Journey of a determined lost soul...

Broken dreams

Thwarted intentions

Rationed passions

Myopic visions

Closed Circles

Spiraled cycles

Riveting journeys

Weary Warriors

Orgasmic ascents

Hollow victories

Bleary eyes

Hazy sights

Blurred lines

Crowded Spaces

Veiled faces

Headless bodies

Blighted Stars

Dim Supernovas

Misplaced priorities

Diffused perceptions

Trickles Magicians

Pious Demons

Lost Vanguards

Sleepless nights

Disjointed limbs

Spotless Imprints

Yeah, everything is not written in font

Because most are stuck up in our thoughts

So take my eyes and dot my Is

A listening heart and crossed Tees

Verily, things are not what they seem

Very reason I shall employ my sixth sense.



Writer tweets @vilejah 

Churches in the Wild...

Thou saith that “for where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst” but can we go a tad further to scrutinize the passage by trying to conceptualize the wherever therein?

I am convinced beyond doubt that God with an Omni presence is everywhere even if the people thereof are gathered in the name of evil but does it imply that He will still be amidst two or three people who are rooted in His name in the middle of a certain Champs Sports Bar in Accra on a Friday night when the whole of Accra have decided to go there for a getaway? Wow!

And I almost thought good and evil could not dwell at one place…

I know God protects his people wherever they find themselves but just how did Churches resolve to convert Classrooms into places of worship? How did we as a Society allow these latter day sects to fest among us? And did you also know that they are the number one culprits for noise pollution in the City?

Pray do tell if it’s not a worrying sight to see a six classroom block, each occupied by a different Church, screaming on top of their voices through the low quality PA systems they use as though there are laurels at stake for the best noise pollutant? I bet you haven’t noticed that most Schools in the City and recently a budding trend in the villages have become places of worship by day and invariably a place of worship at night?

How do they even do it? Wait, I can hazard a guess. Firstly, the Pastor with a group of people will go and consult the Headmaster alone or together with the Board that they want to start worshiping in their facility to align with God’s directive of winning souls for Him to which the Headmaster being a religious person will assent to either by veto power or in consultation with other stakeholders. Next thing, ground rules are set with some money exchanging hands and a promise to keep by both parties.

Then comes a day of worship where you will see a group of believers coming to the school ahead of time, frantically pacing about, waiting for the extra classes that have run into the evening to finally come to an end for whatever they were worth for their Classrooms to be occupied. To worship. And when the bell goes for closing, you are sure to see these Church members practically shoving and parking the desks to one side of the classroom even before the kids leave. Some sweeping and picking up litters, others decorating the Teacher’s table with fine lace and a flowered vase and a collection box placed between the Clergy and the Congregation to continually remind everyone of how good it is to give…

What in God’s name will make about 15 or 20 people decide to establish a church as though it’s a venture? What are they teaching that is not been taught at bigger Churches; mostly from where they break off? Just visualize a Classroom and tell me how many Church members can actually squeeze in if not just a handful of Congregants? 

Methinks Church premises should exude an atmosphere of serenity, quietude and that saintly presence that draws you in and brings chagrin to the fore especially for a reckless sinner like me - that is why this sudden transformation of a classroom into a holy place within a twinkle of an eye does not cut it for me. Blame my conservatism, but I also do not believe we need too many Churches. We need some decorum in the house of the Lord because it looks like these zealots are becoming more Catholic than the Pope. 

As much as there is freedom of Association where people are entitled to their respective choices, I think society still owes it a duty to save some of these wandering souls just the way the government has taken it upon itself to save and protect smokers from the throes of wee(d) which hitherto used to be one of their right and delight.

And Just a quick question. Will there be a conflict of interest should a teacher decides to organize an extra classes for the pupils on a Sunday morning which also happens to be the Church’s Harvest?

Writer tweets @vilejah                                            

The Holy Bible!

Often times and especially for the sake of intellect where people resort to crediting their sources of information for much more credibility, the Bible is shoved aside. My observation has however revealed that the ‘let’s agree to agree’ kind of approach is mostly practiced by some Christians who should know better.

This phenomenon for which the reverse holds true is very disturbing if the trend should grow in the direction it is headed. You’d however notice that the more elitist one becomes the farther they move away from God, thus religion, and inversely the more unaware one is about their environment, the more their inclination to their faith

Maybe, it being my first point of call and fact that it was what I was predisposed to has made my lopsided influence very Grande but given the choice, I still would like to associate myself with the Christian faith for want of an overwhelming and much more plausible way of getting by in this deceitful and flexuous journey called Life.

Why is the Bible not accepted as a point of reference in intellectual discourses? What about the Bible negates the intellectualism in the so-called discourses as though it is not deep and embodies a horde of mysteries? Is it the claim that, its Author(s) are unknown or fact that some of the passages do not add up? And if all the assumptions holds true, then what other alternatives do you suggest?

Maybe I really need some Church but I seriously think something does not add up and rightfully so, because till date, Universities are awarding degrees in Theology – the study of God, religions and religious beliefs – making it equally relevant as the other disciplines these Schools offer. The Bible still remains the bestseller ever and still the most published and widely read book in the world so why the downright disregard?

I am yet to hear someone being admonished to refrain from the use of scientific terms, theories and other dependent laws or the use of anodyne tales to drive their points home. In same vein,  Manuscripts, pamphlets, unpublished books and scripts written by Professors, Seasoned Writers and Orators readily serves as a source of reference and inference only if one can provide the source and it’s alright but quoting from the Bible, the Quran or whatever one believes in earns the fellow a religious tag.

Personally, I do not care if the Bible connotes the largest organized religious group in the world and has unfounded stories by unknown Authors which makes it mysterious anyway, all I know is, it rates above all printed matters by the number of people who uphold and live by its tenets. After all, majority carries the vote, so why the fuss?

Its commonplace to hear some Christians denounce publicly that they are not religious but spiritual which sharply reminds the reader of how badly the clergy has failed the Church.  They have lost the essence of their call and are now chasing Politicians. They are busily prodding Christian singles to mingle at the detriment of the whole flock and their call. How can one be spiritual if they are not religious? I mean how?

Spirituality can only be attained through religion whether one is aware or otherwise. If there is any accepted way through which you acknowledge and revere God or the lack of it thereof, then that is your religion. Religion is simply anything one devotes his or her time to; be it God, a god, sex, football and other interests.

What makes it fashionable and acceptable to quote the works of Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud or John Watson and even modern day Steve Jobs, Floyd Mayweather but can’t quote from the Apostle Paul or John the Baptist if what one is pontificating is relevant in a discourse? 

This may be probably because we do not believe they even existed let alone take their allusions with a pinch of salt and fact that we do not want to be rendered fools by the Empiricists from the side of the other, which also explains why we shelve our Bibles throughout the week only to dust and make them handy on Sunday. Yes! Because the Pastor will possibly and routinely read another story therein.

I personally believe that it’s a fallacious life for anyone who thinks the Bible is just a collection of stories, allegories, histories, eulogies, autobiographies and at most some a textbook to be used at the Church on Sundays without an iota of belief. You are either for the Bible or not, but the lackadaisical life of not holding fast onto its tenets only makes anyone a joke, indecisive and a chorus singer. 

There is something out there, so don’t get it twisted!

 

The Writer tweets @vilejah

Hogbetsotsoza for the Niners!

Hogbetsotso which literally means 'the Hogbe exodus' is the festival celebrated by the people of the Volta region in Ghana to commemorate the scheming and escape of its people from the tyrannical rule of the infamous King Agorkoli in Notsie, Togo is here again. 

The Exodus festival also known as Hogbetsotsoza is a great time for the people because it marks a significant time in their history, serves as a time for settling disputes, getting to know each other and bringing to the fore, developmental projects. 

For the people of Anlo, all roads leads to the Anlo chief city, Anloga near Keta, where most of the activities marking the Hogbetsotsoza is being held. The event which is already underway has seen procession from School Children adorned in their colorful Kente cloths and accessories on Wednesday and the reconciliation process which forms a very important aspect of the festival on Thursday. TGIF, the festival will be thrown into a state of frenzy with the arrival of illustrious sons and daughters of the land, jamming to performances from seasoned artistes from Ghana and beyond, followed by a colorful durbar of Chiefs and their subjects on Saturday amidst drumming and dancing and the crowning of the Miss Hogbe before the inter-denominational thanksgiving to thank God for yet another successful year of its people.

Finally, the celebration every year marks the burning desire of the Anlos to remember, celebrate and re-affirm their identity as Ewes and re-enact the historic character of the journey through explicit expression of their culture.

The Anlo state is made up of 36 states with Anloga as their Chief City. They can be located in the southern part of the Volta region in Ghana with most of the towns lying along the Gulf of Guinea. Their economic activities mostly includes fishing, farming and a well-developed Kente weaving industry and until recently retailing of already made goods.

Below are some of the pictures and video footage from Anloga

 

Little Warriors chanting and dancing to war songs

School children depicting the exodus from Notsie

  

 

School girls portraying the rich culture of the Anlos

Warriors in their regalia chanting war songs

The festival also known as festival of exodus is a great time for the people because it marks a great time in their history and also serves as a time for settling disputes and also getting to know each other. There is a general cleaning in town which starts from the estuary of the Volta Region to the Mono River in Benin.

The Anlo state is made up of 36 states with Anloga as their Chief City. The Anlos can be located in the southern part of the Volta region in Ghana with most of the towns lying along the Gulf of Guinea. Their economic activities mostly includes fishing, farming and a well-developed Kente weaving industry and until recently retailing of already made goods.

This year’s festival is the second in succession after about 13years strife among the Royal Clans after the demise of their Awoamefia Togbui Adeladza II. This situation halted developments in all the state as there was no Awoamefia to push for developmental agendas until the traditional Council and the people of the Anlo State loosened up to iron out their differences for the Paramount Chief, the Awoamefia Togbui Sri III to be installed and hence the re-enactment of the festival.

However, the month long festival which is supposed to be the 50^th celebration of the Hogbe was launched at the British Council in Accra under the kingship of Togbui Sri III, the Awoamefia of the Anlos has reached its peak as its illustrious sons and daughters from around the world are returning home to witness their culture on display. 

- See more at: http://alfredkpodo.blogspot.com/2012/10/hogbetsotso-za.html#sthash.vrs0YgFd.dpuf

colorful display of culture by these School Children

A group of drummers being pulled on truck during the Procession 

A section of the some elders with Awoamefia (inset) at the Community Shrine

A cross section of the shrine where the reconciliation was held

The Awoamefia's Spokesperson and the 2ic of the Anlo Overlord, Togbui Boni addressing the reconcilers

A Sub-Chief addressing the gathering at the Shrine

Some elders preparing the herbs that will be brewed for the reconciliation ceremony

Clad in white on your left is Nyigblanua, the Chief Priest of the Anlo Traditional Area

The festival also known as festival of exodus is a great time for the people because it marks a great time in their history and also serves as a time for settling disputes and also getting to know each other. There is a general cleaning in town which starts from the estuary of the Volta Region to the Mono River in Benin.

The Anlo state is made up of 36 states with Anloga as their Chief City. The Anlos can be located in the southern part of the Volta region in Ghana with most of the towns lying along the Gulf of Guinea. Their economic activities mostly includes fishing, farming and a well-developed Kente weaving industry and until recently retailing of already made goods.

This year’s festival is the second in succession after about 13years strife among the Royal Clans after the demise of their Awoamefia Togbui Adeladza II. This situation halted developments in all the state as there was no Awoamefia to push for developmental agendas until the traditional Council and the people of the Anlo State loosened up to iron out their differences for the Paramount Chief, the Awoamefia Togbui Sri III to be installed and hence the re-enactment of the festival.

However, the month long festival which is supposed to be the 50^th celebration of the Hogbe was launched at the British Council in Accra under the kingship of Togbui Sri III, the Awoamefia of the Anlos has reached its peak as its illustrious sons and daughters from around the world are returning home to witness their culture on display. 

- See more at: http://alfredkpodo.blogspot.com/2012/10/hogbetsotso-za.html#sthash.vrs0YgFd.dpuf

Togbui Sri III, The Awoamefia of the Anlo State clad in his ceremonial dress with a symbolic staff at the Shrine

Keep looking up for more graphical information

The blogger tweets @vilejah

The festival also known as festival of exodus is a great time for the people because it marks a great time in their history and also serves as a time for settling disputes and also getting to know each other. There is a general cleaning in town which starts from the estuary of the Volta Region to the Mono River in Benin.

The Anlo state is made up of 36 states with Anloga as their Chief City. The Anlos can be located in the southern part of the Volta region in Ghana with most of the towns lying along the Gulf of Guinea. Their economic activities mostly includes fishing, farming and a well-developed Kente weaving industry and until recently retailing of already made goods.

This year’s festival is the second in succession after about 13years strife among the Royal Clans after the demise of their Awoamefia Togbui Adeladza II. This situation halted developments in all the state as there was no Awoamefia to push for developmental agendas until the traditional Council and the people of the Anlo State loosened up to iron out their differences for the Paramount Chief, the Awoamefia Togbui Sri III to be installed and hence the re-enactment of the festival.

However, the month long festival which is supposed to be the 50^th celebration of the Hogbe was launched at the British Council in Accra under the kingship of Togbui Sri III, the Awoamefia of the Anlos has reached its peak as its illustrious sons and daughters from around the world are returning home to witness their culture on display. 

- See more at: http://alfredkpodo.blogspot.com/2012/10/hogbetsotso-za.html#sthash.vrs0YgFd.dpuf

The festival also known as festival of exodus is a great time for the people because it marks a great time in their history and also serves as a time for settling disputes and also getting to know each other. There is a general cleaning in town which starts from the estuary of the Volta Region to the Mono River in Benin.

The Anlo state is made up of 36 states with Anloga as their Chief City. The Anlos can be located in the southern part of the Volta region in Ghana with most of the towns lying along the Gulf of Guinea. Their economic activities mostly includes fishing, farming and a well-developed Kente weaving industry and until recently retailing of already made goods.

This year’s festival is the second in succession after about 13years strife among the Royal Clans after the demise of their Awoamefia Togbui Adeladza II. This situation halted developments in all the state as there was no Awoamefia to push for developmental agendas until the traditional Council and the people of the Anlo State loosened up to iron out their differences for the Paramount Chief, the Awoamefia Togbui Sri III to be installed and hence the re-enactment of the festival.

However, the month long festival which is supposed to be the 50^th celebration of the Hogbe was launched at the British Council in Accra under the kingship of Togbui Sri III, the Awoamefia of the Anlos has reached its peak as its illustrious sons and daughters from around the world are returning home to witness their culture on display. 

- See more at: http://alfredkpodo.blogspot.com/2012/10/hogbetsotso-za.html#sthash.vrs0YgFd.dpuf

To be a man should be easy!

It’s not easy to be a man is a cliché I have been made to internalize since childhood but going forward, I have come to realize that it was one of the many ways the men have employed to stay ahead of the women pack. At least it used to be true in the past but I think times have changed and it has ceased to apply.

In times past, women were housewives or helped out with family businesses and were mostly

excused because of their biological make up. Women take time off to breed babies, take time off during menstrual periods since most are characterized by sicknesses. They also take time off to take care of the house which in itself is a full time job; bathing two or more children at least twice a day, bathing and taking care of themselves to still look attractive and youthful for the men, do all the family laundry, make sure there is always food, patch every torn garment there is, make sure their men are sexually satisfied every time their libido requires to be attended to, keep the house clean and orderly and the list is endless.

In view of the foregoing it could also be argued that providence for the house exclusively became a man’s job. A man makes sure even against all odds that his family is well fed, they have a roof that wont leak which also dodouble as a chimney, a place to sleep, has to ensure that there is enough food for the household and solely responsible for their protection against any harm. The man is compelled to be the hero of the family, to take good decisions whose benefits will inure to the family’s benefit and the list again is exhaustive.

Fast forwarded to now and nothing has really changed except a subtle agitation in the women folk to really have a feel of what manhood feels like – acting and feeling like men, thus usurping most of their roles. Even though it smacks of pulling leverage, most women are now working in one form or the other to contribute in the upkeep of the house or to at least fend for themselves which used to be the preserve of the men. Most women are now educated and appreciably intelligent and are helping their husbands/men build empires.

And in spite of some limitations in their famed “what men can do, women can do better” mantra, which some of them like to brandish at every instance, it can be argued out that women work like their male counterparts and are exposed to every danger like everyone else. Their tendency to be damned by irresponsible men who are not men enough to take care of their own children and the crudeness they are exposed to when ruthless men rape them has even made them more endangered than the mythic Dinosaurs.

Aside the natural forces women have to face on every day basis, they also face discrimination in all forms. It is a known fact that women are harassed, intimidated and exploited for sex at work places and even at Churches. They are also beaten, abused, assaulted and subjected to all kinds of ordeal by men. It is also notable how the womenfolk are relegated to the back of the burner except for the new breed who would not allow these gender cards to be played in their faces – the Feminists.

Whereas, men are preferred than their female counterparts when it comes to employment, they are also faced with a glass ceiling that does not allow them to really climb the career ladder or rise to higher positions in their various endeavors - and while they are still being tagged as weak, panic-stricken, impatient in some cases, their mortality rate still stands higher than that of their male counterparts but I am yet to really hear them coin anything like being a woman is herculean or a curse.

So my question which has become the thrust of this write-up is, if women go through all of these things just to be accepted as women of good standing, why then would their male counterparts be shouting from the rooftops with Chinese megaphones reminding everybody how difficult it is to be a man? Is it to court the sympathy of the womenfolk who already have a lot on their plates?

In the face of all these oddities, methinks being a man is the easiest. I also think being a man should comparatively be easier because while at it, they don’t have to periodically bleed amidst agonizing pains in the middle of a meeting. Men also have an array of jobs to choose from that is why until now, when a woman ventures into a male dominated field, their profession is preceded by their gender such as Female Driver, Female Carpenter, Female Electrician, Female Boss et al.

Finally, I think it is time for the men to look at the positive sides of their gender and count themselves blessed by not pathetically clinging on to the cliché “to be a man is not easy” because I maintain that being a man should be easy by all means necessary at least while society is still patriarchal.

 writer tweets @vilejah