the Northerners, the Gas, the Fantes and most especially the Ewes for voting on tribal lines and I was to think that voting was based on issues. People are quick to tell you that you are whipping tribal sentiments when they sat through and couldn’t tell those who were always hurling stones from glass houses to desist.

Another group had the effrontery to label the aforementioned as poor and how much they had lost the opportunity to be educated free of charge. Apart from the political will of a leader to initiate and implement policies, it is the tax-payers money that will be used to finance the policies, so why do I feel like all NPP members would actually contribute some of the earnings to make this a reality? Why do I feel like they are all educated and only want to fete the eight regions where the President elect, John Mahama won?

The logic has even lost on me because I don’t understand why some group of people should be throwing tantrums, vandalizing properties and almost holding the nation to ransom because they offered something free that was rejected. If the reason for all these outbursts and entrenched stance is as a result of the free offer, then I am sorry to say that, all they meant to say is, they are fine as a people and are cool paying the fees. But if there are other reasons beyond that, then issues must be directed to the appropriate quarters for proper redress.

Among the policies and proposals that were tabled before the people, they chose what they deemed a priority and that doesn’t mean the rejected policy was not good in itself.  First and foremost, the people want recognition and respect from the people from the other divide. They don’t want be seen as inferior and don’t want to be insulted at any least provocation. You could insult and taunt people for their level of impoverishness, but to insult them on the basis of where they hail from is an insult to God because we usually don’t have any influence on where and who gives birth to us. You can’t always proclaim God and hate on your Sister or Brother because that is not what God has taught us. Why then do we decry racism? Is it sheer hypocrisy or a case of what is good for the gander being wrong for the goose?

Definitely, we all cannot be on one side so it stands that we belong to different parties hence the need to even lobby, campaign and rein in people to vote, and some are just sympathizers just like you watch two neutral teams play, yet you throw your weight behind one which does not necessarily mean that you are a Supporter. Even that our feelings change and we change too. We have seen big whips cross carpet to other parties but one thing remains and I am very, very sure that we can’t change where we come from.

Once you are born an Akan, an Ewe, a Ga, a Krobo or a Japanese, you will remain as such till you die even if you assimilate in a culture that is worlds apart from your descent. I have friends all over the world; some by virtue of attending same schools, some church, programmes, meetings, being in a neighborhood and I don’t find out where they hailed from before becoming friends with them.

Some even go beyond race and some are international friends, so why should I be petty by limiting myself to tribal territories when I am actually living in the Universe and not Ghana? You will even admit that you have touted the global village mantra before, so why look so inward when it matters?

I am no one thing because I am an evolving and a progressive being. I am who you figure me out to be because as a product, I have different messages for the different markets I find myself in, and I like being objective. I like to say my mind and say it as it is because hypocrisy is a canker and a menace to society and I also believe it is why the world is so immersed in deceit.

We have at least recognized 46 languages as a nation and 9 are taught in Ghanaian Schools and different minerals deposited in different regions of the nation which must integrate us, rather than disintegrating us. There are so many inter-ethnic marriages and so many people finding themselves in other regions other than theirs, due to migration, work and what have you, so being narcissistic and ethnocentric is not the way forward. 

Ghana has chalked successes on the international scene in Politics, Sports, Health and other distinguishing facets of life as a Ghanaian team and not as ethnic groups. Ethnocentrism is a disorder and every one must desist from it because it does not make you see any good in others, and it limits your world view and outlook. See yourself as an individual rather than being important by association because at the end of the day, you are on your own and still unique.

If our politics were devoid of corruption, amassing of wealth for even generations to come, there would not be any need for all these unnecessary pursuits because everyone would have been feted and living in peace and harmony, no one would have even cared because we are certain that everything will play out well and this are the things we should be fighting against as a people. Hurling insults and fighting among ourselves would only encourage the Politicians to make his divide and rule theory come to pass as though we are not victims already.

What I want is people not being used by Politicians to extend their wicked plans of further dividing a hitherto people who are divided by territorial lines, gender, ambitions, creed and ideals. I want people to do Politics dispassionately not by virtue of where they hail from or whom they know because Ghana is bigger than any one party and that is the only way, we can leave a good Ghana in the hands of generations to come unless you are preparing to denounce your nationality. I want people to ignore politicians to their fate and make them realize that the sole aim of governance is to reach out to the people and most of all I want every Ghanaian to be each other’s brother keeper!

Post-election musings

All too soon and after a four year run, the euphoria that built up gradually and rose to a crescendo which characterized the campaigning activities of the various political parties across the length and breadth of our dear nation prior to the 2012 General Elections has calmed down and activities are getting normal if not normal already, depending on where you find yourself geographically or ideologically. 

Considering how the political terrain and activities got tensed up, it is only relieving and commendable to pat every Ghanaian at the back for making history for the nation once again thus deepening our democratic process with highlights on the Electoral Commission headed by the abled Dr. Afari Gyan, the government under whose watch the peaceful elections were held, the various political parties, the observing parties, the security services and the last but not the least, the good people of Ghana who spoke through their thumbs thereby sending a strong signal once again to the whole world out there that the Blackman is capable of doing his own things and rightly so.

However, there were some hitches and glitches which almost marred the Election process and the peaceful atmosphere in which the Ghanaian revels, but thanks to the timely intervention and the power of understanding through deliberations which has once again reposed confidence in our state institutions and entrenched our declaration to uphold democracy. There were hardly recordings of violence which hitherto was a part of our voting process and thanks to the introduction of the Biometric voter register which ensured that everyone who voted was verified and the vigilance of the various political parties and Ghanaians as a whole that has made this exercise a successful one as testified by the various national and international observer groups and the citizens as a whole.

I learnt since my elementary days that, no matter what happens, the sun will always rise from the east and your setback will not change anything, so it is imperative that we bury our differences or at most smoothen the roughened edges, garner our similarities and move on as a nation because we’ve always been a nation even before the advent of electioneering in the Country.

However, there are a few things we have to look at as a nation that wants things done right, so as to distinguish ourselves from other nations and the world as a whole and methinks, the nation is headed in no direction or at most we are headed to an unknown destination on a wild and un-tarred road if things are going to remain the way they are. 

We have accepted to join the league of nations that are already clutching on the democratic straw which is not bad in itself but it can get worse with all the inconsistencies clouting the political parties and their ideologies. Political parties are not formed on whims but rather a deep belief that, this is how things must be done and anything contrary to that will be short changing the people who will be at the receiving ends and the generations to come.

The Convention People’s Party is a leftist party also known as a Socialist movement where they believe in availing the national cake to every Ghanaian regardless of where they are coming from, while the National Patriotic party is a property owning democracy (where they tout riches) also known as a Capitalist party while the ruling party National Democratic Party (NDC) is supposed to be a right-center-leftist party which is a combination of Capitalism and Socialism. These ideals clearly tells the voter what these parties stands for but there has been an alienation from what they all believed in and it’s worrying to those of us who do not want to vote for parties based on the fact that the founder of the party or the flag bearer probably hails from our region or tribe, because all we have is Ghana and not parties that are abstract anyway.

Things have changed and in reality, social democracy cannot really be pursued to the letter and Capitalism can also not be pursued to the letter because some people will still need the help of others to even exist so most democracies are leaning to the middle where you can find the right-center-left who are trying to position themselves as best of both worlds. 

What beats my mind is, why NPP, a capitalist ideal party would rather be instituting social democratic initiatives in the form of National health Insurance scheme, National youth Employment Programme, School feeding and now free SHS when the supposed socialist party is seen doing nothing with regards to the principles they stand for or is it because the NPP seem to have pre-emptied their stand? Are they not confusing everybody? Should they not stand for what they believe in or where there is a change in ideals which is alright, should we not be informed as a people? are the parties bereft of ideas?

I am no expert on governance but I really would like the parties to re-package and communicate to us what they actually stand for and the rest of the parties who stands for practically nothing should be filed to join the bigger ranks. The EC has also been chided for several anomalies and to avert serious situations or clashes and to organize credible polls in the future, they should do their homework well to spare the average Ghanaian any post-election brouhaha.

Finally, I would like to use my piece and medium to be among the numerous well-wishers to Congratulate the President Elect John Mahama, and to also tell him to do everything possible to erode all forms of corruption in his government and the nation as a whole and this is no more negotiable and if possible, he should even pursue some of the old cases starting from within to send a strong signal to everyone that he is objective and ready to build the almost broke(n) nation. He must also be seen as a unifier and most of all he should not lose touch with the masses since it is what he and his party upholds.